Overview
Travel the estuary to Milnthorpe towards Arnside before heading to Leighton Hall Estate. Follow the coast to the resort of Morecambe and then head inland to historic Lancaster. Enjoy the scenery of he Trough of Bowland before dropping down towards Clitheroe. Finish up with sights of Pendle Hill and visiting the witch statue in Roughlee.
Milnthorpe
Low tide in Morecambe Bay and the Lune Estuary is feeding time for a multitude of sea birds and waterfowl and a good time to take the coastal walk to Arnside. This is quiet countryside and relaxing shore walking overlooking water, salt marsh and intertidal reefs.
Arnside
A popular village on the shore of Morecambe Bay on the edge of an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Morecambe Bay has some fast rising tides so there is the opportunity to walk across the sand at low tide with an experienced guide avoiding the quicksands. The surging tide creates a small Bore that can be seen from Arnside. The ruins of 15th century Arnside Tower can also be seen in the distance.
Leighton Hall Estate
The house and gardens are still home to members of the famous Lancaster furniture manufacturers Gilllow and Co with many examples of their work on display. The present house was designed in the Adams style in 1763 when the extensive parkland and woodland gardens were established. The house was renovated with a Gothic façade in the mid 1800’s. Be sure to visit Carnforth Station Heritage Centre which attracts visitors from all over the world, keen to see where part of 'Brief Encounter' was filmed in 1945.
Morecambe
A popular seaside resort with sandy beaches and a long promenade and gardens. Home to the renovated Art Deco Midland Hotel overlooking the Bay and stone jetty. Nearby the playful statue of Eric Morecambe and further along Marine Drive is the entrance to Happy Mount Park.
Lancaster
Rich in history the castle perched on a hill overlooking the town has been the site of a prison and a county court. In 1612 it was the scene of the Pendle Witch trial resulting in 10 executions. The town now hosts many fine stone buildings, the Lancaster canal, the Ashton Memorial in Williamson park and an Observatory. Nearby Glasson Dock on the Lune estuary offers a good walking area.
Browsholme
Taking the road through the Trough of Bowland you are encouraged to stop and walk to take in the scenery. The village of Dunsop Bridge is popular as it is 3 miles from the geographic centre of the country. Then on to the Elizabethan mansion and gardens of Browsholme Hall which has been owned by the same family since 1507.
Clitheroe
On the banks of the River Ribble the bustling market town is filled with solid stone buildings and many independent shops all dominated by the medieval castle ruins of Clitheroe Castle.
Stonyhurst
A short distance from Clitheroe is the massively impressive Stonyhurst College, a roman catholic college but this area is said to have given inspiration to J R R Tolkein and where he wrote parts of the trilogy. The area is dotted with names that are familiar from The Lord of the Rings - Shire Lane in Hurst Green, for instance, or the River Shirebourn.
Pendle Hill
For those not wishing to climb Pendle Hill, the summit is 557 metres, the best views are maybe from Clitheroe Castle ramparts with views looking down to the Ribble Valley and the town of Clitheroe. If you fancy the climb you can see for miles and are following in the footsteps of both witches and also George Fox who founded the Quakers.
Roughlee
The Pendleside village can trace its roots to before the Norman Conquest, was one of the first centres of Methodism but it most remembered for being the home of one of the so called Pendle witches, Alice Nutter, who is recognised by a statue in the village. Local walks include stepping stones over the river and a small waterfall.
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