Fourteen walkers took the train to Ormskirk for an adapted War Horse Walk. We set off through the station car park and along the Smith Way footpath, following part of the old Ormskirk to Skelmersdale railway line. It was named after Peter and Margaret Smith who campaigned actively for footpaths in the area. This led us through a wooded dell and to steep steps up to Dark Lane. We followed Dark Lane for half a mile before turning into Lathom Lane. Crossing a field took us to Sandy Lane where we turned off into more fields taking us to a path known as Lady Alice’s Drive. Lady Alice died in a horse and carriage accident here in 1897. A flock of Canada Geese flew overhead before settling in the field. Leaving the path we turned on to Cranes Lane where we passed some donkeys in a field at Jack Leg Farm. With Ormskirk Golf Club on our left we soon came back to Lathom Lane. We stopped here for a snack break and then turned into Lady’s Walk, a long uphill stretch of almost a mile passing a pumping station and with a view of Tower Hill Water Tower to our right. The tower was built in 1854 and is reputed to be the oldest remaining water tower in the country. At the end of Lady’s Walk was the busy A577 Crosshall Brow which we crossed with care before following a short path into Ruff Wood. We’d had intermittent light rain showers earlier but here the rain came heavier. Even with the cover of trees, we had a bit of a soaking but it soon passed. We left the wood and walked along Ruff Lane back into the town centre for lunch before taking the train back to Maghull. The walk had been muddy in parts due to the recent rains but all coped well.
Thanks to Anne, Brenda and Bob for organising, recce-ing and leading. See you all on the next one.
Excellent write-up. Well done.