For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

It was my intention last year to do some walking in The Forest of Bowland but due to the RA problems I had these plans were put on an indefinite hold. However today was time to make a little amends with a delightful, if somewhat warm walk from Slaidburn. Stocks-In-Bowland is a lost village, lost beneath the waters of Stocks Reservoir close to the Island. The church was dismantled and it's stones used to build a new church , the tiny church of St.James more commonly known as Dalehead Chapel. The walk itself is on easy paths with just one area in which the use of a compass would be useful in mist.

Slaidburn Village....we left the car in the car park (£1.60 for 11 hours). Our route started here with a short walk up the road.

At the War memorial turn right to cross over Croasdale Beck and take a path on the right.

The path, shown on the left, follows the beck for a short distance before turning up to the left to a wall corner.

A look back to the bridge over Croasdale Beck.

At the wll corner keep the wall on your left and follow the track.

At the top of the track you join this farm lane. Turn right to go over the bridge (Holmehead Bridge) over the River Hodder.

Holmehead Bridge

Continue to follow the farm lane as it crosses Barn Gill

To pass Hammerton Hall on your left. Now in rather a sad state of repair this was once a fine Elizabethan Mansion and stands on the site of 12th Century Hall.

As you pass through the farmyard take the left of three gates to take a gently rising path towards some woods.

Now I'm not familar with all these fells as yet so bear with me. I believe that the left one is Beatrix Fell with Dunsop Fell to the right. (Corrections welcomed)

Looking back down our track. From just past where we are now our path follows the edge of a forest for a while.

The barn at Higher Laithe

A brief glimpse of Stocks Reservoir as we lose the forest for a while.

Walking through the gorgeous meadows down to Black House farm

Leaving Black House.

At last the views down onto Stocks Reservoir are opened up. This is looking to the south.

And this to the north. The remains of Stocks-In-Bowland , it's cottages, Inn, shops and school are located near the island.

Dalehead Chapel built with the stonework from the village church

According to a notice in the Chapel the churchground contains 130 different varieties of wild flowers.....I hadn't time to count

Couldn't help but notice this unusual feature......The electricity produced is sufficient to run energy effecient lighting with any surplus being dumped in sequence into three storage heaters.

The tiny chapel only as three rows of pews enough for about 15 people

From the Chapel we walked up the road a short way before taking a path on the right through here to cross a wall stile into....

...this open field where our route was to the barn in the centre.

From the barn we followed a track to the farm of Brook House Green.

Where Edith made friends with the foal.

Remember in the intro I mentioned a potential awkard bit in mist?.....Well this is the section from Brook House Green to Higher Stony Bank seen in the distance. No path to call and quite rough moorland and very wet if its rained much. In mist a bearing of 155degrees wont leave you far out. There is a cross wall about half way along with a wall stile, just hit the wall and start looking. Today of course posed no such problems.

A look back at Brook House Green

There's the cross wall & stile

Arrival at Higher Stony Bank

There is now a short road section on what is the highest section of the walk. you can just see the reservoir to the left of the Chapel roof

Passing through Standridge

Now I think that's Pendle Hill....someone will let me know if I'm wrong.

Passing the Pikefield Plantation between Standridge and High Field.

All downhill now to High Field

We found this in an old field ditch. Would make a lovely garden ornament but Edith couldn't pick it up.

Better not say owt

Not to far now. The village kept popping in and out of sight.

Back

And the car as been gently cooking despite parking it under the trees.

Next Walk:      26th June 2009 - Yorkshire Dales (South) - A walk from Malham Tarn

Last Walk:       23rd June 2009 - Arnside & Silverdale - Trowbarrow & Hawes Water

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