Walking with a Purpose Catforth Circular

This issue’s walk sees us up at the north end of the branch area, just north of Preston in the villages of Woodplumpton and Catforth and is a relatively easy, flexible route taking in one of the area’s newest arrivals on the pub scene and one of the oldest; both are dog-friendly establishments. Due to limited opening hours, if you want to visit both pubs this is a walk for the weekend.

Useful Information

Distance: 5 miles (walking boots/shoes are advisable)

OS Map: Explorer 286 Blackpool & Preston farm buildings take the footpath to your left. 2

The Galley, located at the Swillbrook Boatyard on Catforth Road opened in May 2022 and is an extension of the boatyard business, a canalside café bar located on the banks of the Lancaster Canal. For those of you who know the area, this used to be the Jolly Roger Tea Shop. There are four handpumps with local cask ales being sourced mainly from Rock Solid Brewery in Blackpool together with a range of craft ales, European lagers, wine and gins. Food is also served (described as light bites). This is a lovely, relaxed and friendly bar in a picturesque setting open Friday to Sunday during the SpringAutumn months. It is due to reopen on 3rd March and will open just on a Friday initially so best to check ahead to avoid disappointment.

The Wheatsheaf at Woodplumpton has been open for business since the 1700s and lies at the heart of the village. It’s a great community pub and as you’d expect, full of character with low ceilings, an open fire, exposed beams and a partly flagged floor. Good food is served along with traditional cask ales, and in the summer, there is a lovely beer garden in which to relax after a gentle stroll.

Best foot forward then…this walk can realistically be started from either Catforth, Woodplumpton or the Swillbrook Boatyard. I started off in Catforth parking opposite the village hall on the main road in the layby. For those travelling by public transport, the bus stop is just few yards up the road (no.74 Preston to

Blackpool bus, which offers a half hourly service most days and hourly on a Sunday).

Walk along the pavement past the bus stop and School Lane on your right and continue for a short distance. On your right you’ll pass Red Lion Barn and Red Lion Farm;

Climb over the stile and to your right you can see an owl box, and to the left another stile, which you cross, then head down towards the farm where the path takes you around the back and onto the farm drive through a gap in the hedge. Turn right and this then leads you continue walking until you find a public footpath sign on your left just before the junction with Bay Horse Lane. 1

Cross the stile and walk across the field keeping the hedge and brook on your left. The path soon turns to the left and leads you to a narrow country road called Benson Lane. Walk straight ahead and along the lane until a farm track leads off to the right just after a short row of old brick-built houses.

Take the track walking past a dog agility training area on your left, and just a couple of yards before the up to a hump-back bridge over the Lancaster canal. 3

Once on the towpath, turn to the left and follow the path until you reach Swillbrook Boatyard and the Galley.

Just on the road above Swillbrook Bridge, opposite the entrance to the boatyard you’ll see an old stone residence, once the home of the Red Lion Inn now called Red Lion Cottage. 4

At this point you have a choice, so it would be worthwhile popping into the Galley for some liquid refreshment at the very least whilst you make up your mind. Afterwards, either continue along the canal to the next bridge and go right towards the farm and Whinneyfield Lane, or get off the canal at the bridge by the Galley, cross over to the other side and walk along Rosemary Lane for a short distance until you get to the junction with Crown Lane. Turn left following the public footpath sign and walk along to the end, where you’ll find yourself in a farmyard. Go through the gate in front of you and go straight ahead across the field, through a further metal gate and head down to Woodplumpton Brook where there’s a wooden bridge in the left corner. Cross over and follow the farm track to the left heading up towards two large houses and the farm beyond. A short distance along you’ll see a footpath/track joining from the left (*take note, as this is the return route back to Catforth).

Walk on between the buildings bearing right onto Whinneyfield Lane. This then leads you into the village of Woodplumpton. At the junction, turn right and follow the road to the Wheatsheaf.

Back in the 19 th century there used to be another pub in the village in a row of cottages where the pub’s car park now is…it was called the Red Lion, the sign clearly visible on the postcard image.

After replenishing your energy supplies and quenching your thirst, head back the way you came along Whinneyfield Lane 5 until you reach the footpath branching off to the right, which you should take, heading back to the Lancaster Canal. Within a short distance you’ll cross the canal. Continue across the field (not on the farm track to your right) and cross the rickety bridge over the brook. 6 Look across the field and you’ll see some large farm buildings in the distance. Head towards them and as you get nearer, you’ll see a wood footbridge to the left. Walk over and the path will lead you out onto School Lane.

Turn left onto School Lane and return to the junction with Catforth Road, where you’ll find your vehicle and the bus stop. This is a lovely rural walk in an area many aren’t so familiar with but well worth a visit.