For a good, solid day's walk full of exciting challenges and rewards, this adventurous trek will work wonders. The exact geographical centre of the British Isles is marked by Dunsop Bridge's humble BT phone box, with its special number and decorated doors.

Making your way over grassy fields, you'll visit delightfully rustic and remote old farm buildings, such as Back of Hill Barn and Rough Syke Barn, with only the sounds of grazing farm animals breaking the peace.

Find your way over the little stone steps of the hand-built walls lining the fields, before reaching Dunsop Fell. As you ascend, appreciate the scenery unfolding behind you. There are spectacular panoramic views north and east, to Stocks Reservoir and Gisburn Forest in the distance. This, as any regular walker knows, is what makes the climbing worthwhile.

On Dunsop Fell's moorlands, you're on high ground. The path is well marked, but take a compass and Explorer map if you're unsure of the area and give the walk proper consideration if there's a threat of poor weather.

As you descend, you'll see Whitendale Farm nestling in the base of the valley beside Dunsop River. Follow the river downstream and escape for a few moments in a tranquil hillside gorge, with only the sounds of birds and the water rushing beneath you.

Later, you'll come to the water pipeline from the Lake District to Manchester, and several Water Board buildings, before unwinding in the homely village tea shop.

The Route

Distance: 12 miles
Time needed: 4-5 hours

Turn right out of the car park, passing the phone box and going over a humped bridge. Take the second road on the right (just after the sharp right-hand bend).

Follow this past a farm and down to the river, crossing the wooden bridge. Climb the wooden steps up the rise on your left.

Walk straight over the field to Beatrix Farm, turning left along the track just before you get there, and through a gate past a second farmhouse on your right.

Follow the track to its end, by Back of Hill Barn. Looking Northeast, you should see Rough Syke Barn on the distant hillside.

Follow the footpath through a gate, across a field and over a stream, then up the hill to the barn.

The path forks in two similar directions - follow the left-hand path, slightly harder to make out.

At the stone wall, find the built-in steps and cross over. Pass the ruins to your left, cross another wall, another field, and climb wooden steps, passing Brunghill Moor Farm on your left. Take the track away to the road and turn left.

Follow the road until you reach a bridlepath on the left going to Burn Side. Follow the driveway and pass to the right of Burn Side. Walk through a field and a small gate and begin ascent to Dunsop Head .

Follow the path over the top, through a small gate, down to Whitendale Farm. At the farm's first walls, turn left to the path that follows the river south. Past a couple of gates and bridges, it crosses the river.

Turn left and follow it to the bridge you crossed near the start. Cross over and pass the steps . Pass a farm to your left, and follow the track back to the village.

Lancashire middle earth walk map