Garstang Walking Festival At A Glance

This year the Garstang Walking Festival takes place from 7 to 14 May. Last year it was hailed as a real celebration of the outdoors, by Granada TV's Fred Talbot.

"This annual springtime festival gives everyone the opportunity to explore one of the North West's best kept secrets - the beautiful countryside surrounding Garstang and its districts", said weatherman, Fred Talbot at last years event.

This year a programme of more than 50 activities has been drawn up, from heritage walks and rambles across Bowland Fells to family cycle rides and an intriguingly-named Cheesy Trail

There are Tramper treks which allow people with reduced mobility to enjoy the countryside via an electric powered all-terrain vehicle, and pram pushes suitable for the under-fives. Geo-caching (treasure hunting 21st century style) has also been included this year, alongside a chance to discover the art of bushcraft.

And for the hardier souls, there's a four-day long distance challenge to Walk the Wyre Way.

The fun gets under way at 2.30pm on Friday 7 May at the Visit Garstang Centre.

Garstang Walking Festival At A Glance

Garstang Country Walk - 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
The inaugural walk of the 2010 Garstang Walking Festival. 1 hour around Garstang.

Evening Wildflower Walk - 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
An evening walk along the Brock Valley looking for wild flowers.

Saturday 8 May
A Boundary Explorer – The Coast - 9.00 am – 4.30 pm
Catch the local Super 8 bus to Knott End and walk back to Garstang.

Bleasdale Skyline - 10.00 am – 4.30 pm
A circular high level walk, taking in the fell tops of Parlick, Fairsnape and Hazelhurst.

Cobble Hey Legstretcher - 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
A circular walk, including Calder Vale village and Bluebell woods.

Garstang/Scorton Super 8 Walk and Ride - 10.15 am – 3.00 pm
Catch the Super 8 bus from Garstang and ramble back from Scorton.

Saturday Stroll - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A guided stroll along the banks of the Wyre Estuary and country lanes.

Step Back in Time: Bleasdale Heritage Walk - 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
A four mile circular walk looking at places of historical interest in Bleasdale.

Sunday 9 May
A Boundary Explorer – The Plains - 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
A circular walk taking in part of the River Brock and the Lancaster Canal.

Wyresdale Ramble - 10.00 am – 3.30 pm
A circular ramble through farmland, to the lower slopes of Harris End Fell, into Lower Dolphinholme, returning via riverside and woodland.

Garstang Tramper Trek (stileless walk) - 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Countryside ramble based from Garstang, which has no stiles, suitable for Trampers.

Family Cycle Ride - 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm
A gentle cycle ride, for all abilities, led by Garstang Cycling Club. Booking essential, please
ring 01995 602125.

Bluebell Teas Stroll - 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Discover a beautiful bluebell wood at Calder Vale.
Afternoon teas available (extra cost).

Children’s Archery and Climbing Activities - 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
A chance for young people (age 7-17 years) to try two exciting activities under tuition of PGL at Winmarleigh.

Garstang Heritage - 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
A walk around Garstang town centre, looking at its past history.

Monday 10 May
A Boundary Explorer – The High Walk - 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
A fell top walk from Dolphinholme to Bleasdale.

Garstang Pram and Toddler Walk - 9.30 am – 10.30 am
A short, fun toddle for the under 5’s, and parents. Fully accessible for prams and buggies.

Geo-caching – A 21st Century Treasure Hunt - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
A country walk incorporating a treasure hunt using GPS technology (GPS not essential).

Garstang/Calder Vale Super 8 Walk and Ride - 11.00 am – 3.30 pm
Catch the Super 8 bus and ramble back to Garstang from Calder Vale.

Tewit Teas - 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Farmland birdwatching walk with the RSPB and Farmer around Bleasdale.

Garstang Health Check and Walk - 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm
A 1 hour health walk with a chance to have your blood pressure and weight checked.

Garstang Bat Hunt - 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm
A walk with the Countryside Rangers to discover more about these nocturnal creatures.

Tuesday 11 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 1 - 9.00 am – 3.30 pm
First day of a four day challenge – a walk from Knott End around the Wyre Estuary.

Walk with your Camera - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Come and learn some basic photography skills on a pleasant countryside ramble.

Rambling around Water Features nr. Garstang - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
A walk investigating how we have utilised the local water resources over the years.

A Four Parish Ramble - 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
A pleasant ramble from Wallings Farm, Cockerham, including a picturesque stretch of Lancaster Canal.

Inskip Health Walk - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A one hour health walk around this rural parish.

Evening Bluebell Walk with Garstang Ramblers - 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Join Garstang Ramblers for an evening ramble to view the Bluebell woods.

Run with Garstang Running Club - 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Fancy a run, come and join Garstang Running Club (between 3-8 miles, pace to suit).

Wednesday 12 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 2 - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm

Second day of the Wyre Way Challenge – Shard Bridge to Garstang.

Brock Valley Ramble - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Walk along the River Brock – through ancient wooded valleys carpeted with bluebells, up to Bleasdale.

A Bushcraft Walk with Tamarak Outdoors - 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Discover the art of bushcraft with local expert Mike Rushton.

Wyre’s Ancient Churches - 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
A chance to investigate the ancient churches – Churchtown and St Michaels – combined with a country ramble.

Claylands Ramble - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Gentle ramble through the picturesque village of Scorton, with magnificent views towards Morecambe Bay.

Barnacre Health Walk - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A rural one hour walk for those who want to get fit and remain healthy.

Garstang Historical Pub Trail - 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Find out why Garstang had so many old pubs and where they were, why some survived and others failed.

Thursday 13 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 3 - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Third day of the Wyre Way Challenge – Garstang to Abbeystead.

Hambleton Pram and Toddler Walk - 9.30 am – 10.30 am
A short, fun toddle for the under 5’s and parents, fully accessible for prams and buggies.

Garstang’s Cheesy Walk - 9.30 am – 1.00 pm
Take a ramble from Garstang to the local cheese factory and find out how cheese is made.

Beacon Fell Boundary Walk - 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
Join the Beacon Fell Ranger for a ramble around the bounding of Beacon Fell.

Balsam Bashing - 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Join the Rangers to help control this invasive weed by pulling up this shallow rooted plant.

Scorton Health Walk - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A rural one hour health walk for those who want to get fit and remain healthy.

Evening Views Across Morecambe Bay - 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
A walk to take in the spectacular evening views across the Fylde plain and out to Morecambe Bay.

Friday 14 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 4 - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
The final day of the challenge – a circular loop taking in Tarnbrook and Marshaw.

Bowland Fells Ramble - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
A strenuous fell walk on the Bowland fells.

Churchtown Legstretcher - 11.00 am – 1.00 pm
A circular walk from Churchtown through Wyre’s rural countryside.

Springtime Ramble - 11.00 am – 3.30 pm
A country ramble starting from JC Country.

Dendrology Walk - 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm
A look at all things woody – a mix of biodiversity and folklore.

From Grass to Ice Cream – Old Holly Farm - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Walk through the organic farm and see the crops we grow that feed the cows that produce the milk and how the ice cream is made back at the farm.

Garstang Evening Walk - 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
A circular walk taking in Lancaster Canal & passing Greenhalgh Castle.

Saturday 15 May
The Fairtrade Way - 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
Walk the first leg of the new ‘Fairtrade Way’ between Garstang and Lancaster.

Navigation with BPMRT - 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
Learn to use a map with Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team.

Highrise Herons - 10.00 am – 12 noon
A chance to visit Claughton Heronry to see the birds in their tree top nests.

Trees of the World in Scorton - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Visit a RHS member’s private tree collection in Scorton.

A Walk with the Bloom Team - 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
A walk with the ‘Garstang in Bloom’ volunteers around Garstang.

Sunday 16 May
Spring Morning Birdwatch - 7.00 am – 9.00 am
Early morning birdwatch with local farmer and RSPB from Cobble Hey.

Calder Vale Round - 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
A walk into the Bowland foothills from Garstang.

Family Cycle Ride - 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm
A gentle cycle ride for all abilities, led by Garstang Cycling Club.

Bluebell Teas Stroll - 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Discover a beautiful bluebell wood at Calder Vale, afternoon teas available (extra cost).

Nicky Nook Geo Walk - 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm
Investigate the geology and landscape of Nicky Nook.

Historical Transport Links of Garstang - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Discover how Garstang became an important transport corridor to the north.

Sunday Stroll - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A guided stroll along the banks of the Wyre Estuary and country lanes.
 

This is a brief snap shot of what is available during the Walking Festival.
For more detailed information and a copy of the Garstang Walking Festival brochure and booking form from the Visit Garstang Centre, Wyreside Visitor Centre or Wyre Civic Centre.

How to find out more visit www.wyrebc.gov.uk, search Garstang Walking Festival.

Visit Garstang Centre,
Cherestanc Square,
Garstang, Lancashire, PR3 IEF
Tel: 01995 602125
Email: garstangtic@wyrebc.gov.uk

Last Edited: 30/04/2010