Cycling

Churches and Monuments

– Heritage Route –

West Lancashire has some wonderful churches and monuments which are often the oldest buildings in the area. Steeped in history the sites on this tour offer lots of interesting facts to discover with the oldest, St. Michael’s Church in Aughton dating back to around 850AD.

Many of the churches on this route are looked after by their local communities and more details can be found on their websites where available.

This Churches and Monuments cycle route is approximately 35 miles long and offers an insight into these wonderful churches, their grounds and their history. You can join the route at various access points including Ormskirk, Aughton Park, Town Green and Burscough Bridge railway stations.

Pier to Pier

One of our longer routes, the Pier to Pier can start at either Southport or Wigan depending on your preference and passes through Burscough which is about midway.

Burscough is a thriving community located by the Leeds to Liverpool canal and situated half way between Liverpool and Preston. As well as being home to Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Burscough Wharf and much more, its a great place to cycle with some of the best places to eat and drink.

The Pier to Pier route forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) and has been given the route number NCN562 by Sustrans.

Lapwing

The Lapwing cycle route takes you through a wildlife rich area in the heart of agricultural West Lancashire. Also starting at Burscough Wharf, the route goes north passing through the home of lapwings, dragonflies and butterflies at the WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre. You will also pass Windmill Animal Farm and Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve.

• Moderate.
• Length : 9.5m / 15.3km
• Mostly on quiet roads.
• Time 75 – 95mins

Moorhen

The Moorhen cycle route is a circular route beginning at Burscough Wharf which then takes in sections of the historic Leeds and Liverpool canal and quiet country lanes.  The short route makes it ideal for families.

• Easy / Moderate.
• Length : 5m / 8km
• Mostly on road.
• Time 40 – 50mins

A Circuit from Ormskirk

There are no major climbs on this circuit, though Clieves Hills can feel surprisingly testing. However, there are plenty of undulations and twists and turns to keep up the variety and a couple of places where the views are remarkably extensive.

Length approx: 21 m / 33.8 km

Attractions by Bike

Several of the area’s most important visitor attractions can be visited on a short ride from Burscough, including the rich nature reserves at Martin Mere and Mere Sands Wood as well as Rufford Old Hall, a magnificent sixteenth-century house where a young William Shakespeare is believed to have performed; it’s now in the care of the National Trust.

Length approx : 9m / 14.4km

Appley Bridge Circuit

A diverse circuit, where you can view the rolling hills and valleys in the east of the borough, as well as the flatlands in the west. If it isn’t hilly enough, Ashurst Beacon in Upholland can be added to your agenda!

Length approx: 17 m / 27.4 km

Grand Tour of West Lancs Route

This tour, based on the route of the Lancashire Cycleway, takes in most of West Lancs; from the hills in the east to the levels in the west. It passes the stations at Croston, Appley Bridge, Town Green and New Lane, so can be started at whichever is most convenient and is described in corresponding sections.

Length approx : 40.7m / 65.5km