Walks around Barnoldswick

More visitors to Lower Park Marina enjoy the canalside

Thornton_in_Craven Circular

Park close to the Church of St Mary, Thornton_in_Craven. Walk into the village, turn left at the junction, walk past the Old Post Office(now a residential property). From the Old Post Office turn into Cam Lane and here we join the Pennine Way, continue along the lane which eventually turns into a cart track At the top of Cam Lane, where the houses stop, is a sign marked Pennine Way East Marton 1.5 miles. Continue on past Old Cote Farm(now a residence), here you can look across the beautiful valley, and maybe hear the curlew as it wheels above, its captivating call echoing across the valley.

Proceed down the lane, past a farm house on the left and farm buildings on the right, to a yellow sign proclaiming 'Langber Farm, Private Road', and directing you through a gate to follow the pennine Way up and across a field. Follow this route 'til you get to the gate with a white arrow, go through the gate and now go downhill, at the bottom of which is a stream with a small stone footbridge, cross this, through another gate (yellow arrow ) proceed uphill now, past a stone marker in the field, to a stile with Pennine Way markers. Now going downhill you can see the line of the canal demarkated by a row of trees, giving habitat for birds and other wildlife. The gates passed through have been erected by the Countryside Volunteers.

There is a further metal gate to go through before you join the canal. A word of warning, at the time of writing the area immediately preceding you joining the towpath is very muddy, almost bog land,( May 09 ) and care should be taken here.

For those turning left on the canal towpath there are a number of options. You can walk along this beautiful section of the canal to bridge number 159, then if you wish regain the road here and proceed back to Thorton in Craven village. For those walking further along the towpath, you first come to Greenberfield Locks, which offer a parking area and refreshments. Look for the pumping station, a small red brick building, with an outfall to the canal.

Walk on past Greenberfield Locks, and now getting into the built up area of Barnoldswick. Pass the Rolls Royce factory, once belonging to the Rover Motor Company, and now manufacturing world beating aero engines. Carry on to the gate just before Long Ing Bridge ( 153), where you cross to the other bank of the canal, and pass the Silentnight factory. More pleasant green countryside to pass Lower Park Marina, where you can get a cup of tea and sit by the canal surrounded by boats.

Continue along the canal towpath to reach Salterforth. The Anchor Inn is an interesting place, notice the difference in floors between front and back. Turn left along Salterforth Lane, cross the Kelbrook/Barnoldswick Road, and head up Cross Lane. Continue on, Then take the signposted footpath to pass Bawmier Farm. You are now in open country, keep to the signposted path, over a number of stiles, eventually crossing a small stream. You come to a signposted gate giving access to Earby Road, but keep to the country path to a stile in the top left of the field. Over this and stride out towards St Marys Church, our starting point.

 

 

 

 

Lower Park's new moorings just before opening May 09

© 2009 penninescripts

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