My December, Mere Sands Wood, walk with the Southport guys was to be a familiar one. We started at Fettler’s Wharf, Rufford. Well, actually we started at Tastebuds at Fettler’s Wharf, where I had a large cup of tea and an excellent bacon barm cake.
The Route
From Fettler’s Wharf, we walked to the canal and turned North towards Spark Bridge. Just on the far side of Spark Bridge, a flight of steps takes you up on to the A581 Croston Road. Turn rightand then immediately left on to Spark Lane. Follow this quiet lane to its junction with the A59 and cross with care to Croston Drive.
Follow this path all the way to it’s junction with the B5246, Holmeswood Road, then turn right and then left down the drive to Mere Sands Wood. There are loads of paths through the woods, but your aim is the SE corner of the wood, so that you exit past the cricket ground.
Your path now follows the small stream, firstly from Cousin’s Lane to Brick Kiln Lane and then on to Sluice Lane. Cross Sluice Lane and the path follows on the right hand side of the stream, past A1 Plant Hire and leads you to the A59. Once again, cross carefully.
Turn right and then go left, over the swing bridge and turn left again to join the tow path which leads back to Fettler’s Wharf, Tastebuds, a cup of tea and the car.
Points of Interest
Opposite Fettler’s Wharf is Saint Mary’s Marina. The two marinas are on the Tarleton branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. It is now possible to go right up to Hesketh Bank and across the Ribble Estuary to join the Lancaster Canal on the outskirts of Preston.
Also in Rufford is Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust property, which is well worth a visit.
As you cross Brick Kiln Lane you will see on your left a building which used to be Rufford Methodist Church.
It was founded before 1893.The Wesleyan Methodist church was formed in the 18th century from religious societies founded by John Wesley and his preachers. It suffered many secessions, but was the largest Nonconformist denomination in the 19th century. In 1932 the Wesleyan Methodists joined with the Primitive Methodists and the United Methodists to form the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The building was used for some years as a retreat and meeting rooms for the Ormskirk Methodist Circuit and is now a private home.
The walk is 5 miles (8km ish) and it took us ages because we gabbed all the way round. Very ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.
You can easily extend the route to take in more canal, Martin Mere or even Burscough