Parlick in Springtime

Back in January 2023, we took a stroll over Parlick to admire the views of the West Lancashire coastline from the plateau summit of Fairsnape Point.

The weather was unseasonably mild, with not a hint of frost on the upland moors, and as we descended down Wolf Fell our coats were tied around our waists.

Today, we did the same walk on an unusually warm spring day; 22° and it has barely rained for two months, since the beginning of March. On one hand, the warm dry weather has been a treat - with lots of walks and regular sunset drinks in the garden, but the story told by our moorland is less idyllic as all the signs point to drought if we don't get some rain soon.

It was immediately clear from the dusty uphill track that Parlick had seen no rain for a while. The normally green grasses and reedbeds were struggling to establish themselves in the unusually arid landscape, and even the gorse looked thirsty.

We stopped and admired the clear views out towards the coast, where broad stretches of sandy beach stretched out beyond the iconic silhouette of Blackpool Tower, then turned back to follow the path across the peat bogs.

The ground beneath our feet was bone dry, and reminiscent of sand dunes rather than moorland, and when we reached the bogs, it was clear that they were dehydrating, the usual squelch of spagnum moss replaced by crunching beneath our feet.

In fact, the bog itself was barely apparent; instead there were gaping cracks and deep crevices revealing depths of crumbly dry peat that were far too easy to cross.

Yes, it makes a striking and beautiful contrast with the swathes of cotton grass growing as far as the eye could see, but it also made for an eerie sight, and there must be real concerns about the possibility of wildfires, and the consequences of that happening don't bear thinking about.

We easily negotiated the dessicated bogland to follow a trail of paving stones to the viewpoint at Saddle Fell, where we admired another vista, this one stretching out towards the Lake District.

Retracing our steps, we passed through a gate and made our way back to the main path.

There was a distinct absence of birdsong as we followed the path across the plain, winding its way through scratchy clumps of heather, not yet in bloom.

We watched as an isolated and much-needed cloudburst watered a small area over towards Preston, but other than that the sky was clear and blue with only a light breeze.

As we continued down towards Wolf Fell there were lovely views over to Pendle Hill, and beyond to the Yorkshire Dales, the flat top of Ingleborough clearly visible.

The lower down we got, the greener the landscape became, and the birdsong returned. We were chased away by skylarks as we passed their ground nests among the grasses, and serenaded by hedgerow birds as we approached the woodland at Saddle End.

Towards the end of the walk, as we approached Wolfen Hall, we passed across a wooden bridge and through a beautiful gully which was swathed in masses of bluebells...

...and as we emerged up a steep path, we were greeted by a field of buttercups - beautiful!

The final stretch was easy, past the farm and along the access track back to Fell Foot where we had left the car.

Apart from the initial uphill trek, this is an easy walk with beautiful far-reaching views, and at around 3hrs, it would be accessible for most people.

Just a few minutes drive and we were back in the lovely village of Chipping, where there are two pubs to choose, from for a well-deserved post-ramble drink.

Our conversation turned to the unusually dry weather and the impact it is having on the environment, and I don't often say this, but I hope it rains soon!