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.
7.97mi
+1145ft
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4h40
Easy
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+1558ft
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6h25
Difficult
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+72ft
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+427ft
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+52ft
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3h35
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6.48mi
+367ft
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3h20
Average
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+246ft
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2h30
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6.9mi
+1207ft
-919ft
4h15
Average
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
