Midge Walkers

Walk No.  199

November 23rd 2025. Euxton

An attempt to do this walk had been made last month and then abandoned due to very bad weather conditions, our decision to have another go (this month) was not looking good as 4 of us awaited in the rain for others to join us! However, the foursome decided to set of regardless and give the weather a chance. After crossing Pincock Bridge and watching the River Yarrow in full majestic flow we went a short distance on the A49 and crossed over into German Lane, as we passed Bolton Green Fishing Lakes it was noted that the weather had seen off all the (not so) hardy anglers. On our left Old House Farm looked like its farming days are over and yet more ‘green space’ is to become a house building site. After going under the Main Line Railway, we noticed Parkinsons Farm is not a farm anymore either. Further on we followed German Lane and discovered what was once a lovely, cobbled roadway, is now a mud/water strewn pathway as some undesirables arrived early one morning, dug up almost all the cobbles and scarpered. Onwards we went to a narrow bridge crossing the Yarrow at its confluence with German Brook flowing extremely powerfully, it was quiet exciting watching a young girl ride her horse expertly through what was at least 4ft deep fast-moving water with little or no difficulty. After passing the Sand Quarry we turned left by the Sewage Works, which is now a Solar Panel Farm, the input water stream which still runs into the Sewage Works, was flowing extremely quickly and very full. Passing over a small metal bridge we entered Fox Hole Wood and emerged into pasture which turned out to be extremely slippery and not surprisingly one of us ended up on the floor with a mud-covered anorak, thankfully not bodily damaged. After crossing 2 fields and 8 stiles we passed Euxton House and then Euxton Cricket Ground, before stopping for a short coffee break.

After our stop we joined Washington Lane, then Pear Tree Lane and past Pear Tree Farm, yet another Farm gone and replaced by housing. Very shortly we took some steps up to the bridge across the Main Line Railway and entered the grounds of Euxton Parish Church and to the A49 Wigan Road which after a mile took us past the Euxton Mills Pub returning to our starting point.

A good time was had by all, we didn’t get too wet and stayed very warm. A most enjoyable 4.25 miles walk.

Rodney Swarbrick