A scorching Sunday and niece Lily's second birthday gave us all a great excuse for a picnic at Dunsop Bridge, a beauty spot where the rivers Hodder and Dunsop join (Dunsop Bridge also claims to be the geographic centre of Britain).
The main attractions in Dunsop Bridge are the duck-filled village green, which runs alongside the river, a well-stocked and kept children's playground (with a mini skate-park, just a single ramp and rail), and as a starting point from which walkers and mountain bikers can access a variety of local trails.
The playground |
Den making: L-R Megan, Lily, Alex, Rosie |
Free parking is available along the village green, in a dedicated car park with basic public toilets (the plumbing in the gents sprinkled my sandals, making me doubt my aim for a moment), and beside the road to the play area.
Puddleducks |
Refreshments are available from Puddleducks, the village post office and cafe, which serves the delicious local Dowson's ice cream. They also sell bags of duck food, so you can join the throngs in spoiling some of the best-fed ducks in Lancashire.
A fat duck |
After picnicking in the playground, where the kids had a good play and I dismayed all present with a juvenile demonstration of monkey-bar, biking and scooter skills, we made our way down to the green and the river. Here the kids fed the ducks and tried to skim stones on the river, which was shallow, sedate and clean enough for paddling.
Stone-throwing: L-R Holly, Christopher, Robert |
Christopher in the river |
We had a great day out at Dunsop Bridge, and if you enjoy your pleasures simple in an unspoiled piece of the English countryside you'll love it too.
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