Torrisholme Barrow Stroll - Walks with Stories
Torrisholme Barrow StrollWalk reproduced by kind permission of Lancaster City Museum. Discover more inspiring 'Walks with Stories' on their Facebook page.
Distance: 1 mile (30-45 minute walk)
Accessibility: A gently climbing walk that uses footpaths, road and open fields. There are frequently livestock on the Barrow, please keep dogs on a close lead.
*At this time, please only do these walks if National Restrictions allow and they are your local area too*
1. Starting from Slyne Road
take the historic 'Barrow Lane' footpath between the back gardens of the houses until it crosses Hexham Road. Soon after it continues alongside the Barrow where height is quickly gained. Do not take the first stile on the right (with cow and bull sign!) but continue on until you reach the small area of woodland known as Low Lane Woods. Here in the woods are the remains of Morecambe's sanitorium.
2. At this stage, take the stile over into the field
a wonderful 360 degree panorama opens up; for such a small hill (41m high), you'll see the Lake District, Ingleborough, Clougha, Heysham Power Station, Ashton Memorial and the Bay Gateway amongst other sights. Make your way to the highest part of the hill where you'll find the trig point.
3. The hill is actually a drumlin
a mound of clay and gravels dropped by a melting glacier at the end of the last ice age c.10000 years ago, there are many others in the area. The barrow itself, at the peak of the hill is a Neolithic or Bronze age bowl barrow, believed to have been for burial. It has also been put forward that early invaders to this area used the top of the barrow as a 'moot' or meeting place to decide their laws and impose order.
4. From the trig point, head left going downhill
leave the barrow onto Slyne Road and follow the road back to where you began.
