After a frustrating diversion around a building site, I finally reach the promenade at Cleveleys.
And there is my daughter, Ella, walking to meet me, along with her beautiful springer spaniel, Lottie. She looks happy to see me – the dog, I mean.
I’m now both very hot and very thirsty. Continue reading
I’m back in Blackpool and staying near a place called Gynn Square. In the morning I set off to catch the tram, and one of the things I notice is a wonderful memorial to honour the emergency service people who lose their lives while helping others.
But the main thing I notice is… Daleks! Continue reading
I’ve reached the southern end of Blackpool. Well, I hadn’t expected so much empty sand! Where’s the sea?
Back in Warton, I walk along a narrow path beside a ditch to regain the Lancashire Coastal Way. Through a gate I can see where the footpath ended yesterday. It’s only 50 yards away and, despite the crudely painted ‘PRIVATE’ signs on the gate, I can see others have ignored the warnings and simply walked straight across the gap.
I’ve reached the beginning of the Lancashire Coastal Way and, after checking my map, I’m anticipating an easy stroll along a river bank following a proper waymarked footpath.
Unfortunately, the Way gets off to a bad start as I end up in a ramshackle marina, where I see plenty of ‘Private’, ‘NO ENTRY’, ‘Please Keep to the Path’, and ‘Beware of the Dog’ signs. But where’s the footpath gone?
I am worried about today’s walk from Preston to Freckleton. The obvious route – along a major A road – looks unpleasant and potentially dangerous. So I have mapped out a tortuous inland route, involving footpaths that might not exist in reality, and minor roads that may turn out to be not-so-minor.
My walk begins, however, as a pleasant stroll through parkland.
I leave my car in Tarleton and start road-walking to join the busy A59 and reach the first crossing point over the River Asland (or River Douglas – you have a choice of names!). Thank goodness there is a footpath.
A short time later a signpost tells me I’m entering West Lancashire. It seems an important transition. I’m definitely ‘oop north’ now. Continue reading
Today my walk gets off to a bad start and comes to a bad end. But the middle section is wonderful. Anyway, let’s start at the beginning.
I park in Banks Road and set off, passing a large granite boulder sat on the verge, which has a metal plaque set into the stone. Intrigued, I pause to read the inscription.
My husband drives me to Formby beach. He has to use his best negotiating skills to get into the National Trust car park without paying in order to drop me off. From there, I head for the sands, following a track a little inland of the dune system.
Here I find a drowned pine forest. Drowned by sand. Continue reading
I set off along the Sefton Coastal Path – a combined walking and cycle-way. It’s a shame I can’t continue walking along the beach, but warning signs tell me the sands are treacherous.
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Response ID: 328,436,497 Report number: 1222 Location: Ceredigion Coast Path (part of the Wales Coast Path) between Gwbert & Mwnt Date: 04/02/26 2 walkers, no dog, meet about 40 Welsh Black bullocks Pips report: “On the return stretch of our walk we encountered extremely treacherous terrain and a herd of about 40 Welsh Black bullocks […]
Incident number:1220 Response ID: 328,248,081 Location: Back Forest Farm, River Dane, near Wincle & DaneBridge, Peak District ///wasps.promote.homelands Date 26/01/26 Single walker, no dog SY’s Report: “I was heading back to DaneBridge/Wincle from Gradbach/Black Forest. I’d walked by Back Forest Farm along the path between their fields and came to a gate/stile. As I crossed […]
Incident number: 1218 Response ID: 320,795,463 Date of incident: 29.12.2025 Location: Below Denston Hall, Denston Suffolk Status: Lone walker with dog on lead on PROW L.Cooper’s story “I saw a group of cows ahead and waited to see if they would move. As I couldn’t get past without going near to them I backtracked and […]
Ruth's Coastal Walk (UK) 