These walks are designed to help readers get out and about and explore parts of Lancashire they may not know. We try to give a range of different routes across the year to make sure there’s something for walkers of all abilities and in all corners of the county.
Occasionally we take a walk that peeks over the boundaries of the historic county palatine and this time our route takes us through an area that was traditionally a part of Yorkshire.
The local authority re-shuffle in 1974 that created the Merseyside and Great Manchester council areas also involved changes to the boundary between the Red Rose and White Rose counties.
This was clearly an act of mercy but it seems not everyone sees it that way – when we have explored this region in the past we’ve had messages from a Yorkshire fundmentalist who points out what he calls our hypocrisy: we adhere to the traditional county boundaries in some places and the new ones in others.
Yes, Mr Phillips of Leeds, we want our cake and we want to eat. And more than that, we want it to be a cake made in Lancashire.
Nevertheless, we are grateful to him for buying the magazine and we hope it opens his eyes to very many glories of Lancashire.
Enjoy the walk and the wonderful views, particularly those to the west.
Paul Mackenzie, editor
The small village of Grindleton is mentioned in Domesday Book, where it appears as Gretlintone. This route takes in Simpshey Hill, or goes round it as there isn’t a path to the summit.
The village used to be famous for damson jam and had orchards and a jam factory, it also was famous for honey and beekeeping and the Church of St Ambrose was named after the saint who is the patron of beekeepers.
1. Leave the car park and turn right into the village centre, then turn right up main street.
2. There is a footpath sign pointing down Eccles Terrace on the left but that is not the one to follow. The actual footpath is before that, also on the left, and is a small ginnel directly opposite a house Number 8 West View. Go down the ginnel and through what seems to be a house backyard - pass a wood store and go through a painted gate then carry on with a house on the right. Cross another stile then keep on to a stile leading into the woods. There is a sign saying ‘Greendale Wood’. Join a wide track and follow this downhill and as it forks keep right. Cross a footbridge over a stream then keep left, following the track.
There are some industrial buildings on the left, this is Greendale Mill, a cotton mill built around 1868 which had 180 looms.
When the track forks again, take the right fork to a stile in a wire fence and cross this then, keeping some trees on the left, follow the faint path across the field to a wooden gate with a stone stile to the right. Cross this into a lane, turn right and follow the lane. Reach some big double gates but ignore these and keep right following the lane to a metal gate. Pass to the side of this and follow the track through some farm buildings and keep on the track.
3. The track forks at Whitehall and our path follows the track to the left. Keep on this, passing Cob House Barn on the right and then further on Cob Manor on the left then cross a stile next to a wooden gate and carry on. The track now becomes a bit rough but keep on it. Reach and go through a wooden gate.
4. Take the second wooden gate on the left then follow the path downhill keeping a wall to the left until our route crosses a metal gate stile on the left when we turn right. Go downhill with a wire fence on the right and cross a footbridge then bear diagonally left and follow the path uphill towards Simpshey Hill.
When the path reaches a wall turn left and, with the wall on the right, carry on following the path and cross a metal gate stile then proceed with the wall on the right. The wall turns sharp right but carry on along the path until it reaches a yellow topped post where we turn right and follow the path as it climbs uphill. Yellow topped bridleway posts are positioned along the path.
It’s worth taking a moment enjoy the stunning views from here over the Ribble Valley and beyond.
Reach and go through a metal gate, then turn right and follow a wire fence on the right then a wall. Stay on the path, crossing a metal gate stile. When a track comes in from the right, ignore it and keep on the path with a wall on the right to a wooden gate. Once through this we join a wide stony track and turn right.
5. Follow the track with the pine forest on the left and pass the gates of Pine Wood, a house on the left, after which the track becomes a tarmac road. The road joins the main road at a bend, at this point keep straight on and follow the road that eventually leads into Grindleton’s Main Street. Turn left at the end and walk back to the village hall.
Start and finish: The Pavilion, Grindleton Village Hall, BB7 4RP. Note: Call to check if parking is available: 07805 714217. The Pavilion is the social heart of the village, grindletonpavillion.org.uk.
Distance: 4.9 miles/7.8km
Time: 2 hours
Map: OS Map OL41 Forest of Bowland and Ribblesdale.
Terrain: Mostly good and easy walking on tracks and road except the section between 4 and 5 that is on footpaths and can be muddy. Boots are advisable.
Facilities: No public toilets on route.
