Keep safe!

Keep safe!
You are responsible for your own safety and that of your dog. The walks listed in this blog are not detailed guides. Plan your route! Click the landrover image for safety advice from Bowland Pennine MRT.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Witton Country Park

Having braced ourselves for a weekend of rain and gale force winds it was a pleasant surprise to be able to take a trip out in the sunshine this morning.

Witton Country Park, near Blackburn, has been on our list of places to visit for ages. Last time we tried to visit we found hundreds of runners congregating for an event, so retreated to one of or usual walks at Roddlesworth. Today though, there was plenty of space on the car park and with no a cloud in the sky we set off to explore.

The Park has a good mix of open grassland, fields and woodland but close to the visitor centre has a rather urban feel, with an athletics track and sports pitches dominating the environment. A network of footpaths, bridleways and tramper trails, with some looked as if they'd be more suited to a 4x4 rather than a tramper, cross the estate so there's something for everyone.

Our visit took us up through Witton and Crow Woods before walking through fields beside the river Darwen. Between the woods the dog spent a good half hour or so chasing his ball on the huge field adjacent to the car park. Almost everywhere we walked was suitable for off-lead walking but watch for the road leading to the visitors centre and cyclists on the bridleways. There were plenty of other dogs and dog walkers around so it's clearly a popular spot.

There are plenty of longer walks starting at Witton County Park, forming part of the Witton Weavers Way. Next time we visit we'll make time for the walk up to Billinge Hill. See the Blackburn with Darwen Council website for more information.

Doggy rating 6/10

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