Wilpshire: Walking Routes and Local History

Wilpshire offers several scales to help visitors who enjoy walking plan their trip. The public footpath network is accessible from all parts of Wilpshire and ranges from short walks to long-distance routes. A single route with a specific distance and difficulty level sits alongside a long-distance trail that passes through the area. This lets you choose between a short walk, a named individual route and a broader walking connection for your trip. The paths are therefore a clear focus when choosing Wilpshire as a destination.

Walking around Wilpshire Moor

Wilpshire Walk 1 – Across Wilpshire Moor is 3.5 miles long and rated moderate. The route starts at Wilpshire Methodist Church and climbs onto the ridge of Wilpshire Moor. Waymarkers guide you through the grounds of Carr Hall, where you cross a footbridge. Its distance and difficulty give this individual walk a specific scope, while the church, Carr Hall and the bridge provide additional points of reference along the route. Before setting out, check the route description for possible changes to the path and local access information.

The long-distance Wainwright's Way passes through the Wilpshire area around Dean Clough. This gives two distinct points of reference: Wilpshire Walk 1 starts at Wilpshire Methodist Church, while Wainwright's Way is located in the area around Dean Clough. The 3.5-mile distance and moderate rating apply to the individual walk, not to the entire footpath network. This distinction helps separate the specific details of Walk 1 from the wider choice of walks and long-distance routes.

Local history and design

Wilpshire Golf Club was founded on 20 June 1890; Blackburn Orphanage was built by 1891 on Whalley Road in Wilpshire. The larger Wilpshire Methodist Church was officially opened on 16 April 1903. The golf club's current course was designed by James Braid, who made use of the natural features of Wilpshire Moor in its design. The moor's name thus appears in two different contexts: Wilpshire Walk 1 climbs onto the ridge, and the moor's natural features were taken into account when the course was designed. The church is both the starting point for Wilpshire Walk 1 and a historically dated landmark that also helps walkers find their way on this route.

Getting there by train

Ramsgreave & Wilpshire station is the specific point of reference for travelling by train. It has an hourly service every day, as well as additional services at peak times on weekdays. The Yorkshire Dales Explorer stops at the station twice every Saturday throughout the year. The additional weekday services and the Explorer's Saturday stops are separate points to consider when planning your journey. Check the current timetable for your travel date before setting off, as service details may change.

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For the main travel overview: Lancashire.