Midge Walkers

Walk No.  162

New Year’s Day Walk 2023 – Avenham & Miller Parks

Sunday 1st January was cold but dry and our walk designed to blow those end of year cobwebs away attracted 19 participants and Molly the dog who is now in her 10th year.

We were pleased to welcome 2 new ladies, Cath. and Jane, and we set off from the Old Penwortham Bridge at just before 2.00 p.m. The Bridge built in 1759 is a 5-arch sandstone construction and was a replacement to the 1st version built in 1754 which suffered the collapse of its central pillar the following year. Crossing the bridge and leaving via the stone steps to the right to enter Broadgate led us along Riverside with the river to our right.

After a short distance a large 3 storey dwelling called the Ferry House is situated, perhaps not unsurprising this was the former home of the ferryman who conveyed people across the river before the bridge’s construction. It is interesting to note that this area of the river was also formerly used as a marina for rowing boats on a typical summer day. Continuing past the rear of the BAC playing fields and the Continental Pub, we passed under the impressive main North South rail bridge to enter Miller Park and head towards the upper walk. The more formal setting of this park was designed back in the 1860’s and has matured over the years. The imposing statue of the 14th Earl of Derby, British Prime Minister between 1866-68 stands overlooking the valley below.

Continuing along the walkway and under the bridge, formerly carrying the East Lancashire Rail Line, we entered Avenham Park. Skirting the perimeter brought us to a stone construction of a summer house where we paused for a group photograph. To the rear was a large cream property (Avenham Tower), situated at the end of Bank Parade, once the home of Edwin Booth the founder of Booths supermarkets. Further along we reached the head of a stone stepped route down to the path below, at the side of which two Russian Sebastopol cannons were mounted.

Arriving at the pathway below we turned right, rising to pass the end of Tram Bridge. Originally constructed in 1802 and closed for the last 4 years, it is hoped to gain support for renovations to be funded, currently standing at around £6 million. Our route continued along the river bank between the trees and branched right adjacent to the Pavilion Café to take the path up on to the former rail line and over the river. Some way along the path a fork to the right eventually brought us out on to Leyland Road opposite the fire station at Middleforth.

Turning right we took the first road on the right (Hawkhurst Rd) and continued to its end, which brought us back to the river bank where we turned left continuing into Riverside road and our starting position.

Not the longest walk we have ever done at around 3.25 miles but it had achieved its primary objective of getting us out into the fresh air and providing a change of scenery and companionship and been an enjoyable experience for all the participants and a good start for the year ahead.