Walking is a great way to get healthy….and summer is the perfect time to explore the borough’s glorious countryside using our extensive network of public footpaths.
To mark the publication of leaflet 5 in our popular series of walking leaflets, we are reproducing in full one of the routes for you to try – three and a half miles from Three Sisters in Ashton to Bamfurlong.
The full series includes:
1. Worthington and Haigh
2. Aspull and Hindley
3. Pennington Flash and Bickershaw
4. Astley Green and Bedford Moss
5. Ashton and Bamfurlong
They are all available by ringing 01942 404377, emailing Rights of Way or can be downloaded from the council’s website at Public Rights of Way Leaflets
This walk and all the others in the series are a great way to reduce the risk of ailments and illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stress.
Remember, on most borough routes you can take a pram, pushchair or wheelchair but expect to encounter stiles on footpaths.
Dogs should be kept under close control, preferably on a lead. If you come up against an illegal obstruction, you can make a small deviation from the path, but only if you are certain that your route is safe and available.
If in doubt try to find an alternative right of way and report the obstruction to the council.
The council’s rights of way officer Liz Parry said: “As you walk around our countryside we would be delighted to hear from you about your experiences enjoying one of the borough’s greatest assets.”
- Wigan Council has direct responsibility for the borough’s 300 miles of public rights of way. If you know of a problem with a footpath or bridleway, you can report it by phone on 01942 404377 or email: Rights of Way
Walk takes in historic hall
This walk starts from the car park at Three Sisters Recreation Area, Bryn. An alternative starting point is the car park at Viridor Wood on Lily Lane.
At Three Sisters Car Park, walk down to the Visitors’ Centre at the edge of the lake. Turn left and follow the footpath along the water’s edge, then through the woods until you reach a T-junction with another footpath.
At the footpath junction turn left. Walk straight ahead, taking note of the sign for the wildlife pond signposted on the left, and further down the footpath, the chance to explore Viridor Wood. Carry on straight ahead for 920m until you arrive at Bryn Hall Cottages and Bryn Hall.
Turn left at Bryn Hall Cottages and follow the track for a further 192m. You should be able to see Bryn Hall on your right, so take a moment to enjoy this historic building.
Once the home of Lord Gerard, Charles II stayed here on his way to defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Follow the track across the bridge and turn right towards Park Brook Farm.
Go through the gate/stile at the right hand side of the farm buildings and follow the farm track for 360m until you arrive at the boating lake.
Turn right over a stile into the field and follow the track and then a field edge path for 1,460m, passing a pond on your left, eventually leading to Winstanley Road.
Follow Winstanley Road and turn right onto Lily Lane.
Follow the straight road for 435m until you arrive at the bend and junction with Bryn Gates Lane.
At this point you can take a short cut back to Three Sisters following the road past Bamfurlong Police Station on your left.
If not, continue along Lily Lane for 330m, passing the Bryn Hall public house on your left.
Continue to the bus stop where the pavement ends.
Cross Bolton Road and follow the pavement for 440m to cross Bolton Road again at Lily Lane farm.
Just past the farm you will see a public footpath sign.
Follow this sign for 920m passing through several fields and stiles where you will eventually return back to Three Sisters.
Once back at Three Sisters follow the path straight ahead, past the Bird Feeding Station area.
This will also lead you back to the car park.
Did you know...?
The site of Three Sisters Recreation Area was previously the Garswood Hall Colliery which closed in 1958.
The legacy of the colliery included three huge slag heaps, known locally as the Three Sisters.
In the late 60s the Greater Manchester and Lancashire Joint Reclamation Team began developing the area for recreation, levelling the spoil heaps and planting thousands of trees, with the intention of providing facilities for a wide range of leisure pursuits.
Useful contacts
Friends of 3 Sisters (external link)
Ranger Service: 01942 720453
