Dog walk

Avenham Valley / Old Tram Road

Preston, Penwortham

Type of walk

Flat, Park

What's here

Free Parking, Off Lead Areas, On Lead Areas, Pathed Routes, Picnic Areas, Water On Route, Toilets, Refreshments Available, Wheelchair Friendly

About this walk

There are numerous variations that can be applied to walking in this area, either on tarmac / gravel paths, muddy paths thought trees and fields, etc. Yours to explore.

The walk described below is one of many in the that Brody and I do reasonably regularly. It's paved, mostly off lead and with the exception of cyclists and the occasional local council vehicle, traffic free and depending on how quickly you walk, is at least an hour in duration. Approximately 3 miles.

I park at the end of Factory Lane, Lower Penwortham. PR1 9SN. Free Parking can be found opposite the 'Vernon's Mill' which is a very obvious landmark. The lane is about half a mile long and you will pass under the active railway line, pass 'Vernon's - Cabus' Cricket Ground on your left. Then, another hundred yards to the car park.

Leave the car park and walk left down the lane, through a gate and a slight incline to a junction in the track. Take the second left hand turning through some bollards / barriers onto the Old Tram Road (which is tree lined and magical in sunlight) for just over a mile until you reach the Tram Bridge crossing the River Ribble (looking left you can see the Railway Bridge that you will cross later). At the opposite end of the bridge you enter Avenham Park.

Once across the bridge, carry straight on up an incline, between some grit-stone boulders, passing the 'Belvadere' on your right. This path takes you across the top of the park until you reach the park main entrance on your right. Turn downhill towards the Park Cafe which is a good stopping off place with toilets, water for thirsty dogs, tables and benches outside, etc.

From the cafe, walk towards the River and the Old Railway Bridge you saw from the tram bridge is on your right and to the right of the archway is a set of stone steps leading up onto the bridge.

Cross the bridge and carry straight on for just over a mile, pass through a gate and you have reach your start point, the junction at the end of Factory Lane which is on your right.

Walk added by

brody

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Comments (7)

outandaboutfamily
8 years ago

We did this walk today , lovely walk very easy with two small kids , dog allowed off lead most of the way , Avenham is a great half way point , lots of space for dog and kids to play , nice cafe. Great instructions from the site
K300
6 years ago

I have walked this many times and MOST of the walk the dogs can be off the lead ... BONUS. No livestock to be seen and in areas very open but safe away from any roads.
Shivvers
5 years ago

This is a nice walk but the first bridge is totally closed and has been for a year which led us to get s bit lost. At the first bridge if you follow the path to the left you can cross at the next bridge (if you want to go to the cafe) or at this bridge you turn left again and it follows the track in the original walk back to the car.
marykateroscoe
4 years ago

Nice park. Full of people and bikes and some parts dogs should be on leads. Always busy.
Rosiepops1988
3 years ago

Dogs have to be kept on a lead a lot but very nice views
Scottie4
2 years ago

Good evening my dog walker did this walk today with some dogs that she also walks and she was terribly verbally abused by this man in his sixty days that the dogs should be on a lead and that it was a nature reserve he nearly backed up on one of the dogs he even used nasty language. Saying that he was going to report my friend she was very Shook up by this
Lottieloola
2 years ago

Tram road/bridge closed but the park is lovely