Beacon Fell, circular woodland walk.
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Join us for a ten mile woodland/river valley walk around, up and over Beacon Fell.
We will start off walking alongside the river Brock in a wooded valley, hopefully full of early spring flowers, we will cross the Waddecar Scout camp continuing up river. We will then make our way gradually upwards and out of the woodland to venture across open farmland towards Beacon Fell. Walking through the woodland on the Fell up to the walks summit, with spectacular views of Parlick Fell and hopefully out over Morcambe bay, if the weather is good to us. Keep an eye out as we will be passing sculptures and wildlife along the way. Making our way down through the country park to the visitors centre, we will stop for lunch with more views out over Morecambe Bay and hopefully beyond. On a clear day it is possible to see the Isle of Mann. The cafe at the visitors centre serves sandwiches, barm cakes, soup, cakes and other small snacks, as well as hot and cold drinks. After lunch we drop back down from the Fell and head across the fields we were just overlooking, be prepared for some very muddy bits here, before once again joining the river and walking back up stream through more wooded areas and riverside meadows to make our way back to the starting point.
Though there are a few stiles to navigate, feel free to bring along your furry friends, please remember to keep them under control, on a lead through any fields with livestock in and to clean up after them, thanks. (There are no bins at the start/finish point car park, so will need to take your poo bags home with you).
Beacon Fell is an isolated hill 2 miles (3 km) south of the main range of hills in the Forest of Bowland. Although, at 266 metres (873 ft) above sea level, small compared with the neighbouring fells, its position offers commanding views over the flat plain of the Fylde and Morecambe Bay to the west, as well as the Ribble valley to the south.
The high visibility of the fell made it an ideal location for a warning beacon. A beacon on the fell has been recorded as early as 1002. The fell formed part of a chain of beacons to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and of French forces between 1795 and 1815. More recently, beacon chains have been lit in celebration of coronations and jubilees.
In 1909, Fulwood Urbn District Council bought the fell, which until then had been farmland, as a water supply for nearby reservoirs. Conifer woodland was planted on the fell to help manage drainage. From 1959, the fell was no longer required for water, and was left to fall into disrepair. Lancashire County Council acquired the site in 1969 and opened it, in October 1970, as one in the first tranche of country parks in the United Kingdom.
Today the park is popular with visitors. It has a network of well-maintained footpaths through largely coniferous woodland. The Bowland Visitor Centre provides information about the fell and the Forest of Bowland, and serves refreshments. Wildlife that may be observed on the fell includes rabbit, hare, roe deer, stoat, weasel, red fox, badger, hedgehog, mole, grey squirrel and the otter. 11 species of dragonflies and dameselflies have been found around the fell's tarn too.
Unfortunately there isn't a pub at the end of this walk! The horror, I know. But there is a cafe at the visitor centre on Beacon Fell, half way round the walk, to grab a hot drink and maybe some cake after lunch.
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch. They do serve snacks at the visitor centre, though what will be available on the day is not certain
Food & drink
Please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water and a hot drink if desired. Though the cafe at the visitors centre will be open serving hot and cold food and drink. We will also have regular snack and drink breaks along the way though, so bring some nibbles at least.
Any snacks to keep your energy levels up are always helpful. Fruit, nuts, chocolate, a bag of sweets etc...
There will unfortunately be no pub stop at the end of the walk, there are none nearby. Sorry.