A Lancashire Walk that explores the Lune Estuary and coast to the west of Lancaster. This Lancashire walk starts from Glasson Dock which at one time had high hopes as being a port serving Lancaster. The route follows a section of the Lancashire Coastal Way with the opportunity to visit the ruins of Cockersand Abbey before continuing along the coast. The final section uses rural inland footpaths to return to the start.
Calculated time: 3h25[?] 
Distance : 7.15mi
Vertical gain : 112ft
Vertical drop : 115ft
Highest point : 62ft
Lowest point : 3ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Thurnham
Starting point : N 53.99751° / W 2.84471° (D)The start is Glasson Dock carpark (grid ref. SD446561) from where you walk west along Tithebarn Hill through the village. Reaching a road junction, turn south. Close to here is one of the highest points on the route from where you have a good view across the River Lune Estuary. At the next junction (grid ref. SD442556), turn right along Marsh Lane.
(1)You have now joined the Lancashire Coastal Way. Follow this track west towards the coast at Crook Farm turning south, with the Estuary to your right, to Plover Hill at 7 metres above sea level! The path turns south and you have the option of taking a footpath on your left (grid ref. SD426537) to visit the ruins of Cockersand Abbey.
(2)The main route continues along the coast to reach Bank Houses where you briefly join a road before continuing along a track to pass Bank End. The track improves to a tarmac lane. At the end of straight section the Lancashire Coastal Way goes right but for this route we keep on the road and turn left following the lane to reach Hillam. Here take the footpath on the left by Hillam Farm and walk north to Norbreck Farm (which will be on your right). Continue north passing the high spot on the route - a trig point at 23 metres above sea level.
(3)As you descend from this 'hill', the path doglegs before reaching a T-junction (grid ref. SD450540). Turn left here and continue to the next crossroads of paths. Turn right here and walk to Moss Lane. Cross this lane and continue north to meet a track (grid ref. SD446550). Go left here and follow the road round to the right into Dobs Lane. This leads you into Old Glasson and on to rejoin the outward route. All that remains is to retrace your steps back to Glasson Dock.(A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 20ft - Glasson Dock carpark
1 : mi 0.54 - alt. 46ft - Turn right along Marsh Lane
2 : mi 2.37 - alt. 13ft - Cockersand Abbey
3 : mi 4.9 - alt. 59ft - Descend hill to T-junction
D/A : mi 7.15 - alt. 16ft - Glasson Dock carpark
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.22/5
Number of opinions : 3
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 4.67/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 12/05/21
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
A great circular walk on flat coastal land, including a section of Lancashire Coastal Path. Passes by the remains of old abbey. Some sections can be affected by high tides. Choice of cafe at Glasson Dock now that they’ve reopened post-Covid. If you’re lucky you’ll also get an aerial display whilst walking from the Black Knights Parachute Centre at Patty’s Barn (which is also a great place to stay)!
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 06/05/21
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Started at 10 30 from dock carpark opposite cafe/shop.Sunny spells and occasional showers but bitingly cold at approx. 7 degrees!! Low for May!! my colleague needed gloves. Did estuary bit first, making a slight change from map route in that at top of Tithebarn Hill we we followed footpath sign directly ahead towards marsh instead of turning south and then right into Marsh Lane(would recommend as off road and recognised path which eventually rejoins stated route). Tide receding, visibility clear. Blackpool tower visible on Fylde, good views of Sunderland Point. Plenty of waders seen including large flocks of Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Terrain on marsh OK but a little vigilance required to avoid ruts in marsh. Ordinary walking boots or equivalent OK. Stopped briefly to see Cockerham Abbey and its French influence. Map easy to follow down to Bankhouse and past holiday park(closed due to Covid at time) up the estuary. Return route through farms and fields needs careful observation of map as path not always clear cut. Total length of our walk was 12.7 km with no difficult bits except having to climb over a 5 barred metal gate at first farm.on return leg. Time 3.5 hours with 30 min break for lunch. Very peaceful and enjoyable walk and we did not meet a single walker in either direction!! Would recommend.
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/02/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
In truth, we started the walk on a wild day in January with a westerly gale and showers. Consequently, the first part of the walk through the fields was very boggy. Once on the coastal path, the going was much better and the views out over the Lune Estuary, Plover Scar and Sunderland Point were magnificent.
As we left the coastal path, the showers turned to torrential rain and rather than get bogged down in the fields, we returned to the start via the very quiet country lanes - quite a good alternative if it is poor underfoot.
We will definitely return and do the complete walk in the spring/summer.
11.02mi
+1558ft
-1549ft
6h25
Difficult
Starting point in Claughton - Lancashire Ths Forest of Bowland offers some of the finest walking in Lancashire. However some of the moorland sections can be quite boggy after rain. A good sense of direction is required certainly during the first section of this walk. Refreshments are not available during this walk so make sure you take food and water.
6.05mi
+72ft
-72ft
2h50
Easy
Starting point in Penwortham - Lancashire The walk starts from Penwortham water tower(01 Start on map) and follows the anticlockwise circular route via River Ribble, Howick Cross and Blashaw Wood.
More details : http://www.graemelinford.com/walks/penwo...
6.06mi
+427ft
-427ft
3h10
Average
Starting point in Ribchester - Lancashire The walk starts Ribchester Arms, Ribchester and follows clockwise circular route via Duddle Wood, Higher Hud and River Ribble.
More details : http://www.graemelinford.com/walks/ribch...
6.48mi
+367ft
-374ft
3h20
Average
Starting point in Clayton-le-Dale - Lancashire The walk starts from Baker Brow above Ribchester Bridge and follows a clockwise circular route via Dinckley Bridge.
More details : http://www.graemelinford.com/walks/dinck...
4.89mi
+246ft
-249ft
2h30
Easy
Starting point in Osbaldeston - Lancashire The walk starts from Osbaldestone Green and follows the anticlockwise circular route via banks of River Ribble.
More details : http://www.graemelinford.com/walks/osbal...
6.9mi
+1207ft
-919ft
4h15
Average
Starting point in Staveley-in-Cartmel - Cumbria This circular walk in the South Lakeland offers fine views of Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells from the summit of Gummers How. The walk also includes woodland and open countryside.
5.89mi
+538ft
-545ft
3h10
Average
Starting point in Blackburn with Darwen Walk starts from Witton Park car park and follows anti clockwise circular route via Billinge Wood, Houghton Bottoms and Pleasington.
More details : http://www.graemelinford.com/walks/witto...
5.8mi
+427ft
-400ft
3h00
Average
Starting point in Livesey - Blackburn with Darwen The walk starts from Stockclough Lane and follows an anticlockwise circular route via Stanworth Wood, Abbeyvillage and Tockholes.
More details : http://www.graemelinford.com/walks/witto...
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
