Midge Walkers

Walk No.  179

Penwortham Circular 17-03-24  

Sunday the 17th March didn’t look at all promising from a weather point of view, around lunchtime spots of rain and black skies made us wonder if our leader  had completely lost his ability to pick a good walking day. Notwithstanding,  11 enthusiasts assembled in the Booths car park at Penwortham setting off at 1.50 p.m. Leaving via Millbrook Way we gained Cop Lane where we  turned left and crossed to follow a footpath at the side of the Primary School  and a broad strip of trees on our right. This culminated at a T junction where  we turned right, crossing a bridge over the dual carriage way below, Golden  Way. Immediately at the end of the bridge, steps down to the left, dropped us  on to a path which brought us out to Leyland Rd adjacent to the Methodist Church.  

Crossing the road, the ancient Pack Horse Bridge built in 1759 and a 5-arch sandstone feature provided access to the opposite side of the river which  was in fairly full flow. Considerable works were being undertaken on the  banks by way of flood defences which necessitated deviations in our route. We passed the Ferry House, home of the ferry man who conveyed people  across the river prior to the bridge construction and continued towards the  Continental Pub, beyond which the main North-South rail line bridge was  passed under giving us access to Miller Park. It was probably at around this  stage that the sun was forcing some to remove excess clothing.

Making our way to the upper walk we passed the statue of Edward Geoffrey Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, British Prime Minister 1866-!868. The imposing  statue was unveiled in front of 40,000 people in 1873 and overlooks the  formal setting of the gardens below. Prestons most prominent suffragette,  Edith Rigby was suspected of tarring the statue during her years of activity.

Moving further along the path and under the bridge, formerly carrying the  East Lancashire Rail Line brought us into Avenham Park, passing the  Japanese Gardens on our right. Continuing along the upper perimeter of the  grassed area and past a now boarded up summer house, behind which a  large cream property, Avenham Tower/ Tower House, which is actually  situated at the end of Bank Parade and was for a period occupied by the  grocer Edwin Henry Booth founder of the E.H Booth chain. Further along,  situated at the head of a flight of stone steps, a pair of 36lb Russian cannons  as used in the Crimean War overlooked the view to the Tram Bridge. The  currently closed bridge is due to have work started in Summer of this year  with completion by Spring 2025.

After descending the steps, our route followed the River bank back through  the park until reaching the Pavilion Cafe where we branched right up the  slope to the Japanese Garden, and took a path up to gain the bridge crossing the river, formerly carrying the East Lancs Line. Continuing along  this path led us to the Vernon’s Cricket ground where we found suitable  seating to stop for our refreshment break.

Resuming our journey, we regained the path through the trees, branching left  and after a period, emerged on to Leyland Rd, opposite the fire station.  Crossing the road and turning right we continued to Stricklands Lane where  we turned left until arriving at the first junction on the right led us through a  caravan park. Exiting at the opposite end found us back on the track we had  passed along approx 2 hours earlier, and climbing the steps and crossing the  bridge, we returned to our starting point.

We had been promised a great walk on dry, good underfoot walkways with  no stiles or obstructions and thats exactly what we got. 5.5 miles of good  views and constant interest on what had turned out to be a perfect day for  walking. Thanks to the organisers and participants for joining in and making  it so pleasurable.