Afternoon Bike Ride


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Afternoon Bike Ride

14th June 2026

Overview

Ascent:	445 Feet - 135 Metres
Wainwrights:	N/A
Weather:	Dry Warm & Sunny Highs of 17°C Lows of 17°C
Parking:	N/A
Area:	Wigan
Miles:	11.4
Walking With:	On My Own
Ordnance Survey:	Explorer 287
Time Taken:	1 Hours 30 Minutes
Route:	Leeds & Liverpool Canal - Britania Bridge - Kirkless Hall Inn - Top Lock - Haigh Hall - School Lane - Pendlebury Lane - Haigh Hall - Top Lock - Kirkless Hall Inn - Britania Bridge - Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Map and Photo Gallery

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal (Leigh Branch) Wigan.

It wasn't the strongest forecast for the Lakeland fells, with cloud and wind dominating the weekend at least until later on Sunday when high pressure finally took over. But by then it was too late for me to take advantage, so I decided to have a break from the fells this weekend. I pottered about yesterday, mowing the lawns and doing a bit of general tidying in the garden in what can only be described as spring weather. With a cool wind and temperatures not even breaking into double figures, it really makes you wonder what's happening to our summer. Me and the dogs had been out this morning along this very same stretch of canal path, but it was much cooler and cloudier then. I knew by mid-afternoon the sun would come out and bring some welcome warmth, so I decided to head out on the bike the first ride of the year.

I've been storing the bike in a specially made shed I built last year, and come spring I was looking forward to seeing the old girl again. She looked exactly the same as when I'd put her away for winter, except parts of the chain had rusted, which puzzled me because I always keep on top of bike maintenance. The chain had rusted in the worst possible place, the derailleurs, and I had a job getting it free. After soaking it in oil, some of the linkages were still stuck and it looked like I might have to replace the chain, and what a faff that would be. Instead, I took two pairs of long-nose pliers and painstakingly freed each link while lubing it at the same time. After a couple of hours and a test run, I'd fixed it. That was a couple of weeks ago, and today I'd give her a proper ride out.

Looking up the Wigan Flight towards lock 72.

I remembered those lock gates being replaced what I thought was a couple of years ago but it was actualy June 2022!

Top Lock, Wigan Flight.

It's a gentle slog on the bike to reach Top Lock, covering just 200 feet of ascent over 2.5 miles - not much on a mountain bike, but spare a thought for the narrowboats that have to pass through all 21 locks. Most boaters share the task, letting others know whether they're heading up or down the flight on social media. It took me about 30 minutes, just taking my time on the bike; for a narrowboat, the same journey can take anywhere between three and five hours.

Top Lock.

Continuing along the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Towards New Springs and Haigh Plantations thereafter.

Looking back on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Haigh Plantations.

The towpath was busy this afternoon with dog walkers and fisherman so many opportunities to take photos, except this one that is.

Haigh Plantations.

I left the towpath at Haigh Park Bridge, a bridge so popular it's to Wigan what Big Ben is to London. There's a steep bank you have to ride up, which meant plenty of speed and a quick shift into low gear to reach the top. All was going well as I sped along, the bank coming into view, when seconds later I spotted two kids who had left their bikes right across the path in front of me. I had to slam on the brakes and push my bike up instead, to the sound of one of the kids proudly telling me, "My dad can get up that easy on his bike!" "And so would I," I laughed back, "if you hadn't been stood there!"

Approaching Haigh Hall.

With work continuing on the hall as part of 50 million restoration project which is ecpected to be completed by 2028.

Haigh Golf Course.

Give me a field full of mud anyday.

The Haigh Windmill.

Constructed in 1840, the Haigh Windmill (Grade 2 listed) is an unmistakeable landmark of the Haigh Hall estate.

Views towards a distant Winter Hill.

Taken during a quick stop to take on some fluids.

2021 Trek Roscoe.

With a personal touch.

Farmers fields from Pendlebury Lane.

My dad and his brothers were brought up in neighbouring Swinley just a couple of miles away, but he would always tell me how he spent his summer holidays playing around here, always mentioning Pendlebury Lane. Five years after his passing, I've always felt a close connection to the area.

Back on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at bridge 62

What a scenic area this is.

Rare mug shot!

Imagine having this at the end of your garden.

Views towards Haigh Park bridge from from Basin Quay.

I continued along the towpath which was much less quieter and I was able to enjoy the views passing just one jogger until I reached the Basin Quay stone bridge back at Haigh which is a Grade II listed bridge built in the 1780s which carries the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath over the inlet to a historic, disused canal basin.

I've rode this same route for years and no matter what time of day or year it is I've never had the place to myself until today. I stopped to take in the views thinking about the history surrounding the area until I put foot back on pedal, dropped it down a gear and began the five mile ride back home ready for a shower and something to eat.