The August Ramble – Savick Brook
For some time, Jim has considered a walk following this minor water course from its source at Longridge to Preston’s Haslam Park. Savick Brook eventually enters into the River Ribble and is the entry point for the Ribble Link, which connects the Lancaster Canal to the national canal network. This proposal was met with some scepticism, but turned out to be a very viable and interesting walk.
The various elements of our party met at the bottom of Shay Lane and the six of us started the walk in perfect weather, first going through Shay Farm and heading across fields, pleasantly mud-free and arriving at the edge of Grimsargh. From here, we picked up Cow Hill, walking along quiet lanes until we entered the beautiful grounds of Haighton House, or “Squire Andertons Wood” as it is known locally. Once through the woods, we climbed the track that passes Ladywell House and St Mary’s Well before heading west and crossing the M6 motorway.
We were now in Fulwood and this part of Preston has seen extensive development over the years, so there was some doubt about the existence of useful footpaths. However, it appears that the valley containing the brook has been left untouched and offers some pleasant paths. One of these paths led us through a forest to a new housing development and a small children’s playground, with benches, and our lunch stop.
Suitably refreshed, we now entered the grounds of Preston Golf Club, picked up the brook, following it to a lane that led to the Preston Private Hospital then turned down a path that arrived at the most dangerous and challenging part of the whole walk – crossing Eastway! However, RPH wasn’t far away.
Another wooded section took us to Sharoe Green Lane, again closely following the brook and the next part of the walk led us through an area that can be deliberately flooded to protect properties downstream. Finally, we arrived at Garstang Road, (A6).
The last part of the walk took us along Lytham Road, your scribes “Home Turf’, where there are many family connections and we then entered the canal on Woodplumpton Road and on to HaslamPark, noting how beautiful the park is looking these days.
Now it was bus passes at the ready and two ‘bus rides home to Longridge.
Many thanks to Janet & Jim for a pleasant walk and one that was just a little different.
Linda & Eddie Grange