The best walks and hikes around Cuerdale

Lots of hideaways to stop and admire the wildlife

Brockholes is a new kind of nature reserve: an unreserved reserve that brims with wildlife, teaches the next generation about the wonders of nature, and gives back to the local community through Myplace and Forest School projects. This former sand and gravel quarry has been transformed into a natural haven. Fields brimming with orchids and yellow rattle, woods shining bright with bluebells, and tranquil lakes all transport you to a magical wonderland. Spring sees the beginning of the Brockholes baby boom as lapwings, oystercatchers, redshank and more breed on Meadow Lake and Number 1 Pit. And don’t miss a walk through the woodland to admire vast carpets of beautiful bluebells. In May, whimbrel roost in large numbers, while throughout spring and summer swifts, sand martins and hobbies create fantastic aerial displays over the lakes. As the sun shines, the reserve literally buzzes with insects. Clouds of damselflies rest on leaves and paths, and dragonflies dart across the water. Five and six-spot burnet moths weigh down every flower, while small copper, common blue and comma butterflies seem to flit from every corner. Don’t miss the chance to spot the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which can be seen at Brockholes for just three weeks spanning July and August. Autumn is the time to see ospreys passing over Brockholes on their way back to Africa, while in winter, the reserve is packed with migratory waders. Winter is also a great time to try and see bitterns as they venture out onto the ice.

Brockholes was previously a major quarry extraction site. The land was bought by the Trust in January 2007, and the reserve opened to the public at Easter 2011. It has been regenerated as a mosaic of key habitats such as pools, reedbeds and woodland. The reserve is aimed less at dedicated bird-watchers and nature lovers than the general public of the big cities. The riverbank is covered in steaming ferns and rampant Himalayan balsam. Brockholes offers a wide range of events throughout the year and over 250 acres of trails and hides. It has already seen record numbers of breeding wading birds along with visitors such as osprey, otter and bittern. Now it's a beautiful nature reserve with amazing wildlife.

Neolithic to Saxon finds from along the River Ribble during the creation of the Preston Docks and others revealed man has been in the area for a long time. The River Ribble looked completely different then and the coastline is likely to have been much further inland than it is at present where land has been reclaimed and the marsh extended out into the River Ribble due to sedimentation. The Ribble would appear to have been known in Roman times as the Belisama,possibly giving its name to Samlesbury. Ptolemy's "Belisama aest." seems to represent the estuary of the Ribble. Bremetennacum was a Roman fort that guarded a crossing-point of the river at Ribchester. Remains of another Roman site were discovered at Walton-le-Dale in the mid-19th century.

Yes, really nice views, ni e area

Just be careful here as the gradient is steep and the cobles are 'slippery when wet' - do as the signage says - dismount!

Have a good look around on both sides of the path!

The Ribble Way is a 116km long distance trail following the course of the river Ribble. It starts at Gayle Moor near Ribblehead and ends at Longton near Preston. The whole trail would be a tough challenge to run although it's waymarked, well surfaced and fairly flat. It does make really good sections and worth looking out for wherever you are based. Here in south Preston the trail runs along the river through the south of the city. The section through Avingham Park is very pretty with the bridges and viaducts over the river and the ornamental park to the north. You can make a nice loop using it and the parks on both sides of the river if you fancy it.