Preston — Blackburn (Lancashire)
Prebla one
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Prebla here.

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Prebla here.
By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021
Description
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Preston and Blackburn (Lancashire).
Know of a better route? Share it here.
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Preston and Blackburn (Lancashire).
Know of a better route? Share it here.
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Prebla one
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 6
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Preston
Grid Ref
SD5346429122
Lat / Lon
53.75638° / -2.70728°
Easting / Northing
353,464E / 429,122N
What3Words
join.sleeps.than
Blackburn (Lancashire)
Grid Ref
SD6846227909
Lat / Lon
53.74662° / -2.47968°
Easting / Northing
368,463E / 427,910N
What3Words
circle.shorts.jacket
Prebla One's land is
Preston | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SD5346429122 |
Lat / Lon | 53.75638° / -2.70728° |
Easting / Northing | 353,464E / 429,122N |
What3Words | join.sleeps.than |
Blackburn (Lancashire) | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | SD6846227909 |
Lat / Lon | 53.74662° / -2.47968° |
Easting / Northing | 368,463E / 427,910N |
What3Words | circle.shorts.jacket |
Other agricultural land | 8.9% |
Pasture | 59.3% |
Urban | 27.1% |
Woods | 4.6% |
Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018
review
AndrewH
25 Oct 2021This isn't an ideal Slow Ways route because of the extent of road walking but I am familiar with the area and in my view this is the best option for a direct walking route, comprising a mix off off-road paths (some tarmac) and quiet roads. Any route between these two towns has to cross the River Ribble - there is a major bridge to the East of Preston on the A59 and the next one upstream is not until after Ribchester, several miles away. The road network naturally heads towards this A59 bridge, so opportunities to walk away from the roads are limited.
I have suggested three alternative sections in my review (A B & C), where I think access etc. is difficult and there are better options available.
The first few miles make use of the Guild Wheel footpath/cycle path, a nice semi-rural way to exit Preston. After crossing the Ribble at the aforementioned A59 bridge, there is a noisy but safe stretch alongside the A59 (wide pavement) before heading North via Porter Lane and then SE on Dean Lane to the A59 again. At this point, after crossing over the A59, the route short cuts through a field to the A677 but when I walked it the field exit to the A677 was very badly flooded. (A) I would recommend the very short detour via the main road junction to the West, which also enables you to use the pedestrian crossing to get over the A59.
The next section from the A677 at SD 60753 30218 (What Three Words ///round.smile.soggy) heads SE across the fields and runs parallel to Spring Lane, before joining it near to Blue Slate Farm. This is a very little used section with some tricky and badly overgrown navigation around the stream crossing. (B) It would be simpler to miss this short section and use Spring Lane instead, starting from the major junction to the West, particularly if you have used suggestion A above.
Some more quiet road walking follows, there is then a lovely section through Alum House Wood and across fields before joining the Witton Weavers Way at Close Farm. About half a mile later the recommended route leaves the Witton Weavers Way at SD 64465 27601 (///hungry.wells.sting) but thereafter a short section near Lower Fold appears to go through a back garden. Whilst it appears to be a right of way it's not ideal and it is possible to avoid this (C) Stay on the Witton Weavers Way at SD 64465 27601, which climbs a low open ridge with some lovely views and, close to Butlers Delph, a memorial carving of Alfred Wainright incorporating an interesting directional plaque marking major landmarks. This is by far the best viewpoint on the entire route and in my view this diversion is a much better option. Thereafter the route enters Billinge Woods and rejoins the original Slow Ways Route at SD 65706 27922 (///kinks.juror.civil). After half a mile or so of a quiet road you enter Blackburn proper and then it's just a case of trudging the streets to the Town Centre.
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