This afternoon we donned our waterproofs and walking boots, packed a lunch and flask of coffee and headed to the centre of the UK !
The pretty village of Dunsop Bridge in the Trough Of Bowland is the nearest village to National Grid reference SD63770 56550 Hanging Stones. Apparently this area has been determined to be the exact centre of the country.
From the village car park ( £1.40 charge for four hours) we walked past the green and took the tarmacked track to the left of Puddleducks Tea Rooms and Post Office. From here we followed the lane through a couple of farm cottages and up through the valley as far as the water pumping station and back.
Hugo really enjoyed dipping in and out of the brook and chasing sticks. 🙂
Meanwhile the weather was a mixture of sunshine and hale stones, plus it was blowing a bit of a hooley.
I think the weather conditions frightened off most of the wildlife. I saw a few ducks and the odd pheasant. Lots of purple catkins on the alder trees gave the countryside a lilac hue.
I think the scenery in the Trough is every bit as beautiful as in the Yorkshire Dales or the Lake District.
We didn’t venture further than this water tower but I’m sure we will return one day soon and follow the lane up into the fells.
We turned back and headed for Dunsop Bridge. This walk covered five miles in total.
It was lovely to see bunches of wild snowdrops growing by the stream and dotted round the village. Hopefully Spring is on its way..
Have you been out and about this weekend?
sunshine and celandines 
Lovely scenery! Great to see some signs of spring😀
It really is. I especially love snowdrops. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more – the TofB is a beautiful, unspoiled part of our neck of the woods. People bypass it on their way to the Lakes and Dales. Are we bovvered? Nah! Such a great walk along the River Dunsop – whatever the weather. No dippers?
Hi no dippers today unfortunately. But was still a very rewarding walk because of the stunning surroundings. 🙂
Looks so pretty x
Its a lovely part of the world. 🙂
I haven’t seen any snow drops yet. They look so beautiful in that lovely spot.
They are definitely my favourite Spring flower. X
What a lovely walk, and nearly as beautiful as Yorkshire! I had a super walk yesterday, bit blowy but sunny AND on my way home I was driving slowly on account of pheasants on the road and a bit barn owl flew alongside me. Wow. It made my day.
Oh wow I love Barn Owls. My sister is lucky enough to see them everyday where she lives. I am very envious of your Barn Owl encounter. Xx
It has been a while since we walked that track – the boys were little and learning to ride their bikes – so a quiet lane with a river for the dog was perfect. Might be time to revisit that area again 🙂 Are you doing #walk1000miles again this year?
Hi it’s a very pram and bike friendly route.
Yes I am. I’m enjoying it!
Hope you are too.x
Beautiful pics despite the weather. It was pretty grim for us on Friday and I think you got it Saturday. Lovely to see Hugo enjoying his walk despite the weather – always put a smile on my face seeing Hugo xx
Thanks. Hugo is now flat out with his paws in the air! Xx
🙂 xx
What a pretty walk. That cat looks a bit mean though!
Who needs a guard dog when you have a guard cat. 😉
Indeed! 😀
Nice signs of Spring there ! I went for a walk today and there was still snow and ice. Pretty, but frigid here still in New England !
Ooooh sounds freezing. Hope you have a nice wood burner to keep warm. X
Wow. Snowdrops. It will be a couple more months before we get blossoms of any kind. Looks like such a pretty walk!!
It was lovely, thank you .xx
Fab rugged walk. I agree; it has the charm of the Dales. Lovely to see the snowdrops. You have inspired me to go for a walk to Leeds Castle and blow the cobwebs out.
Looking forward to your post! X
Sounds like a lovely walk & I keep adding more to our lists. Did some walking ourselves today (just locally), as we need to make sure we are up to scratch for all the walking we hope to do whilst on holiday. The area does look nearly as good as Yorkshire or The Lakes or could I say, most places around the British Isles. The snowdrops are gorgeous. Have a great week & take care.
Hope it’s cooling down a little for your walks Susan. Yes Lancashire is as beautiful, though sadly overlooked in my opinion. X
This looks like a lovely walk with lots of interest. Love the cat on the fence and Hugo enjoying himself along the walk and in the water. Did Hugo and the cat spot each other?:)
I think the cat spotted Hugo but not the other way round. Phew. 😉 X
Those lilac catkins are so cute – I love it when Spring starts springing 🙂 x
I have never noticed them before. Glad Spring is making a brief appearance. X
I’ve not been up to Dunsopp Bridge for yonks. I’ve walked out up onto the hills from there a few times and, like other parts of Bowland, it’s so quiet once you stray a relatively short distance from the car. Usually you hardly see another sole. Mind you, it’s usually a quagmire up on the peary moors, especially this time of the year.
Yes it’s definitely a relatively peaceful area. Will have to wander further next time. That’s my plan!
Watch out you don’t get swallowed up in the boggy peat 😉
That could happen!
Nearly happened to me before now!
I didn’t know the centre of uk was there. I have been once to the forest of bowland. I should visit it again it is a lovely place.
Yes apparently so. A claim to fame! X
You take the most gorgeous photographs! I particularly love the one with the mischievous looking cat eyeing you down! x
Haha love the cat too. Thanks Charlotte! Xx
It sure is a beautiful area to walk 🙂
It is, thanks Louise. X
Lovely walk and photos. Always good to get out and about at the weekend. We took Riley to Formby on Sunday and has a cold, blustery walk. It was fun 🙂 x
Il have to get out and about at weekend s whilst I still can. Where I work is going to part time wknd hours from May, which is not good! Beach walks are the best.Glad Riley is having fun. X
A tiny bit more colour in the sky would have been good, but you take what you can get. It’s a lovely part of the world. 🙂 🙂
It was a mixed weather day. I thought I would see a 🌈 rainbow, but not to be. X
Thank you for sharing this; I’d never really thought about where the exact centre of the UK lies, so was surprised that it’s so far north, but what a beautiful spot! It looks quite wild from your photographs and unspoilt from your photographs, but also quite well set-up for visitors. Does it get busy in warmer seasons?
I was surprised too when I found out. The trough of Bowland itself can get quite busy, but there are so many areas off it that are quite remote so there’s plenty of space. I bet if you went on a week day you would have it all to yourself. X