Monday 26th Oct. 5.5miles. Barnacre.
I was kicking myself by lunchtime today. The forecast was for rain but there was hardly any and now the sun was shining. Could easily have had a meet up with friends for a day’s walk. My new boots haven’t arrived yet, tomorrow?, so walking in trainers I need to stay on dry ground which is difficult around here at the moment. A cursory look at the map and I had inspiration for a quick afternoon’s outing on lanes around Barnacre, a rural area to the south and east of Garstang.
In less than half an hour’s drive I’m parked by another deserted looking pub, the Kenlis Arms. originally an 1856 hunting lodge,
The walk itself is on quiet lanes on the edge of the Bowland Hills passing a few farms and lots of sheep.
My first real objective is the Church of All Saints, yet another designed by Austin and Paley of Lancaster, 1905. Set in a peaceful woodland area its red roof stands out across the fields and its tower is castle-like. A lane takes me down to cross the motorway and main railway line.
Forge Lane passes the old forge where the family are splitting logs with a hired machine, looks great fun.
The lane continues down to a ford on the swollen Wyre but fortunately there is a nearby footbridge. This whole low-lying area is part of the local flood defences when water can be diverted into the fields to reduce the flow downstream. I walk through the Millennium Green past the hydraulic weirs for controlling the flow of the Wyre. It must be quite a sight to see the floodplain filling up. I’ve been this way before on The Wyre Way.
A diversion into Garstang’s High Street highlights several interesting buildings.
I walk over the twin arched bridge on the Wyre and a little later drop down to the Lancaster Canal for about a mile of quiet towpath back to my car.
A walk snatched from nothing and dry feet at the end of it.
*****
Stunning architecture – never seems to want to stop raining up here.
Yes glad I got out yesterday.
Miserable today.
We have been fortunate most of the summer with decent weather, I don’t think lockdown will be so easy in the winter months.
I think I have a Barnacre walk in one of my walking books….starting at that pub! Is it shut for good?
Not sure, you can’t tell these days. Not much sign of life at 5pm when I returned. Good walk nontheless.
Did look a nice walk. For some reason, rarely go to Garstang…
Good stuff. We ought to have a completion to find the oldest date sign above the old doorways.
Good idea.
I do like a circular walk and this looks like a nice one. I like Garstang too, I think it’s a lovely little place 🙂
Perfect circular. Plenty of interest and nice rural scenery .