The first 1.5km is uninspiring main road into Preston, but the walk surprisingly turns left at Pious X school through attractive woodland and bog land which will undoubtedly have wildlife....

William Huxham

Due to building work, the path goes through the grounds of Barton Church [not noticed before despite driving passed many times]. After coffee, the walk soon goes passed an ancient "pinfold"; the old A6 is quiet now until the busy Broughton roundabout and M6....

William Huxham

After leaving the canal, the route to Kirkham was mostly very quiet country roads. The country lanes into Kirkham were very quiet, with just a few dog-walkers using them....

Mary Oz

The plotter of this route may not have known, but there is now a major road construction project of a link road crossing the route between Salwick and Cottam which currently obliterates any possibility of walking through....

Mary Oz

The route started from Elswick along a reasonably quiet road as far as Roseacre, where it turned off into a muddy farm track past cows (in a barn) and goats (in plastic houses). After passing a slurry pit (!) I went through a gate onto another farm track which came out at the village of Wharles, which had a couple of benches. A longish, but quiet road section then led to the canal. The gate and stile between Whinnyfield Bridge and Whinnyfield Farm were in poor condition, and I found climbing over the gate to be the easiest option. I was quite pleased with this route, with a balance of quiet roads, muddy fields, canals and farm tracks....

Mary Oz

There are major roadworks going on in the are crossed by this route, between the A583 and the M55, to the west of Cottam and Lea. This is blocking or diverting some roads and footpaths, so this route cannot be walked at the moment. When the works have finished, “early in 2023” but not by mid-February, it is possible that there will be permanent changes....

Mary Oz

A section of country road leads to a field crossing with nice views all around. I could see where the route crossed a field by an unused footpath, but it was easier to follow the farm track which wiggled around the field edge. Then a wooded footpath (with snowdrops and wild garlic) leads to Ladyewell Shrine and via another muddy field, to the footbridge over the motorway. The Slow Way route proceeds along a 150-metre section of road before reaching the cycle track route 6 to head north. This is a mixed, mostly pleasant and rural route, which is a bit let down by some muddy unused field paths with some navigation issues....

Mary Oz

It’s a good idea to stay on the east side of the road, as the west side doesn’t always have a pavement. However, it will be necessary to cross the busy road just before the layby to reach the poorly signposted field footpath....

Mary Oz

The route starts along suburban footpaths between housing, accessed from the car park of the derelict (at the time of writing) pub, or through the churchyard....

Mary Oz

Maybe in the winter this section would be easier, and maybe the Ramblers will take it up with the local council, but for now, expect to be stung by nettles and thistles for most of the next mile. Unless the initial footpath is improved, I would suggest using Garstang Road and Whittingham Lane to reach the lane to Hoole’s Farm....

Mary Oz

From Preston railway station the route goes through the pedestrianised shopping centre, past a Shopmobility centre, then heads up past cafes and shops, then the university campus (UCLAN). It passes through housing areas to reach the A6 next to Moor Park. The historic Observatory can be seen in Moor Park, and the A6 is a wide straight road with interesting large old houses either side....

Mary Oz

I think this route would probably be accessible for good mobility scooters and buggies with the odd bit of judicious road crossing to avoid certain kerbs and overgrown hedges, but I have no personal experience to judge this....

Mary Oz

Doesn't really add anything to what any navigation App would suggest as it follows major/busy roads through North Preston. All roads suggested have pavements and pedestrian crossings are available where necessary. One of many possible urban routes between Fulwood and Preston City Centre; direct but not very interesting....

AndyMolyneaux