North East Lancashire 20s-30s
Young Persons Walking Group
Access Land
Following the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 large areas of uncultivated land in England and Wales were opened up to walkers as designated access land. This process started in September 2004 and was completed in October 2005. Please see the following links for more information:
The new access land includes large areas of moorland in Lancashire. The following are selected areas which you may wish to explore:
Forest of Bowland
Bleasdale MoorsAccess to these beautiful moors, close to Garstang off the M6, in the Forest of Bowland, can be reached via an existing right of way approximately 2km east or directly off a road running through Oakenclough to the west. A trig point is located at 429 metres providing a good panorama of the surrounding fells. A natural feature called the "arbour" is accessible for the first time. (OS Explorer map number 41)
Marshaw Fell and Hawthornthwaite FellFantastic areas of open country that are easily accessible from a road to the north of Bleasdale Moors running through Marshaw, Lancashire, and off the Wyre Way, a promoted long distance footpath. (OS Explorer map number 41)
Ward Stone and Mallowdale Pike South East of CatonThere are a number of permissive paths and other rights of way that will provide jumping-off points for these exquisite fells. Ward Stone has a trig point and is one of the highest points locally, providing stunning views. CRoW will provide permanent access, as permissive access can be withdrawn at any time. (OS Explorer map 41)
Burn MoorKnown as the "forbidden moor", Burn Moor now has access for the first time in centuries. Located just south east of High Bentham, Burn Moor is accessible from two roads and a right of way. It links up with huge tracts of open country to provide magnificent, if challenging, walking. (OS Explorer map number 41)
West Pennine Moors
Smithills Moor and Winter HillLocated north of Bolton and providing views over the Manchester conurbation to the Pennines. This area is historically important. In 1896 a group of Bolton men marched to the moor to maintain their traditional right to walk across it. The landowner wanted to close access and until recently there had only been a footpath across the moor. To the north it links with another area of access land to create a large area of walking country. (OS Explorer map number 287)
South Pennines
Boulsworth HillAt the western end of the Bronte Moors, Boulsworth Hill offers panoramic views at the boundary of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Located east of Nelson and Burnley, it is easily accessible across open country or from the Bronte Way or Pendle Way. (OS Explorer map OL21)
