GISBURN XMAS WALK - 7th December 2025

 For the fourth consecutive walk the Southport fell walkers were on the receiving end of some pretty dismal weather, but as it’s almost Christmas, they smiled and carried on!! This was the annual Christmas walk to the area around Clitheroe and Pendle and which would be concluded with a meal at the Calf’s Head in Worston. Almost 40 walkers took to the fells on a variety of routes, with the starting point for all but one being Gisburn.

Stu’s group began at Gisburn and setting out at a brisk pace, covered the ground quickly past Dick Varley Plantation and through Bomber Hill Farm, to cross quite boggy fields to Tootles Hill.

This is a strange little area, where there is a motorbike scrambling track, but in all the years of walking in this area, there has never been any activity notied. Probably scrambling doesn't take place on Sundays?

Passing through Brogden Hall Farm and livery stables, a beautiful black and white cat came up to greet them. Obviously a very important mouse catcher for the place!

They followed the Roman Road, which is Brogden Lane, and a lovely Border Collie decided she would like to join them. Leading them on for over half a mile, they became concerned that she may be lost, and vehicles were using the lane.

She had a collar and name disc, and they noticed that she was called Gem, so they phoned her 'contact number'.  It turns out she had wandered from Horrox House after escaping through a fence. Her owner immediately sent his son to pick her up in his landrover, and they parted company. Job done!

Carrying on, they entered Barnoldswick, joining the Leeds Liverpool Canal and followed the towpath south, through the centre of the town, passing the world famous Rolls Royce Aero Engine factory. It was good to see that a massive new reconstruction is taking place, to ensure that Britain continues to lead the world in this field of engineering.

A very welcome coffee stop in the little shop at Lower Park Marina, fuelled them up for the climb ahead. It was an amazing little place, where two coffees and a pack of six Wagon Wheels came to under £4!!

Onwards and upwards they went through Letcliff Country Park, to drop down again passing the Steam Museum that is Bancroft Mill. They noticed that the traditional brick chimney is currently undergoing restoration, and they wondered if Fred Dibnah might be looking down!!

Climbing up along Folly Lane, the views back down over Barnoldswick reflected how widespread this town has become, with new housing spreading steadily outwards.

Approaching the lovely named Duck Pond Farm, now a row of beautifully restored cottages, they stopped to admire and photograph the two 'stone head' sculptures; quite eerie when seen in the mist!

The rain really set in as they headed for the trig pillar on Weets Hill, stopping there only to take a couple of photos.

Descending directly down to The Pennine Bridleway Path, the muddy track soon improved as it became Coal Pit Lane, a tarred road.

Deciding to follow this rather than cross more wet fields, they passed a large solar farm, to enter Gisburn once more. Oh the joy of shedding soaking 'waterproofs', a nice warm coach and retiring to the White Bull Inn, contemplating the short 10 minute coach trip and lovely Christmas dinner at the Calf's Head!

Paul’s group set off and their planned route of 10.5 miles, was achieved over muddy and wet fields, and lots of very slippery stiles. However, although there was rain yet again, it did ease off whilst they had their lunch. Then as they neared the end, Monika persuaded the group to walk a Christmas tree pattern across a field in order to record the pattern on their GPS tracking! (see her photos on the Blog).

After a drink or two at the White Bull in Gisburn, the coach took them the short distance to the Calf’s Head at Worston where they once again were treated very efficiently to their annual Christmas meal.

Mike B’s group of four set off from Gisburn to follow the Ribble Way to Sawley and then over the hills to Downham and Worston. They could hardly see the actual river until it opened up in dramatic torrents at Sawley Bridge - that was after a wet lunch at the Fantasy Stone Circle a mile or so beforehand. More slippery paths and stiles led over the hills to Downham and then to Worston. Another delightful Christmas Meal at the Calf’s Head was had by all. Thanks to all the organisers.  

And there was a nice seasonal gesture from the Oldham group and others who stood outside under the trees with their drinks to relieve the pressure inside the busy pub. Happy Christmas!

Pat’s group started their walk from the McDonalds roundabout on the A59 after a compulsory breakfast stop. They then walked to Wiswell and on to Pendleton, both pretty villages. It was then back over the A59 to Clitheroe for a mooch round the town and a coffee stop. After that they made their way to the Calf's Head via the park and a garden centre. Unfortunately as it rained most of the day they didn’t manage to take any photos. This was supposed to be a leisurely day for them, but they actually managed to walk about 10 miles!! However they were rewarded with a lovely meal and a few drinks with good company at the Calf's Head.

Gerry's walk was completed as planned. The initial climb up to Weets Hill trig point was largely done with Paul’s group for company. After leaving the top the three then returned to a bench they had passed on the way up. It was a very suitable place for lunch and the rain, which had started just before reaching the summit, surprisingly stopped. The rest of the walk though was mainly wet, both from the sky and under foot. Lots of very slippy and tricky stiles were negotiated before arriving back at the coach. Having changed from wet clothes the three enjoyed a pint in The White Bull in Gisburn before being driven to The Calf’s Head for a very enjoyable Christmas meal with the rest of the Club walkers.

The Oldhams led by Keith found that they had sold their walk too well with promises of mulled wine, mince pies and merriment, and they ended up with a huge group of 17 walkers (18 with the addition of Nancy who came on as a late substitute)!!

After a dry start the promised rain arrived shortly afterwards and it continued off and on (mainly on), for the rest of the day. The ground turned to mud and there were a number of fallers including Jason, Mike and Neil A (all before lunch time I hasten to add), but no serious injuries were sustained. However it never felt quite as bad as it should have considering the weather, as the group entertained themselves with regular stops for aperitifs, mince pies and mulled wine. The Peach Schnapps, Tangerine Schnapps and Sloe Gin went down particularly well!! As the day went on the group also managed to successfully tick off a number of local pubs including The Spread Eagle Inn at Sawley, The Rum Fox in Grindleton and The Black Bull in Rimington.

Not sure how the locals felt about being invaded by 18 very wet and muddy walkers dripping water in their bars. Fortunately the licensees had a sense of humour and happily welcomed the additional revenue. Finally the Calf’s Head beckoned, the walkers dried themselves off and then all of the groups enjoyed the usual hearty Christmas fayre that the Club has been enjoying in Worston for many years now. A great end to the increasingly regular damp Christmas walk! Finally there was just enough time for Bob Miller to be awarded the inaugural ‘Southport Fell Walking Club Golden Boot Award’ for the most attendances this year! Well done Bob.

Thanks to the leaders including Paul, Pat G, Keith, Mike B, Gerry, Stu and John G. And to the photographers Lana, Monika, Mike K, Neil O, Pete, Clare V, Darren, David, Mike B and Stu.

Click HERE to open the album.

Click HERE to see Darren's Christmas walk video.

Click HERE to see Bob Miller's presentation.

Next Walks:

Sunday 21^st December 2025 - Staveley

5.00 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A591 to Staveley. Park in Staveley.  Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

Sunday 4th January 2026 – Llangollen via Horseshoe Pass

5.00 p.m. departure

Southbound to the M57, Mersey Gateway Bridge, M56, M53, A55 to Broughton, A5104 to Llandegla, A542 over the Horseshoe Pass to Llangollen. Park in Llangollen. Morning coffee stop at Chester services, M56.

Sunday 18^th January 2026 - Settle

5.00 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, on to the M65, M65 eastbound to junction 7, via A6185/A678 to the A680, A671 to roundabout N of Whalley, A59 to Gisburn, A682/A65/B6480 to Settle. Park in Settle. Morning coffee stop at Darwen services, M65.