Midge Walkers

Walk No.  181

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St Leonards Parish Boundary 12-05-24  


The last time we undertook this walk was in March 2022, but this time for  various reasons there were to be various modifications, some of which were  outside of our control. The starting point was Booths at Penwortham, where  7 members assembled setting off at 13.50 p.m. Leaving via the petrol station  end, we crossed on to th opposite side of Golden Way, branching left for a  short distance and then following a path through on to Harrison Lane which  led us to Lindle Lane where we turned left. Here we were reminded of the former Lancashire Constabulary stables which have now been relocated. At the junction with Pope Lane, Nutters Platt Farm dates back to 1653, at  this junction we turned right, continuing to Green Lane on the left.

As the road turned right, we continued straight on along a farm track until  attaining a gate on the left gave us access to follow a hedge-line on our right  culminating in a footbridge. Crossing this and over a short field, a stile  brought us to the side of Penwortham Way. On the opposite side steps down  to another stile led us into a field which at some stage will become a housing  development. A third stile allowed us to exit on to Bee Lane which we  followed along its full length to its junction with Leyland Road where we  turned left, crossing to the opposite side of the road.  

Continuing in the direction of Preston, we passed the now boarded-up  Sumpter Horse pub and continued towards Skew Bridge. A footpath running  parallel to the rail line took us in to a field and a slope down towards a very  large house under construction brought us to Factory Lane and what has  become our recently favoured refreshment stop at the Vernon’s Cricket  Ground. Sitting in the sunshine we regained the vitality necessary to resume.

Crossing the grounds to pass under a former rail line we climbed a set of  steps to reach a path leading us under the main North/South Line and  continued to join Leyland Road opposite the Middleforth fire station where  we turned right. After a few yards we turned into the first road on the right,  Hawkhurst Rd, and continued to the first left turn. This route was due to  flood defence work taking place all along the river bank. Talbot Road was the diversional route until arriving at Havelock Road on the right, where we  gained access through the roadworks on to Riverside road and turned left  towards the Old Pack Horse Bridge,

Making our way through to Leyland Road we crossed to take the footpath at  the side of the Methodist Church. After several hundred yards a set of steps  allowed us to climb to cross a footbridge over Golden Way and subsequently  turn left towards Pope Lane and take a well known route back to our starting  point.

We arrived back at 4.30 p.m with the temperature still at 24 degrees and an  agreed a distance of 5 miles. This had definitely been the hottest day of the  year so far, but we weren’t in a race. So whilst few in number, todays  participants were all well satisfied with the walk content and the opportunity  it had once again given to enjoy the great outdoors and the scenery on our  doorsteps.