Parbold Hill
OS grid reference:- SD 491 106
Parbold Hill, situated near the village of Parbold in the Douglas Valley rises to 427 feet. There are excellent views from the summit, the West Lancashire Coastal Plain can be seen spread out below and there are attractive views across the Douglas Valley. Ashurst's Beacon, erected during the Napoleonic Wars, is visible on on the hillside opposite, and, from the adjacent road, Blackpool Tower can be seen to the northwest.
The famous Parbold Bottle, now restored, is a stone monument about 6 and a half feet in height and is so called because its curious shape vaguely resembles a giant bottle. Made of local gritstone, the monument was built in 1832 to commemorate the Reform Act.
The Miller and Carter Steakhouse, formerly the Wiggin Tree Inn stands at the summit of the hill.
A walk to Parbold Hill and through Fairy Glen
Distance- Around 4 miles
*Commencing at the lay-by on the A5209 (OS Grid ref- SD517109) situated almost across from Fairy Glen, cross a stile at the end of the lay by and head up the field.
*Turn left along the top of the field to enter the woods. Continue along the track, cross a small footbridge, then alongside a small stream and continue until the conifer plantation bends away, then turn right, and ascend the hill.
*On arriving at a tarmac track turn left, then left again down another track to arrive at a small clough. Continue along the track through the woodland to join A5209. Turn left and walk for around 100 yards then cross a stile located on the other side of the road.
*Continue down the field to reach a stile in the right hand corner. Follow the lane just to the right, pass the railway and the canal. Cross the bridge and continue in an easterly direction along the canal towpath for about half a a mile.
*Cross bridge bridge 40 and walk up the lane. Turn right in front of 2 houses and continue across fields in a straight line to enter Fairy Glen. The track goes through the glen, past a series of waterfalls, then joins to the A5209. Cross and turn right to return to the lay-by.