A circular walk from Slaidburn to Stocks Reservoir
distance 10.76 miles : time 5 - 6 hours

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map walk Slaidburn Stocks REservoir
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A circular walk from Slaidburn around Stocks Reservoir
Start at the war memorial in the village center. Walk up the Bentham road to find the FP signpost to Croasdale. Keep to the left of a line of trees; a stone stile is found in the far right hand corner of the wood ahead. A further stone stile is found in the stone wall across the field . The path now follows a straight line, going over a series of fields and stiles. The path approaches Croasdale Brook but carries on to Shay House. On reaching the farm track turn right to the main road. At the road turn left and walk 500 yds up the road.
The FP starts on the right at a metal ladder stile. The track ends at a gate marked Private; just before this gate the path take a sharp left up the fell side. At the top end of the wood ahead, go over the stile and bear right. The path now descends towards the water; waymarkers showing the route. The path now follows the Stocks Reservoir Circular Route and is well defined all the way to the main road.
Follow the road to Kenibus and turn right at the tarmac road leading to Catlow Farm. The road crosses the Hodder at Lock Bridge and the path continues skirting to the left of Parks Clough. The path leaves the wood and goes uphill for 100 yds and then swings to the right. A stile leads to a farm track and Stocks Reservoir appears dead ahead. The track continues to New House and the gentle descent continues along a grassy track. After crossing Hasgill Beck the path bears left at about 45 degrees and leads to a gate into Gisburn Forest. The red/white waymarkers lead the way to the car park.
From the car park the blue/red waymarkers show the path to the right of the road. The path then joins the road at the Causeway but continues to the right when the road takes a sharp left hand bend. A farm track leads to Black House. At the farm turn right and follow the edge of the wood. At the end of the wood bear slightly right and follow the stone wall. The path takes a sharp left turn in the direction of Slaidburn and continues in a straight line to Hammerton Hall. Just before the farm go through the gate on the left and follow the track to Holmehead Bridge. About 100 yds after the bridge the FP diverts to the left of the track and follows the stone wall on the right. At the end of the wall carry straight on following the line of the wall. The path meets the road by the side of Croasdale Brook at a metal gate. Turn left into Slaidburn.
Hark to Bounty Inn

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Stocks Reservoir was built between 1923-32 to supply water to the Blackpool area. The site of the old village Stocks-in-Bowland now lies beneath its water. The north eastern shore of the reservoir is skirted by Gisburn Forest, this together with the area around the reservoir forms an important wild life reserve.
Slaidburn as in former days is regarded as the capital of the Forest of Bowland. The Hark to Bounty Inn formerly served as the Forest Court; a panelled room upstairs which served as the court room is still to be seen.
At 11 miles the walk is the longest in this series. As described the walk starts in Slaidburn, but an alternative start is from the parking area in Gisburn Forest with the Hark to Bounty the objective for lunch.
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