Beacon Country Park
Beacon Country Park is situated near the village of Upholland, in West Lancashire. The park, a winner of the coveted Green Flag Award, covers three hundred acres of open countryside and consists of rolling wild flower meadows, woodland, nature trails, bridle paths and offers superb views of the Lancashire coastal plains to the west, and the Pennine hills to the east. At various other locations around the park there are views of the Welsh mountains and Snowdon is visible on very clear days.
The park has a range of amenities including picnic areas, an orienteering course, nature trail, and bridle path. There is also a recently developed play area for the children. Close by is the Beacon Park Golf Course, driving range, and visitor centre with refreshments and bar. Beacon Country Park is the base for the borough's Countryside Ranger Service. The Ranger Service often run events and activities and can provide added information from their visitor services cabin alongside the visitor centre.
The local landscape is dominated by Ashurst Hill, which rises to 570 feet (170 m) and is crowned by Ashurst's Beacon. The beacon once formed part of a relay of beacons stretching from Everton Brow above Liverpool to Lancaster Castle, which was in place, though not used, at the time of the Spanish Armada. The present structure, a Grade II listed building, dates from 1798 and was erected by local landowner Sir William Ashurst, who decided that a more permanent beacon was needed for the oncoming Napoleonic Wars.
The car park may be accessed from either Mill Lane or the Beacon Lane via Elmers Green Lane.