Lancashire
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Adlington
SD593118 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Rob Clarkson (15/02/2009)

'Adlington Ford'





Bay Horse
SD491531 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (06/01/2015)

'This farm ford is found on the River Cocker at Bay Horse.'





Cantsfield
SD620730 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (23/11/2014)

'This ford on the Cantsfield Beck is found just off the A687 at Abbotson Farm in Cantsfield.'







Catlow Bottoms (x2!)

SD884363 (2*) Suitable for All
SD884362 (1*) Suitable for All
(19/09/2002)

These two setted fords are well hidden away in the depths of East Lancashire moorland. Apparently, the road has been closed for sometime due to subsidence but is now quite passable by most vehicles. The first of the two fords (travelling north to south) is the bigger and has the potential to last for a couple of car lengths. Upstream are stepping stones whilst downstream is a small waterfall. Notice the unusual situation encountered below when a fellow motorist was encountered 'en ford'! (Image 1). Image mouseover shows a herd of cows enjoying the feature. Image 2 of the ford in flood sent in by Ian Marson (21/07/2009)

The second ford is placed approx 50 yards further along the road and is on a tributary of Catlow Brook. Slightly smaller than the first, this ford also looks like it has had a minor refurbishment (Image 3)





Childers Green
SD787309 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Lomas (04/12/2003)

'Minor road between Huncoat (Burnley Lane) and Hapton (Mill Hill Lane) About 20ft across and 1-2 inches deep at the time of visit. The beck is narrower/deeper and it is possible the ford is wider to lessen the depth. Concrete slab base, there is a concrete footbridge upstream and the remains of a clapper bridge downstream.'











Chipping (x3!)

SD625457 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
SD640459 (1*) Irish Bridge
SD641459 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Andrew JD Smith (20/10/2005)

'Firstly, there is a proper ford (Image 1), several inches deep with a stony base, on a muddy and badly rutted ORPA, north of the village. Stepping stones are provided for pedestrians.

Further east, on the road to Lickhurst Farm, which is at the eastern end of the same ORPA, the OS have marked their 1:25000 map with two fords. These turn out to be a pair of substantial Irish bridges that seem unlikely to flood. Images 2 and 3 show the eastern one and Image 4 shows the other, with a gate in between.'





Cuerden Valley Park
SD567240 (2*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Bryan Pullan and Rob Clarkson (15/02/2009)

'Cuerden Valley ford is not actually accessible to vehicles other than the Valley Park Warden and fishing permit holders who occasionally bring their gear to the lake by car. Ford has a concrete sleeper bottom and is generally around 6 inches deep although in wet spells it can become significantly deeper. There are boulders to act as markers on the downstream side. Fun on a mountain bike, but wet without mudguards.' www.geograph.org.uk





Foulridge
SD879418 (3*) Suitable for All
Image sent in by Ren Withnell (17/04/2004)

An excellent concrete bottomed ford of a few car lengths. I visited at low flows and it was still half a foot deep, so maybe one to watch in bad weather. A couple of kids were riding their bikes through the ford on this visit and were shouting at me to stall, I duly didn't oblige. The ford has recently been refurbished and now sports an excellent footbridge for ford spotters. Image mouseover sent in by John Lomas (22/12/2004)













Garstang
SD498462 (5*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Brown (20/01/2003)

'This must be a contender for the most fearsome monster officially designated as a ford. I approached from the northern end of Garstang town down the obscure Wyre Lane. I soon saw the high footbridge, and then a muddy but clearly well used track dropping down into the 40ft wide and fast flowing River Wyre. (Image 1)

But there was no sign of an exit ramp, so I abandoned ship and went on foot in search of it. From the bridge, there was still no clear indication in either direction...(Image 2 Mouseover sent in by Ken Wales, 05/02/2006)

... so I followed the footpath downstream, pacing out about 120yds until I came to another muddy but still well used ramp (Image 3: it's about 10yds this side of the white sign visible in the view from the bridge)

Although I was in a high 4x4 that is well used to fording South American rivers, I'm afraid that, being on my own, I chickened out of this one! Later, on the eastern approach, I came across this old sign - good Lancashire understatement! (Image 4)'

Account sent in by Dave Bamber
'I gave it a go as we have had very little rain recently and river levels are low. I started on the opposite side to Garstang after a quick recce on foot, from the bank and over the footbridge. I estimated the depth at my start point to be about 7 inchs, once past this, the river bed is exposed and just damp. I headed for the left bank, Garstang side, as it seemed the shallower option, well shallower but still about 8-9 inchs. I didn't stop to measure! I turned round and had and other go, and then another! The last run scared me as I stayed more in the centre of the river at the Garstang exit and it went a bit deep, like up to the wheel centre of my Land Rover (13inchs!!) I got through ok though and lived to tell the tail. I wouldn't recommend doing this one with much more water and a stronger current, or a snorkel.'

'On the Garstang side of the ford there is a safety line painted on the foot bridge foundation, allthough I have been through the ford with water well over the top of my wheels, (Frontera) I would not recomend it, I have seen this river in very wet weather eith the water level at the top of the entrance ramp!!!' Pete ?

'Don't approach the garstang exit from downstream but at 90 degrees from the river centre, the water came up onto the windscreen.' Ken Wales

'If you enter from the Garstang side keep right next to the bank, don't be tempted to aim for the middle shale island, drive down until you are level with the shale island then turn left on to it, stop for some pics then continue down the centre of the river, and drive slightly past the exit then turn sharp left to go up the exit. I have found this method ok for standard 4x4s as long as the water doesn't cover the rough concrete foundations of the bridge pillars. Jonathan McKeown

Finally, Image 5 shows Paul Manners testing the depth.





Goosnargh
SD568385 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (31/07/2002) and Kevin Parkes (10/08/2003)

'Herewith a pic of the Trojan full steam ahead (25 m p h) on this January's VSCC Measham Rally, crewed by self and Mark Appleton. The location is Ford Lane Ford, Goosnargh, Lancs. As you see, this is a nice fast little concrete-bottomed ford, two car lengths across and about 4" deep.'







Gressingham (x2!)

SD569699 (2*) Restricted Access
SD569699 (2*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Chris Marsh (03/11/2003)







Haylot
SD600630 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Brown (20/01/2003)

'A very picturesque double Irish bridge across a fell torrent in a scenic valley, on a remote and gated, but now asphalted, back road.'





Hoghton Bottoms
SD627272 (2*) Restricted Access
(22/04/2003)

On the edge of this Lancashire hamlet is this rough ford of around 7 car lengths. Although rough, it did not look to fierce on this visit. The biggest problem lies in the southern access ramp which is very steep and would cause a problem for most 4x4s. Image mouseover sent in by Alan Rawsterne (26/12/2004)





Kit Brow
SD492566 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Brown (20/01/2003)

'This unsurfaced public byway and its ford, a stone's throw across the M6 from the University of Lancaster, were once popular for car rallies but now are fast deteriorating towards "4x4 only" status. On my visit, a tree-trunk had been placed to block the ford, perhaps because of a large pile of silt on the eastern shore. Big, rough hewn stepping stones provide a precarious crossing for walkers.'





Morecambe Bay Old Coach Road
SD455675 (5*) Tidal
Sent in by John Brown

'The longest road of its kind is the old coach road across Morecambe Bay (also shown on the OS 1:50k as a BOAT - how appropriate - from 97/SD 469669 to 397756; a distance of 12.1 km). Where of course you are at considerably greater risk from the incoming tide: it comes in fast (because of the much greater distance between high and low tide marks), and you are a long way from land. The OS map has a warning "Public Rights of Way across Morecambe Bay can be Dangerous - seek local guidance"!!'

'The road can be best reached, not from the level crossing by Hest Bank station as the OS map suggests, but along the yellow road to Morecambe Lodge. Effectively the road starts at SD470674. A shale track leads to the high tide mark and thus to the sands beyond, from which all wheelmarks are obliterated at each tide. Signs warn against going on to the sands with vehicles or on foot, and the local council in fact prohibits taking vehicles there.'

Image 1 shows the view from the Kents Bank station.

'I had the extreme pleasure of following the majority of the eastern section of the crossing a couple of weeks ago:

The crossing is historically in 2 sections; 1. Ulverston to Cark (then over-land until) 2. Kent Bank to Hest Bank (longest of the 2 sections) I entered a half-marathon that actually traversed the Bay from Flookburgh to Hest Bank: (Cross Bay Run).

It was a weird sensation out there, even though we were 'waymarked' (& 'shepherded') by the local Bay-Guides (fishermen, & also TRUSTED individuals). The Kent Channel was a real challenge, over 400 yards wide & 'crotch-deep'!!!! The Keer Channel was only about 100 yards & knee-deep. I doubt I'd like to drive anything across the Bay that was my own!!' Richard Thackeray

http://www.morecambe.co.uk/walk.html
Turner Painting









Noyna
SD906417 (5*) Suitable for All
(19/09/2002)

An interesting example of where the stream bed becomes the road (see also Great Moor in Staffordshire). The sign said the ford was half a mile long, but a quick trip down the ford quickly dispels that! Noyna has a very 'Lancashire Moorland' feel to it and would probably be shrouded in hill fog in the winter months! The ford looks more like a bridleway than a road and is quite an intimidating prospect. Image 3 shows an old BMW parked in the ford (sent in by Chris Marsh 14/04/2003)





Oxcliffe Hill
SD448614 (1*) Tidal
Sent in by Jonathan Gurney (20/09/2004)

'A surfaced minor road which runs along just below the high water mark and goes under at most high tides. Oddly, it is not marked as being tidal by the OS 1:50 000. The Golden Ball pub is accessible only by this road: its car park is submerged by higher tides. The spring high tide level is marked on the car park wall at about car roof height, so if parking and going for a long walk check tides first! The pub has some interesting photos of the area in flood conditions. If driving on the road when it is submerged, take care not to run off the tarmac onto soft mud alongside.'







Sunderland Point Tidal Road
SD427563 (3*) Tidal
(29/02/2002)

Details sent in by Jonathan Gurney
'The hamlet of Sunderland is one of s few UK communities which are dependent upon tidal roads. However, it is unique as the only UK community which is on the mainland and yet has only a tidal road. There is footpath access over dry land. A school bus service (not available to the public) uses the tidal road and the children of Sunderland frequently get part of the day off school due to the tide. I doubt they mind!' I definitely wouldn't attempt this one if the road was underwater just due to the sheer length of it (over 1km). However, the estuary is well worth a visit. Nearby Overton also has some excellent pubs.

Image 1 is the view from the Overton side looking across the mudflats to the point. Image 2 is the reverse vista looking towards Overton.
'No matter which end of the road you're at, if the water has started to cover the road DO NOT attempt to cross. The tide comes in extremely quickly and forcefully, the road is serpentine and you cannot make it to safety. I spent 28 years living in Heysham and had a friend who lived at Sunderland Point so I know the area well.' Duncan Taws





Sykes Farm
SD523502 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by John Brown (20/01/2003)

'Pretty little setted ford, about 8ft across and 3in deep, with decaying depth gauge. Cyclists are advised to dismount and use the adjacent footbridge, presumably because of the risk of a wheel jamming between the setts.'





Tarnbrook
SD587555 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (24/11/2014)

'This ford is found on the Tarnbrook Wyre at Tarnbrook.'





Thursden
SD904348 (1*) Irish Bridge
(19/09/2002)

I visited Thursden shortly after Catlow Brook and struggled to find a ford either on the map or in the flesh. However, I did come across this feature which looks like it once was a ford, but is now just an Irish Bridge. Image mouseover sent in by Ian Marson (21/07/2009)





Tockholes
SD658208 (1*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Ren Withnell (11/05/2004)

'Coming from the western end from the A675 the road starts of as single lane tarmac, then deteriorates to gravel. You can comfortably reach the ford in a family car, but to cross you would need a 4by4. After the ford the road deteriorates into rocky, rough and narrow track, only passable by the brave off-roader. Approach from the A675. The crossing is a small stream running from a hillside into a larger stream. I dunno if it qualifies as a "ford" rather than a stream crossing a glorified path. According to my sources this is a byway, but I have no definitive proof.'







Wadacre
SD552442 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Dave Bamber (05/07/2004)

Description from Barry Crosby:
'The road is plenty wide enough for a car (Jeep!) to go down. At the stream itself, there are flat rocks in place for vehicles to use. The northern bank of the river is very steep, but both sides have cobbled surfaces for vehicles. During a visit there, a Country Side Authority LandRover quite easily used it, both sides are very much single track, however.

This particular section of the River Brock, mainly accessable on foot from the southern end of Snape Rake Lane, used to be very popular with dog walkers due to the woodland - but on recent visits, it appears some of the wooden built sections of pathway have fallen into disrepair, the undergrowth has taken over in places and very few people were around.'

'The ford is still drivable by any 4x4 but is quite overgrown and now has a sign, thats looks like its prohibating the use of Snape Rake Lane by cars but if you read the sign it says that vehicles are not allowed on land either side of the lane (Andrew Darbyshire 04/09/2011)







Ward Green (x2!)

SD633373 (2*) Suitable for All
SD633374 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Nick Wallis (26/04/2005)

'Since I was last there (1989) someone has blocked the through road (Mill House Lane) and downgraded the road to a bridleway. The dead end signs have been attached below the original Ford signs, which are now falling into disrepair.

The northern ford (Image 2) would have to be taken in reverse to get back out as there's nowhere to turn after tackling it. The southern ford is more accessible with space to turn round at the far end. Both fords are concrete bottomed and about 4 inches deep.'







White Coppice
SD615191 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Ren Withnell (Image 1: 11/05/2004) and Ernie Feargrieve (Image 2: 01/06/2016)

'The hamlet of White Coppice is tiny, only a cluster of houses and a village green. Along the single lane road to one side lies this ford. The ford itself is passable by a family car with some care as the concrete blocks have shifted around a little. The track the ford leads onto runs for about a mile intil it dead-ends with a couple of houses, not really worth the journey. It's a nice area and worth a look.'





White Hough
SD832403 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by John Walton (03/02/2013)

Link to geograph







Woodacre (x2!)

SD509474 (1*) Irish Bridge
SD510471 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Brown (20/01/2003)

'A pair of Irish Bridges on a wooded stretch of road. Footbridges but no signs. The more southerly one sports the broken stump of a depth gauge.'







Wycoller
SD932392 (3*) Restricted Access
(22/04/2003)

A fine cobbled bottomed village ford situated in the Wycoller country park, somewhat upstaged by the curious slab footbridge nearby (just seen in Image 2). Vehicle access is not allowed. Image 1 shows the ford and footbridge in full glory. Wycoller is a fascinating place and is well worth a visit.

Info sent by Ben Reedy
'The bridges by the Wycoller ford in Lancashire are very ancient packhorse bridges. Wycoller was an important destination for packhorse trains, which charged around the country like white vans do nowadays! They needed bridges with low parapets as they were widely-loaded.'









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