Clefle one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Cleveleys to Fleetwood 1 (Clefle 1) review.

A straightforward Slow Way that follows a wide seaside promenade for most of the route.

The route starts at Cleveleys with plenty of amenities. I dropped in at the circular KBKafé coffee shop north of Cleveleys. I discovered the seafront location was used in the recent Star Wars TV show ‘Andor’.

The broad promenade has great views over the sea, and south towards the distant Blackpool (Photo 1). It turns eastward at a golf course.

The beach towards Fleetwood had many people fishing (Photo 2). The Slow Way cuts inland for the final stretch, via a boating lake. Alternatively, keep to the shoreline path.

Fleetwood has plenty of amenities and more great views near the lighthouse (Photo 3). The Blackpool to Fleetwood tram stops at both ends of the Slow Way.

Although the initial steps at Cleveleys may look prohibitive to some, the promenade can be accessed via wide gentle ramps a short distance along the road. Some sections of the prom are newly surfaced, the rest have pretty good surfaces too. Sometimes there are two levels, and it’s possible to use either. They are connected, from time to time, by slopes or steps (often alternating) but a high step separates them. It is also possible to walk on the beach, or on the paved road some of the time. At the time I walked this, in winter, there had been a big storm which had brought pebbles, gravel and sand onto the path in places, but two separate locals assured me that this is not usually the case and the council would clear it quickly. It serves as a warning to avoid the route in severe weather though!
The middle section past Rossall School (no trespassing on their grounds!), Larkholme Grasslands and the golf course feels slightly wild and remote, but isn’t and there are often lots of walkers around. There are access points to the path along here, highlighted by tall poles, and there is quite a lot of seating. There are also fabulous views across to the Lake District, and also the Bowland Fells inland.
Rossall Point is marked by the unusual lookout tower of Fleetwood Coastwatch Institution (an organisation of volunteers who have stepped in as Coastguard stations have closed). Parts of it are open to the public at certain times. There is a public toilet at the back of the building, available 24/7 for 30p.
Bizarrely, the route turns inland at this point, and follows the road for the last mile and a half. Even more bizarrely, none of the previous three reviewers mentioned this. The road passes the boating lake and “gardens” (large dog-exercising grass area) and Mount Pavilion, but I’d rather have walked the north-facing last section along the coast. 1* lost for this!.

Great accessible off-road route for walkers and cyclists alike, sharing a wide promenade on a couple of levels in places. Views across to the mountains of the Lake District. Amenities at Cleveleys and Fleetwood but not in between. Part of the route has recently benefited from considerable investment, creating a new, attractive section of Promenade.

A great flat walk, very easy to navigate and very accessible.

With the right weather, at the right time of day, this is an easy but spectacular route along the sea walls. It is accessible to all.

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