Drive & Stroll, with RON FREETHY

NEXT week I am setting off on the first of a series of weekly strolls around the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Each will be based around parking areas and I will point out the closest access points to public transport.

This week, however, I discovered one of Lancashire's best-kept secrets -- the hamlet of Harrop Fold. Unless you just like walking for the sake of it you should, like me, choose a fine day with plenty of shadows to highlight the scenery.

My first stop was at Harrop Chapel, which is the oldest building in the Clitheroe circuit used for public worship.

The date of construction was 1819. At this time the Church of England did not take kindly to those who failed to conform to their regimented service and prayer book.

The so-called Nonconformists therefore chose remote areas to set up their chapels.

I continued from the chapel to the hamlet itself, a glorious 17th century mix of farms, cottages and a magnificent mullioned masterpiece of a manor house.

From the gates of this house I followed footpaths which led out into fields which literally follow up hill and down dale.

Autumn migration was in full swing with swallows gathering on the telephone wires and fences while a few wheatears were still making ready to migrate with their white rumps flashing in the sunlight. This is a bracing walk in the autumn but it is not a place to be out in the open during a winter gale.

In the hamlet one of the cottages which offers a base for holidaymakers is called Seatre.

This suggests that the area has been settled perhaps as early as the eighth century when small farms were occupied by grazing cattle during the summer. These were called Seatres. Summerseat is also a stop on the East Lancashire Railway.

The buildings of Harrop Fold are well maintained and contain a well balanced mixture of white painted dwellings and dressed stone houses, many garlanded by colourful flowers.

My day was completed by the sighting of more than 100 red admiral butterflies, along with lots of peacock butterflies sharing a bed of thistles with seven goldfinches.

Here again I found the perfect balance between history, natural history along with local architecture at its very best.

I am sure that I will find a similar balance as I discover some walks around the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

YOU need courage to find this delightful spot but it is well worth the effort. From the A59 bypass find the road to Chatburn and then Grindleton. In the village turn left along the road signed to Slaidburn. Continue until you see Harrop Fold. Turn left and reach Harrop Chapel. Enjoy this but if you think that this is all then think again. Continue along the narrow road to the hamlet of Harrop Fold. From there a network of footpaths lead out into beautiful countryside.