Bleasdale walk
A pleasant walk around the tiny village of Bleasdale.
Route info
| Starting postcode | PR3 1UN |
| Nearest pub | |
| Stay over | |
| Distance | 6.3 miles |
| Low point | 138 metres |
| High point | 237 metres |
| Total ascent | 260 metres |
| Calories estimate | 1000 |
| Steps | 12,000 |
| Cows | Yes |
| OK for dogs | On leads |
| Bogs | Some muddy sections |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
Nearby walk
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Route description
The weather forecast for today looked quite optimistic, so Dan (my youngest son) and I set off for a walk around Bleasdale without the burden of wet weather gear. For Pickle, my youngest cockapoo pup, it was just second walk in The Forest of Bowland, and she was eager to get going on her countryside adventure.
We parked the car at Delph Lane Quarry and from here headed along Delph Lane towards Stang Yule. Just before reaching the house, there is a fingerpost sign on the right of the road, pointing towards Bleasdale. From here we walked along the grassy track that leads to the road to the village.
The village of Bleasdale is more like a hamlet really, with just a small scattering of homes and farms, which are cut off from the main road. I imagine it to be a very peaceful way of life here.
As you head along the road there are nice views of the fell plantation to your left, and to your right are first-rate views of Beacon Fell and Fair Snape Fell.
On one of the farms, we came across a couple of friendly Alpacas (or similar), and I remembered that this was the same farm where an indignant ram once jumped over the wall and pounced on me and my eldest son, Jack, many years ago.
Through the farm, we then continued along the road for a little while and took a left turn at the cottages. Here we had a short stop for a sandwich and then headed onwards and up towards Clough Head Woods. As we exited the woods, Dan noticed a helicopter that had landed underneath Hazlehurst Fell. We couldn’t decide what its use was, but I do recall they were building some paths up on Fair Snape Fell, so we assumed they were still doing some work there.
We then met a farmer bringing his sheep off the fells and stood back a while, so our dogs didn’t interfere with his dogs’ work. It was great to watch the sheepdogs doing what they excel at.
A little further on, as we passed through Holme House Farm, we crossed an infant River Brock, and I launched my drone in order to take a few pictures. Unfortunately, the weather at this point took an unexpected turn for the worse, so I had to bring the drone back, and we decided to march on through the rain. As we hadn’t anticipated rain (we should know better), I decided to change the planned route a little and head along the road, so that we could make up some time.
We turned right at Bleasdale School and passed through a gate, leading to Weaver’s Farm. Here, we met the road and picked up our pace in the rain. I spotted Tootle Hall on the map and told Dan that I wanted to stop by and have a look. I used to come here with my parents after we had been to Brock Bottom for chicken in a basket. I remember once that it was really busy, so the owners let us sit in the lounge and watch TV. Nowadays it is just a house, but a great bit of nostalgia for me.
Just before Tootle Hall is a private road leading up to Broadgate Farm. Follow this track for a little while and there is a signpost just before the farm, which points towards Delph Road. I noticed the route doesn’t match the OS map here, so just follow the way markers.
After a little climb through the field, the path meets Delph Lane and there is then just a short climb back to the car park.