Slaidburn

Dunsop Bridge

7.6 miles | 12.3 km | 234 m Ascent | 8.8 Naismith miles | Peter Lennard
Within the Bentham Footpath Group, we tend to think of ourselves as living “up North”, and indeed we do – but only by a few miles: It turns out that the geographic centre of Great Britain is (according to the Ordnance Survey) in Dunsop Bridge. Given this curious fact, how can we decline the temptation to start a walk right from the centre of the country?
That curiosity aside, Dunsop Bridge is a great place to walk, and is often described as being at the heart of the Forest of Bowland. This gentle walk heads out from the village up the banks of the Dunsop before striking out to the isolated farms at Beatrix. From there, we cross Rough Syke at the bottom of Oxenhurst Clough and then after a brief but steep climb, follow green lanes and a very minor road to the lovely village of Newton where we pick up the Hodder, to follow it downstream back to Dunsop Bridge.
En route, we follow the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail over Giddy Bridge, and then past Knowlmere Manor, and Thorneyholme Hall where we see the confluence of the Dunsop and the Hodder. The walk ends back at Dunsop Bridge where ice cream beckons.
We recommend that you take waterproofs on this walk – be aware that Dunsop Bridge holds the record for the most intense rainfall in the UK with 117mm (4.6 in) falling in just 90 minutes on 8th August 1967.

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Slaidburn short circular

4.7 miles | 7.5 km | 228 m Ascent | 5.8 Naismith miles | George Sheridan
Slaidburn is a great place to start a walk. Parking is at the village hall car park, adjacent to a good café for refreshments.
This easy walk takes us out of the village past the Hark To Bounty pub and then onto paths along the Croasdale Brook. We skirt Tenter Hill and then head north to the farm at Croasdale House where we set off back toward Slaidburn past Shay House. We re-join the road at Town Head and stroll back through the village to end the walk.
Excellent views of the moors are available throughout. Public toilets are sited at the car park.

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