Woodland walk with a chance to spot flamingos and a canalside pub perfect for another sunny day

Somehow, there’s yet another sunny weekend expected in Lancashire and it looks to be ideal conditions for getting out.

This week’s suggested walk takes advantage of that, with canals and woods allowing you to enjoy the heat while also getting some respite from the gentle breezes and shade. There’s also an excellent pub part-way through, which gives a choice of cooling off outside or enjoying the fine weather in its beer garden.

The walk, originally created by Visit West Lancs, is among our longer ones and covers an area around the Burscough wetlands and a picturesque stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. As well as walking through part of the well maintained and peaceful Mere Sands Wood, you’ll also pass by the Martin Mere Wetland Centre where you may be lucky enough to see some flamingos as you pass by.

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A small car park at the end of Platts Lane (L40 7TE) is the start and end of the walk. From there you quickly step into the lesser known nature spot that is Platts Lane Lake. Here, the mosaic of wetlands, woodlands and grasslands make the site a haven for local wildlife. The reeds and flowers around the ponds hide frogs, water beetles, and dragonflies, while the woodlands provide a home for lots of small mammals and garden and woodland birds such as owls.

The route continues along a stretch of the canal before reaching the aforementioned nature reserves and more woodland before returning to the waterside. Towards the end of the walk, you can enjoy a stop at the Slipway pub which sits overlooking the water.

With a picture postcard setting, highly rated food and a range of drinks including cask ales, it’s a perfect stopping point on a weekend walk. The route covers a total distance of 12 miles and is largely on unsurfaced paths, so it’s important to ensure you have adequate footwear and clothing and that you pack enough water to remain hydrated.

• Start at the small car parking area at the end of Platts Lane that can be accessed by crossing the railway bridge. Enter the site via one of two framed barriers and walk along the path past a small pond and picnic area (the main fishing lake will be in front of you)
• Turn left over the wooden bridge and follow the path around the fishing lake until you reach a bin and noticeboard. Turn left and follow the path to exit the site onto Chapel Lane. Follow the pavement to the right, round the turning circle and follow the path between the school and the church. Turn right at the end of the hedge and then zig zag to the left down the hill
• Turn left behind the trees and follow the ditch line to your left. Follow the path over the footbridge and out onto Flax Lane. Turn left along Flax Lane and then right along Briars Lane (A5209). Follow Briars Lane until the brown “Ship Inn” directional sign and then turn left onto Wheat Lane
• Cross the canal bridge and turn left onto the tow path of the Leeds-Liverpool canal. After a quarter mile, you will cross a stone bridge. Turn right immediately after the bridge to follow the Rufford Branch of the canal. Cross School Lane and switch to the right hand side of the canal. Follow the tow path for around two miles until you reach a white swing bridge that has a red stop sign on the side. Cross the bridge onto the A59
• Cross the road and turn right. After around 100m turn left down steps onto a footpath and turn right. Follow the field boundary right and then ditch to sluice lane. Cross the bridge and continue to follow the footpath. Cross the ditch at Brick Kiln Lane. Continue to follow the path and at Cousins Lane the route crosses the ditch again and enters Rufford Cricket Club. Follow the ditch line and enter Mere Sands Wood
• Enter the wood. There is a map in front of you. The route will exit the wood via the footpath in the centre of the southern boundary. However, MSW visitor centre has toilets and facilities to stop for a snack. Follow the path to the right and follow to the visitor centre. From the visitor centre turn left out of the car park and follow the path round the perimeter of the site until you reach the southern pedestrian entrance signposted Martin Mere
• Follow the footpath with the ditch to your left. Turn left onto Sandy Way. Follow the road until it takes a 90 degree left turn. Follow the footpath straight ahead and over the wooden footbridge. Follow the ‘martin mere’ signs around the field to the right and then south along a raised footpath across the field. Turn right when you reach the farm track and follow until it emerges onto Tarlscough Lane
• Turn right along the road. After around 100m cross the road and follow the footpath along the perimeter fence of Martin Mere. Follow the path to the wooden gate. Ahead is the Martin Mere Reedbed walk which is free to the public to access. Turn left towards Marsh Moss Lane. Cross the road and follow the footpath with the ditch to your left
• Follow the path until you reach a sign for ‘Burscough Bridge Interchange’. Here, the path turns right across the field towards the two large trees. Continue past the trees and cross the Wigan-Southport rail line and out to the canal. Turn left. Cross the canal at The Slipway pub and stop for some well earned refreshments
• Follow Crabtree Lane until the footpath sign. Turn left and follow the footpath across to Higgins Lane. Turn left then turn right along the footpath. Follow the hedge then the industrial estate boundary. Turn left behind the hedgerow opposite the end of the green metal fencing. Follow until the hedge ends
• Turn right behind the hedgerow. Follow along the hedgeline and through the alleyway onto the A59. Turn left. Follow the road to the pedestrian crossing and cross. Continue to follow the road. Turn right onto Platts Lane. Follow and cross the bridge to return to the car park

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