Midge Walkers

Walk No.  189

Astley Park Trail, Chorley. 01-01-25  

Once again a new year has crept up on us and we are at the commencement  of the groups 15th year of walking. Despite the previous couple of days  having been decidedly wet and the forecast for today not that much better,  at the time of meeting, 10.30 a.m., whilst being a little over-cast and cool, it  was nevertheless dry.  

Leaving the car park, the 19 adults and 3 dogs passed the hall following the  footpath to the right, viewing the land sloping away in front of us and a  feature known as a HaHa or Hidden Wall. Taking the path down the left side  of the bowling green into the tree lined area, we reached a point crossing the  River Chor, which today was particularly fast flowing. Further progress  brought us to a left turn and immediately to a construction labelled as “The  Lost Fountain”

Following this some-what muddy path through the woods we passed  features designated as The Ice House and the site of a carding mill in use  around 1780 which drew its power from the river. Emerging from the wooded  area back into the park and turning right, we followed the pathway around  the upper area of a grassland to arrive at a Sensory Garden where we  paused for photographs.

Moving towards the Park Rd Gates via the Memorial Cenotaph, we  continued along the stone path, passing high above the reed beds designed  to improve the rivers water quality. The path continued along the outer  perimeter of the park to a point adjacent to the lake where the elaborate  fountain created its display in front of the ancient hall.

Continuing around the loop of the path and returning towards the car park, a  goodly number of us adjourned to the cafe for sustenance whilst the others  departed homewards. Apart from a very brief shower, we had escaped the  rain, so the 3 mile distance was adjudged to be a success, and a good start  the New Year.  

We are grateful to those who turned up and made it all worth while and given  us the new idea of setting up a dog walking group which we just need to  work out the rates to asses the financial viability.