Set into a slab on the stone is a portrait of Alfred Wainwright, atop of the Yellow Hills in Blackburn Lancashire.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_e0aabbe9bc8a4170900cbea7f2a6d8dd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_e0aabbe9bc8a4170900cbea7f2a6d8dd~mv2.jpg)
Why is it here you may ask? Alfred is the famous fell walker who was best known for his handwritten and hand-drawn guides to the Lakeland fells. He described these books as a love letter to the fells. These books have given inspiration to thousands upon thousands of fellwalkers and ramblers alike. He was awarded the MBE for his efforts. To find out more about Wainwright check out the Wainwrights society website.
Alfred was born in 1907 in Blackburn. Hence why we have this memorial in the town. The idea of the memorial came from the Wainwright society. They exist to keep alive the fellwalking traditions promoted by Alfred Wainwright, wishing to bring a wider audience to fell-walking and caring for the hills.
This walk forms part of the Witton weaver's way which is a 32-mile trail that offers the chance to explore Lancashire's history. You will pass weavers cottages, Tudor halls, Victorian estates, historic villages, and even Roman Roads. This can be broken down into smaller walks. These are the Beamers, Reelers, Tacklers, and Warpers trails. For more information on these walks click here.
I have done parts of these walks before and had noticed the monument on the maps and have said that I will find it one day.
In May I was doing a charity walk for breast cancer now. Where I had to walk 100 miles throughout May. The weather wasn't the best so I did mainly local walks until we had a break in the weather. I decided that I wanted a walk with a view and decided on Tarn Hows in the Lakes which took in my first ever wainwright fell. It was at this point that I decided my final walk that marked the 100 miles would be to this monument to tie in the two. So on the 31st of May with just a mile to go, I dragged the boys off for an adventure.....
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_eb543f57f9f54975b18019c2a8c3408b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_eb543f57f9f54975b18019c2a8c3408b~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_e3db6ae6a1eb45bcae052f9e7b74cab8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_e3db6ae6a1eb45bcae052f9e7b74cab8~mv2.jpg)
The walk started at the Car park at Wittion Park, the one near Pleasington playing fields. Heading into Witton Park itself you see the vast field that the much-missed sunshine helped show off the beauty of the park.
As it was bank holiday Monday and the start of the school holidays there was a funfair as there often is on the holidays. With the music blaring and laughter and happy screaming coming from the fair, It just added to the excitement I was feeling. It had been a long hard month. Walking 100 miles whilst still working full time, having rubbish weather, and having plantar fasciitis in both feet, I was eager to get to the finish line.
Following the path for a little while, we eventually turned off into crow wood. Signed posted at few different points we turned at the gate to the farmer's field following the bridleway.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_91055ce33768470db7947287937b853e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_91055ce33768470db7947287937b853e~mv2.jpg)
Following the bridleway up through the woods. we climb the wooden steps (these can be avoided by turning right then left) and continued gradually uphill along the path at the edge of the wood. Continue straight ahead through two sets of bridle gates to reach Under Billinge Lane.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_a71094c6c4b9490881bb8d8d61c09e71~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_a71094c6c4b9490881bb8d8d61c09e71~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_18f5ba5b85934eb7ba86e2b1fb078451~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_18f5ba5b85934eb7ba86e2b1fb078451~mv2.jpg)
As you reach the last gateway have a look back and take in the view. Also, this is a good place to have a quick rest to catch your breath the hills can be a bit step in places. We carried on through the hole in the wall opposite.
The path turns right uphill through the woodland. At the first crossroads of paths turn left and there is a short steep climb uphill. Bear left at the next path junction continuing uphill. The path eventually joins a bridleway. Turn left along this to come out of the woodland.
At this point, we slightly lost our bearings as the paths are not that distinguishable but we carried on and ended up on the bridleway. Unsure which way to go we consulted google who told us to turn right.
As we followed the path it took us to the main road that runs through Pleasington, Billinge End Road. Which we stumbled across the Clog and Billing cock Pub. We thought this was a perfect stop to have rest and access which way to go next. Having never been here before, it is a gorgeous pub and we will definitely go back and have some food.
When we finished we cut across the field to the side of the pub and went through the gate. As there were people on top of the hill, we had reached our goal!
We were surrounded by farm animals. the field to the left had cows with their calves and the field were heading into had sheep with lambs. CUTENESS OVERLOAD.
We were on top of Yellow Hills, which acquired its name from the gorse flowers flourishing on the ridge. AW first visited this site in his teens where he may have got his thirst for a good view. The views were amazing and on a good day, you can see the Lakeland fells. The perfect spot for a memorial for the famous fell walker. Around the stone portraite is a bronze ‘toposcope’; a directional circle giving the distances to various landmarks near and far, including Pendle Hill and Blackpool Tower.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_d3510ecdd66846e4881cc833b219f859~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_d3510ecdd66846e4881cc833b219f859~mv2.jpg)
As I had passed the mile that I needed to complete the 100 miles, I had decided to celebrate with a small bottle of bubbly and took some time to admire the views.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_19738b9f5908426d9652c2abcf0e0de9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_19738b9f5908426d9652c2abcf0e0de9~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_9b956cbff2b04ad880874f96072b662c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_9b956cbff2b04ad880874f96072b662c~mv2.jpg)
After we had taken our fill of the view (I could have stayed for ages but it was getting late and I was getting hungry) we decided to find our way back. The group of the people who were there before us had left and walked through the field of cows. We decided to follow. Straight across until we came to a gate. This was the gate we were meant to go through before we consulted Google. But I didn't mind the slight detour. From this point we just headed back the way we came.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_e7483dd91c7145e085894dbf746199a9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_e7483dd91c7145e085894dbf746199a9~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_ece38321ef9f45e3ab99b3d2c37f7f91~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_ece38321ef9f45e3ab99b3d2c37f7f91~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_9dcce3e1292e4195ae3207dc07b1eeec~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/adc447_9dcce3e1292e4195ae3207dc07b1eeec~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/adc447_76ab39d7f4b14893b78c81378c725f4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_450,h_494,al_c,q_80,enc_auto/adc447_76ab39d7f4b14893b78c81378c725f4f~mv2.jpg)
As you can see the route we took is part of a bigger walk. The route we did too was just under 4 miles and took a couple of hours. The route is steep in places and I wouldn't have liked to tackle this if there had been recent rain as it would have made it muddy and slippy but the views were well worth it and I will be doing it again (still probably with the detour! Who wouldn't want a visit to a pub on a long walk? )
I ended up doing just under 104 miles and raising a massive £614 for Breast Cancer Now. I took on this challenge due to having a family history of the disease and being at high risk. If you would like to know more about this amazing charity click here.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read.
If you wish to read any of my previous photo walk blogs please click here.
Commentaires