North Woodland Circuit at Lancaster University - Walks with Stories

North Woodland Circuit at Lancaster University - This walk covers part of the university's popular woodland walk circular that goes around the campus. It's a short and very pleasantly varied walk and passes by historic Bailrigg House, Bigforth farm and Lake Carter.
Walk reproduced by kind permission of Lancaster City Museum. Discover more inspiring 'Walks with Stories' on their Facebook page.
Distance: 1.5 miles (1hr hour walk)
Accessibility: On good footpaths, sports field and hard roads, a gentle climb. Please note Lancaster University does not allow dog walking on its grounds.
*At this time, please only do these walks if National Restrictions allow and they are your local area too*

1. Starting from the north west corner of the campus by the A6
enter the woodland path through a small gate, turn right and follow the long footpath parallel to the a6 and sports pitch, walking alongside the drainage channel from the Ou beck. When you get to the main drive into the university (Bigforth Drive) head left, going up hill past the sports centre.
2. You'll soon see the duck pond (formally known as Lake Carter after the university's first vice-chancellor, Charles Carter) and the old buildings of Bigforth Farm.
The farm and the land on which is sits is a very historic site, with a history spanning centuries, it began being slowly converted to its current form over 200 years ago through a process of land management and drainage before becoming a sporting and shooting estate, then parkland before finally becoming the grounds for the university. Look out for coot, moorhen along with other visiting waterfowl.
3. Take the uphill footpath that leads directly uphill
avoiding the road, passing by an unusual sculpture outside the chaplaincy centre. The chaplaincy was dedicated as a multi-faith building in 1969. Follow the main campus road (North Drive) around the the left, passing County College until you reach the single storey Ecology & Hydrology block, there is a discrete footpath connecting to the woodland walk alongside, take this path.
4. Now on the main woodland path again
make a left and head back downhill through the narrow woodland strip with rhododendron and holly bushes either side. Shortly after crossing the road to Bailrigg House, bear right and the woods quickly reveal Bailrigg House. Walk right in front of the house, built in the Arts & Crafts style in 1899-1902 for Herbert Lushington Storey (son of manufacturer and philanthropist Sir Thomas Storey). Herbert continued much of his father's works in developing the Storey Institute and Westfield Memorial Village; the latter was also designed by well known landscape architect Thomas Mawson who also worked with Storey in landscaping Bailrigg House. When Herbert Storey became Sheriff of Lancaster in 1904, 11,000 people gathered at Bailrigg House and formed a two mile procession into Lancaster for the ceremony!
5. Head downhill now, around the edges of the rugby pitches
When you reach the rear of the new health campus, make a left and head slightly uphill. You will then walk in a further narrow woodland strip along the campus boundary, walking alongside the Ou Beck as you make your way back to the start.
For further info and the full university woodland walk, see here.