Garstang Walking Festival 2022

G A R S TA N G

G WALKINa festiv l

2022

8 may 30 april -

Nine days of walks for everyone to explore Garstang and its beautiful countryside 01995 602125 · garstangtic@wyre.gov.uk www.wyre.gov.uk/garstangwalkingfestival

Coordinated by

Th e fr ie n d s of

Supported by

Welcome to the 2022 Garstang Walking Festival, coordinated by the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival and supported by Wyre Council.

With over 40 walks for all ages and abilities, the festival is the perfect chance to experience the best of springtime in the countryside around Garstang, rural Wyre, the Forest of Bowland and the Fylde Plain. Choose from a huge range of walks, including the three day Wyre Way Challenge, Nordic walking, easy access short walks, family activities, evening walks, wildlife strolls, heritage ambles, dog friendly trails and everything in between.

Booking is essential on all walks unless otherwise stated.

How to book

WALKING GRADES

Making a payment

All - Relatively flat, surfaced paths, no stiles, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, may include road crossings.

You can book your place on the activities at: Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Square, Park Hill Road, Garstang, Lancashire, PR3 1EF. Map reference: SD494455 What3words : ///parked.interest.dollar Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30am to 4:30pm 01995 602125 · garstangtic@wyre.gov.uk Please pay by: Phone using a debit or credit card by calling the Visit Garstang Centre on 01995 602125 Exact cash in the Visit Garstang Centre Cheque made payable to Wyre Council Please send cheques to Countryside Walks Bookings, Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Square, Garstang, PR3 1EF Any activity that requires booking should be paid for in advance and we are not able to give refunds. For bookings with other organisations please use the details supplied in the listings in the brochure.

Poor Weather

Please note a ranger/leader will be at the start of an activity whatever the weather. In extreme conditions a decision will be taken on the day by the leader of the group whether or not to cancel.

To help you decide which is the walk for you, wherever possible on the walk listing an approximate time has been given along with a walking grade, which indicates the difficulty of the walk and the type of terrain you may encounter.

Easy - Relatively level ground, fields, lanes and tracks, possibly with some gentle slopes, stiles, livestock.

Moderate - Uneven ground, fields, lanes and tracks with some moderate slopes, expect stiles/livestock.

Hard - Uneven ground, fields, lanes and tracks with some steeper climbs, expect stiles/livestock.

Very Hard - Limited paths, rough walking, steep climbs, expect stiles/livestock.

Tramper suitable - Walk suitable for people using trampers

Visit www.wyre.gov.uk to stay updated on the latest government Coronavirus guidance, and find up to date information on any changes to the festival programme.

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Morecambe Bay Fleetwood

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Hambleton

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This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.

Wyre Council Licence No. 100018720 2004.

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WALK LOCATIONS The map above shows the approximate locations of the meeting points for each walk or activity in the Festival.

Note these may not necessarily be the start of the walk as for some walks transport (private) is used from the meeting point to the walk start.

Full details of start locations will be given at time of booking.

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Location 1 Abbeystead 2 Bleasdale 3 Calder Vale 4 Churchtown 5 Claughton 6 Cobble Hey 7 Conder Green 8 Dolphinholme 9 Dunsop Bridge 10 Garstang

11 Knott End 12 Pilling 13 Rossall Point, Fleetwood 14 St Michaels-on-Wyre 15 Scorton 16 Winmarleigh

9

J32 J1

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Walk Number G12, G26, G27 G21, G22, G23, G24 G11, G29, G40 G37 G34 G28, G35 G10, G13 G9, G25 G33 G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G14, G15, G20 G41 G8 G19, G36, G42 G1 G30, G31, G32, G38, G39 G16, G17, G18

Garstang walking Festival Programme 2022

Booking is essential on all walks unless otherwise stated. Bookings should be made through the Visit Garstang centre unless otherwise stated in the listing description. Contact information can be seen on page 2.

Saturday 30 April Wyre Way Challenge Day 1 (G1)

9am – 4pm Wyre area Hard, 13.5 miles Cost: £10 From St. Michael’s we take transport to Knott End. We follow the riverbank towards Out Rawcliffe then depart from the river and cross through farmland to St. Michael’s.

Garstang to the Fells and Back (G2)

9am – 4:30pm Garstang area Very Hard, 15 miles Cost: £5 / £4 From Garstang we rise through pastures and villages to high moorland, taking in some fantastic views before returning.

Garstang Now and Then (G3)

10:30am – 2pm Garstang area Moderate, 5 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A legstretcher exploring the environs around Garstang that have made it great.

Family Friendly Wildlife Tales Walk (G4)

11am – 12:30pm Garstang area Easy, 1 mile Cost: Free A family friendly short walk spotting wildlife along the way, before returning to the library for some plant and wildlife tales. Book in person at Garstang Library or email garstang. library@lancashire.gov.uk

Nordic Walking Taster Walk (G5)

2pm – 3pm Garstang area Easy, 1.5 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A chance to try Nordic walking. Poles can be provided.

Citizen Science Wildlife Walk (G6)

3pm – 4pm Garstang area Easy, 1 mile Cost: Free A short walk and wildlife challenge with the Wyre Rivers Trust and Wyre Ranger team

spotting wildlife as part of the Lancashire City Nature Challenge. Bring your phone, and download and register with the i-naturalist App before you come.

Garstang Bat Walk (G7)

7:30pm – 9:30pm Garstang area Easy, 2 miles Cost: £4 / £3 An accessible walk along the banks of the River Wyre, looking for bats and learning about the diversity of nocturnal wildlife.

Tramper, wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Suitable for all ages, dogs on leads welcome.

Sunday 1 may Dawn Chorus (G8)

6am - 8am Over Wyre area Easy, 0.5 miles Cost: Free Join the Countryside team on this early morning walk, where hopefully we will hear the chorus of bird song on International Dawn Chorus day. Bring binoculars, plenty of warm clothing and a hot drink. We will keep records of wildlife we see as part of the Lancashire City Nature Challenge. Tramper accessible.

Wyre Way Challenge Day 2 (G9)

9am – 3pm Wyre area Hard, 11 miles Cost: £10 From Dolphinholme we take transport to St. Michael’s. We follow the river and cross fields through to Churchtown, Garstang and Scorton to reach Dolphinholme.

Glasson Dock and Galgate: 2 villages with a shared history (G10)

10am – 2pm Glasson and Galgate area Moderate, 7.5 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A walk through both villages seeing how their joint history has shaped them both.

Bluebell Walk (G11)

11am – 12 noon Calder Vale area Moderate, 2 miles Cost: Free A short walk through a beautiful Bluebell wood, a short steep climb to St John’s Church and then an easy country walk along farm tracks back to the Village Hall for afternoon tea (extra charge). WC at start. Bring drink, binoculars, camera. No need to book.

Monday 2 May Wyre Way Challenge Day 3 (G12)

9am – 3pm Abbeystead area Hard, 10.5 miles Cost: £10 From Abbeystead we take transport to Dolphinholme. We follow the river into Abbeystead, then to Tarnbrook, over the Forest of Bowland moorland to Marshaw, returning to Abbeystead.

Coast and Countryside (G13)

9:30am – 2pm Glasson area Moderate, 8.5 miles Cost: £5 / £4 Circular walk from Conder Green via Glasson Dock, the coastal footpath passes the remains of Cockersands Abbey and then on to Thurnam Hall before returning to the start.

Tuesday 3 May Winmarleigh Moss Walk (G16)

9:30am – 2:30pm Winmarleigh area Moderate, 7-8 miles Cost: £5 / £4 Walking from the Winmarleigh church hall we will head out through lowland farmland towards Winmarleigh Moss. A hidden gem, but the largest of Lancashire’s low raised bogs. Here we will hopefully see native flora and fauna associated with bog habitat whilst learning about how crucial peatland habitats help in the battle against climate change.

Leaving Winmarleigh moss we will make our way back using local lanes and footpaths, through the Fylde lowland plain with views out to Bowland and the Lakeland fells.

Over-Wyre Canal Wildlife Walk (G17)

10am – 12 noon Winmarleigh area Moderate, 3 miles Cost: £4 / £3 Circular walk from Winmarleigh Church, taking in rural footpaths that link in with the Lancaster Canal. Along the way we will spot the farmland and wetland wildlife of the area. Join us for a brew and cakes at the Church afterward (extra charge).

Winmarleigh – the little village with a big history (G18)

Re-discover Garstang Millennium Green (G14) 1pm – 4:30pm 10am – 12:30pm Garstang Millennium Green Easy, 0.7 miles Cost: Free A discovery trail was prepared of Millennium Green nearly 5 years ago. Families are invited along to explore the trail and help note any changes over time. Drop in any time from 10am, last session 12 noon. Bring pen/pencil.

No need to book.

Wellbeing Walk – Garstang (G15)

10:30am – 11:30am Visit Garstang Centre Easy Cost: Free Join our volunteer walk leaders for a relaxed walk along the footpaths and tracks of Garstang’s countryside and Market Town.

Taking in fresh air and enjoying the views of the River Wyre, Lancaster Canal, farm fields and the Bowland hills. An easy walk lasting up to 1 hour, accessible to all. No need to book.

Winmarleigh area Easy, 2 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A walk including a visit to Winmarleigh Hall and St Luke’s Church to learn about their history. Refreshments (extra charge) will be available in the Church.

Rossall Point - A look at the natural, military and social history of the area (G19) 1:30pm – 3pm Fleetwood area Easy, 2.5 miles Cost: Donation A look at the natural, military and social history of the Southern edge of Morecambe Bay. To book visit Fleetwood Museum reception or call on 01253 876621. Reception open 10:30am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

Evening Ramble (G20)

6:30pm - 8pm Garstang area Moderate, 5 miles Cost: Free An evening walk around Garstang and Barnacre looking for Bluebells. No need to book.

Wednesday 4 May

Thursday 5 May

Wednesday is Bleasdale Day with all events being based around the Bleasdale Parish Hall. Come for the day and enjoy a variety of events. Refreshments will be available (extra charge) in the Parish Hall after each walk or activity and toilets are available.

Dolphinholme to Abbeystead (G25)

Wild Bowland Valleys (G21)

9am – 5pm Bleasdale area Very Hard, 15 miles Cost: £5 / £4 A challenging circular walk exploring the Western part of the Bowland Fells. Starts from Bleasdale Parish Hall and includes Fair Snape Fell, Saddle Fell, Hareden Intake, Langden Intake, Langden Castle and Fiendsdale Head. There are steep ascents and descents, walking over rough moorland, crossing peat hags (bogs), with a fair level of height exposure on part of the route.

A Ramble About Bleasdale (G22)

9am – 2:30pm Bleasdale area Hard, 8 miles, some inclines Cost: £5 / £4 A lowland circular walk at the foot of Fair Snape Fell, winding through farmland with views out across the Wyre District. There are plenty of places to stop for a cuppa and a bite to eat to take in the landscape. Bring water, sandwiches and a flask if you wish.

Dogs on leads welcome.

Wildlife of the Upper Brock (G23)

10am – 12 noon Bleasdale area Easy, 2 miles Cost: £4 / £3 Exploring one of the Brock rivers that runs from the Bleasdale fells in search of freshwater and riverside wildlife. We may even do some river dipping. Waterproof footwear/wellies advised.

9:30am – 2:30pm Abbeystead area Moderate, 7.5 miles Cost: £5 / £4 A steady hike through a mix of woodland and farmland with the opportunity to spot wildlife at Abbeystead Reservoir. There will be opportunity for coffee breaks at Long Wood and the Reservoir and a chance to take a look at the wildlife along the route. The trail runs through woodland so walking boots advised, along with packed lunch and a drink.

River Catchment Walk (G26)

9:30am – 3:30pm Abbeystead area Hard, 7.5 miles Cost: £5 / £4 A guided walk in the upper Wyre catchment to view some of the work the Wyre Rivers Trust have been undertaking to reduce downstream flood risk.

Abbeystead Wildlife Walk (G27)

10am – 1:30pm Abbeystead area Moderate, 3-4 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A walk around Abbeystead looking at flora and fauna, on roads, farms tracks and through woodland.

Brock Valley Ramble (G28)

10:30am – 3pm Claughton area Moderate, 7.5 miles Cost: £5 / £4 Circular walk from Cobble Hey via the attractive Brock Valley.

Sullom Evening Walk (G29)

5:30pm – 8:30pm Calder Vale area Moderate, 4.25 miles Cost: £4 / £3 Evening walk from Calder Vale to the trig point on Sullom, to which there is normally no public access. Some steep ascents and descents.

Bleasdale – What The Papers Said (G24) Friday 6 May 10:30am – 1pm Bleasdale area Easy, 3 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A gentle walk taking in the beautiful Bleasdale scenery enhanced by stories from the local newspapers in the area throughout the 20th century. View an exhibition of photographs in the Parish Hall.

Tea/coffee and homemade cakes will be served at an extra cost after the walk.

Beautiful Bowland (G30)

9:00am – 5:00pm Scorton area Hard, 15 miles Cost: £5 / £4 A stunning walk taking in Nicky Nook fell, Harrisend Fell and public footpaths to Abbeystead and back, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland.

Nicky Nook Ramble (G31)

9am – 1pm Scorton area Moderate, 6 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A beautiful hill walk with brilliant views of the Wyre District and coastline from the top of Nicky Nook. After a short break on the hilltop descend to Grize Dale bridge and reservoir through the woods and back to Scorton village. Dogs on leads welcome.

Bring snack and drink.

A Journey up Grizedale (G32)

9:30am – 3:30pm Scorton area Hard, 12 miles, 550m ascent Cost: £5 / £4 Follow the beautiful Grizedale Brook to its source at Grizedale Head in the Bowland fells. Progress through pasture land and wooded valleys to wild upland moors and back, passing the Grizedale and Barnacre reservoirs and water catchment system.

email Jane at the Bay for more information: jgodfrey@lancswt.org.uk

Follow the Faithful (G37)

10am – 3:30pm Churchtown area Moderate, 6.5 miles Cost: £5 / £4 Within an hour’s walk of St Helens Church we will reach the Quaker Meeting House and enjoy its quiet simplicity, plus coffee (for a small donation). Followed by an amble around Garstang, taking in a variety of churches and enjoying their history.

Sunday 8 May Nordic Walking Experienced Walk (G38)

Saturday 7 May

10am – 2pm Scorton area Moderate, 7 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A 7 mile circular Nordic walk for experienced Nordic walkers. You must have attended both a Taster Nordic Walk and a Novice Nordic Walk in order to take part.

Of Roman Legions and Pendle Witches (G33)

Springtime Wildlife around Nicky Nook (G39)

9am – 5pm Dunsop Bridge Very Hard, 14 miles, 500m ascent Cost: £5 / £4 The walk skirts to the east of the Bowland Fells before picking up the Roman Road to the head of Whitendale, then following the River Dunsop back.

Claughton Estate Walk (G34)

10am – 12 noon Claughton area Moderate, 1-2 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A special walk with the owners of the estate taking a look at its historical landscape including a visit to lovely Bluebell woodland which is also a heronry. Bring your binoculars as the herons (if present) are perched at the very tops of the trees!

Lapwings and Hares Tramper Trek (G35)

10am – 12:30pm Scorton area Moderate, 6 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A stroll from Scorton over Nicky Nook into the lovely valley of Grizedale taking in some upland habitats and woodland glades. Dogs on leads welcome.

Bluebell Walk (G40)

11am – 12 noon Calder Vale area Moderate, 2 miles Cost: Free A short walk through a beautiful Bluebell wood, a short steep climb to St John’s Church and then an easy country walk along farm tracks back to the Village Hall for afternoon tea (extra charge). WC at start. Bring drink, binoculars, camera. No need to book.

10am – 12:30pm Claughton area Moderate/Hard, 2-3 miles Cost £4/ £3 Join the countryside rangers to look for lapwings (and hopefully their chicks) and maybe a hare or two. Suitable for people using Trampers.

Knott End Estuary and Bay (G41)

Let’s Be Kind to the Birds (G36)

7:45pm – 9pm Fleetwood area Moderate, 3 miles Cost: Free A short inspirational walk with the Fleetwood Wellbeing Way team, following the route of the wellbeing way. A warming brew will be available at The Mount Pavilion.

12 noon – 1:30pm Fleetwood area Easy, 2 miles Cost: Free A guided tour to discuss the plight of our breeding birds along Fleetwood’s seafront.

Wheelchair and pushchair accessible. To book please visit www.thebay.org.uk or

2pm – 4pm Knott End area Easy, 3 miles Cost: £4 / £3 A walk looking at some of the history and the views around Knott End.

Sunset Walk - Moments on the Mount (G42)

We would like to dedicate this year’s festival to the memory of Les Fragle, whose love and passion for Garstang Walking Festival was unrivalled. During his many years as a Wyre Volunteer Ranger and Friend of Garstang Walking Festival, Les remained deeply passionate about promoting the wonderful countryside around Garstang and Wyre. Les was at the heart of Garstang Walking Festival and committed to its delivery: not content with being a guided walk and health walk leader, he also helped out with the behind the scenes administration of the festival, was a key part of the booking team, provided vehicle back up support to the walks during the festival and helped In to coordinate the programme each year. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, fellow walk leaders, the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival, the Wyre Coast and Countryside team and those festival customers who met him.

For regularly updated information about what’s going on in Wyre visit www.discoverwyre.co.uk For information on Garstang visit: www.visitgarstang.com For information on the Forest of Bowland visit: www.forestofbowland.com Wyre Council, Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire FY6 7PU. Tel: 01253 891000 www.wyre.gov.uk Photography throughout by Mike Coleran.

If you would like this information in large print or an alternative language, please call Wyre Council on 01253 891000.

Disclaimer

The information contained within this publication is given in good faith on the basis of information submitted to Wyre Council. Wyre Council cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. Although efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the publication at the time of going to press, changes can occur and it is advisable to contact the booking office prior to the event to confirm the information provided.

loving memory of Les Fragle