South Lancashire Tour
Friday 15th May 2020
Drive from Holmes Chapel to M6 junction 25 at Bryn then follow B5207 to Billinge then left on A571 through village on B5205 to Kings Moss on Redcar Lane and left to houses on Pimbo Lane and park in a quiet cul de sac, Fir Tree Close estimate 1.5 hours, 50 miles
Shaley Brow (or Billinge Hill) UKD 158, 168 metres. Starts from Kings Moss at Fir Tree brown sign but go straight on, don’t go left here. Now on Crank Road – to reach two girder radio towers at the top, 2km climb. Fairly steep climb in both directions. View from the top towards Runcorn Bridge green span, Liverpool and Helsby Hill by Frodsham Estimate 1 hour. 1 hour 30 minutes
Continue on to foot of north side then left turn on B5206 through Far Moor, Up Holland, Appley Bridge, left on A5209 to Parbold Hill and down to Parbold. Take a right kust before the village on to Lancaster Lane then along here the second turn on the right on to Stoney Lane where the climb begins. Easy at first but as the road becomes narrow it becomes a tough grind to the top at Rigbye Arms pub and road junction.
High Moor UKD 154, 142 metres, length 2.8km. Start from Parbold at canal bridge, take first left outside of village on Lancaster Road and later take a right turn on to Stoney Lane to the top near Rigby Arms pub. Estimate 1 hour.
Continuation now and heading for Darwen. At the pub and road junction straight ahead and down High Moor Lane, heading for Standish, left on to Moss Lane, left on to Toogood Lane and right on to Church Lane and Carr House Lane, over M6 on Mill Lane then continue on Preston Road B5251 / 5252 , a right turn (south) for Anderton on the A6 then in Anderton a turn left at the crossroads in the town and heading for Rivington followed by Sheep House Lane after the reservoir and climbing to Winter Hill and over to Belmont. Staggered crossroads here and head for Egerton but a left turn along the road onto Stones Bank Road and through the woods to emerge on Blackburn Road then north to Darwen. The climb for the tower starts near the centre of the town on Belgrave Road. With the park on the right the road heads up steeply to peter out at a track then a choice of ways to the top. The right fork is the easier way up and most of the way it’s possible to cycle to the tower that resembles a moon rocket from the distance. Inside are spiral stone steps that lead to two levels. A great view from the top of the surrounding area, with location information boaeds around the platform perimeter. Estimate 2 hours
Darwen Tower UKD 153 364 metres. Start from Suddell Road, extension of Hardman Way off A666 just south of the town, 2.3km to the tower. Estimate 1.5 hours.
Retraced the route exactly as far as Adlington then diverged south through Blackrod, Aspull and Wigan then took Billinge Road A571 and back to the car at Kings Moss. Estimate 2.5 hours
From Kings Moss head south on B5201, across A580 to Eccleston, join A568 through Rainhill to Widnes then A533 new Mersey Bridge, Runcorn A533 Northwich , Lach Dennis, home. Estimate 2 hours
Total = 9 hours