Hilldale Quarry Lancashire?

Anyone been to Hilldale Quarry recently? Used to be good for a tear around on the old bike. Been out of Lancashire for a while and looking to retrace my old stomping grounds!

I take it you mean Hilldale Quarry near Parbold?

Yep do you know anything about it? There used to be some good drop offs and bomb holes which were good.

Hilldale Quarry was sold off a few years ago. The top half (above the lake) was turned in to a small park by the council. There are “no bike” signs everywhere and to be honest it wouldn’t be worth going, it’s a tiny park, all the best bits are in the lower bit which has been sold off to some mega rich dude to build a mansion.

Thanks for the info. That’s a real shame. It was a good place. So what’s this about a mansion? Thought it’d be green belt round there or something?

Yeah I thought that too. The lower half of the quarry which included the lake was sold off for millions a few years ago.

Now the whole area is fenced off, there are CCTV camera’s mounted on huge poles, razor wire and huge “Private keep out” signs everywhere. It’s bloody grim, like something out of George Orwell 1984! The word is some mega rich guy who owns a scrap yard, Hills Motors I think is building some huge pile in this estate. There’s even some “security lodge” on the entrance to the quarry. The filthy rich obviously want to flush us “oiks” out!

Bloody grim I tell thee! I’d avoid this area if I was you. Any other areas you like to retrace let me know.

Sounds grim. What a shame. Don’t know how they get away with it. Guess if you have lots of money you can build pretty much whatever you like where you like. Ah well. Adios Hilldale Quarry, had some good times there.

Other areas? Yeah, used to do a route up Longridge area. Dunno it it was strictly “legal” as a bit of it went through the fire roads of Longridge Forest. Never was sure if it was OK to cycle through the forest but I figured other people on bikes used it a lot so why shouldn’t I?

Not sure about Longridge. Been up to Gisburn which I recommend if you’ve not been up that way for a while. Lots of new tracks etc… more interesting than just the slogs along fire roads.

Hmm. I was going to do a cheeky ride thru Hilldale Quarry some time (live nearby). Don’t think I’ll bother now!

We ride Longridge fell all the time. The fire roads and bridleways are legit but there’s loads of cheeky up there too. 😆

Problem is that it’s very wet and boggy plus they have done a LOT of forresting up there so much has been chopped up and is now a lot more exposed than before.

I’m still heading up for a ride today though!