Sites and Facilities
Spring Wood
Spring Wood offers an area of informal recreation with various tracks and paths through the woods. There are also several picnic areas throughout the woods for your enjoyment. At the summit panoramic views of Longridge Fell and Waddington Fell can be seen making it well worth the climb. Situated on the main A671 road this site provides a good base for walking on Pendle Hill. Short walks are also available into the historical town of Whalley where you can visit the ancient abbey. The picnic site also offers an ideal base for walks along the River Ribble and short woodland nature trails through the mature mixed woodland which is particularly noted for its carpet of bluebells in spring.
We aim to open the Information Centre on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It will provide information and leaflets on the local area and on the Forest of Bowland in particular For details tel: 01772 534709.
Click
here to go to the Friends of Spring Wood site
Download
the Spring Wood & Access for all Trail Booklet (PDF Format, 1.42MB)
Car Parking
Situated off the A671 about ½ mile to the east of Whalley and 5
miles to the north east of the centre of Blackburn. Access to the site is from
the A671 via a metalled road with a height restriction of 2.13 m. The entrance
and exit road is controlled by traffic lights, and there are toilet facilities
in the main car park. OS Grid reference SD 742 363.
Public Transport
There are regular bus services into Whalley from Clitheroe, Burnley and
the surrounding area. Bus leaflet number 100
© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved
Lancashire County Council OS Licence No.100023320 2004.
Disabled Facilities
The car parks are all metalled and the first car park on the left has 3 designated
orange badge holder bays. These bays are 2.70m wide and are within 16m. of the
visitor centre and a Radar toilet. The route from the bays to the building is
smooth and level and the immediate surroundings of the building are paved, giving
good visual contrast. The centres door opens outwards, 77cm. wide. There are
3 purpose designed picnic tables overlooking the wooded stream within 15m. of
the parking bays. These tables can accommodate 6 people, 3 in wheelchairs and
are 73cm high. The designated bays are 50m. from the refreshment van and 80m.
from the start of the woodland trails. The trails lead into the deciduous woods
and eventually to the view point over the Ribble Valley. These trails are constructed
of crushed stone and although being steep and muddy in places are accessible,
with care, to a limited degree.
Low Mobility Trail
In December 2001 the Friends Of Spring Wood successfully applied for a grant
of over £11,000 from the Local Heritage Initiative to develop access for
the trail. The LHI is a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Countryside
Agency and the Nationwide Building Society. With the help and support of the
Lancashire Countryside Service, contractors undertook the heavy duty work and
the Friends Of Spring Wood spent several weekends finishing off the Trail and
installing picnic tables. Additional disabled parking bays and interpretation
boards have also been installed to give an educational perspective to the Trail.
The Trail was opened on the 5th October 2002 by graham Carter a member of the
Lancashire Local Access Forum.
Woodland, Plants and Birds
The woodland has probably never been cultivated, but various types of trees
have been planted over the years. Some of these trees include the massive beech
trees higher up in the woods. The woodland almost certainly looks at it's best
in spring when bluebells and wild garlic carpet the woodland floor. The plants
in the woods are easily killed by picking and especially trampling, so please
take care when walking through the woods and leave the flowers for others to
enjoy. Several streams were channeled together over the edge of this small quarry.
The surrounding stone banks have been built up to help form a pond area which
is now a habitat for various creatures including frogs and newts. Spring Wood
supports large numbers of birds throughout the year. Migrants like Willow Warblers
and Chiff Chaffs can be seen and heard in the summer. In the winter peanuts
and corn are put out on the bird tables that have been provided by visitors
to the wood. Spring Wood is also the hub of the Lancashire Cycleway where the
routes to the north and south meet, making it an ideal spot to stretch your
legs and plan your onward journey.
