Short Walks
Self Guided Walks - The River Brock
The highlight of this medium length walk is the riverside path along the River brock.
Depending upon the time of year a variety of different birds and wild flowers will create interest, as well as small mammals and farm animals.
The Walk does get very muddy underfoot in wet weather and there are several short uphill stretches and one quite steep descent shortly after the start of the walk
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. Lancashire County Council 100023320 2004
THE ROUTE DESCRIBED
1. Leave the Bowland Visitor Centre and cross the road to the stile across from the Visitor Centre, climb the stile into the field. Turn right and follow the fence line across the field. At the end of the field, turn left to a stone step stile in the dry stone wall. On a clear day there are good views of the Fylde and Morecambe bay.
2. Head straight down the field. The path is not obvious but the gate and stile to the road can be seen at the bottom. Half way down there is a stile and a footbridge by the plantation. To the right should be good views of Fairsnape and the Bleasdale Fells.
3. Take Care crossing the road and bear slightly right to White lee Lane. Follow the lane down to Brockmill. This road can be very busy at popular times so great care should be exercised.
4. At Brockmill, do not cross the river bridge but go through the stone gateway to Brock Cottage Farm. Bear left immediately in front of the cottage with the river on your left. Cross the stile and follow the yellow way marks along the field path to the right.
5. After about 200 metres cross the stile on the left to a path on the riverbank. If you are patient you may see the black and white Dipper and bobbing tail of the Grey Wagtail feeding on the rocks in midstream.
6. As the path leaves the river, go up a grass bank to the right and at the top turn left along a farm track.
7. The large pipes which come into view on the left are carrying water from the reservoir at Haweswater to Manchester. Go to the right of the white building and along the path at the bottom edge of the wood. This path eventually rejoins the riverbank on a series of board walks.
8. Do not cross the footbridge on the left but turn right up a stony track (Snape Rake Lane). After a short while the surface becomes tarmac. Continue to the bridleway on the left and turn downhill.
9. Part way down is a memorial bench with a nice view if you feel like a rest. Continue downhill and turn right behind a second memorial bench. The river is on the left again and the trees have many bird and bat boxes. Can you tell the difference? Bear right towards Waddecar Scout Camp and a good track to the left.
10. As you leave the Scout Camp area cross a stile to an open field with a good view of Fairsnape directly ahead. At the end of the field is a large footbridge. Do not cross this but turn right and over a stile into Gill Barn Wood. Cross a footbridge on the left and follow the track uphill to a stile. Cross this, keeping the old hedge line on your left, cross the open field. Parlick is straight ahead.
11. At the end of the field cross another stile and head towards Wickins barn, keeping the fence on your left. Just after the overhead power lines, cross a stile on your left and turn right to another stile a few yards in front. Cross this and keeping the fence on your right head for the farm yard and the road. Please ensure that all farm gates are closed securely behind you.
12. Turn right along the road and shortly after the right hand bend turn left up a farm track towards Sagar's Farm. At the top of this drive do not bear left but go straight on through the gateway to Heatherway Farm. Turn right over a stile into the field.
13. At the marker post (by a power line pole), turn left and head uphill towards Beacon Fell. Cross a stile and you are back within the Fell boundary. Carefully cross the road and head uphill diagonally to the right through the woods. Follow this path back over the Fell to the Bowland Visitor Centre with its excellent refreshments.
Please enjoy your walk but do remember to observe the Country Code and take great care when crossing roads.
There are more self guided walks from Beacon Fell available at the Bowland Visitor Centre. If you feel like a longer walk, please ask the Information Assistant for an Events programme which contains details of walks led by staff from the Countryside Service and Volunteer Rangers.