Yarrow Valley Country Park, near Chorley, Lancashire

Yarrow Valley Weir

Waterside landscape

Place photograph

5.8

Wildland

1–2 hours for the weir as part of a walk

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

RiversideWoodlandParklandWalkersPhotographersWildlife loversFamilies

Why it's Wildland

5.8

A small weir on the River Yarrow, set within a 700-acre country park of woodland, meadows and water. It is also a stop on a circular park walk that passes the river and a fish pass.

The weir is a modest feature rather than a destination that needs a long journey on its own. Its appeal is how easily it fits into a substantial riverside-and-woodland walk through Yarrow Valley, with the sound of falling water as a natural pause along the way.

Peaceful · Seasonal

Find your way

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Yarrow Valley Country Park, near Chorley, Lancashire

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The experience

Make the weir one highlight of a Yarrow Valley walk. The supplied circular route covers 4.7 miles, takes an estimated 1.5–2 hours, and includes woodland trails, the River Yarrow, the falls and a fish pass. Expect some wet or muddy sections and take care where the route uses roads.

Things to do

See Yarrow Weir

Make the weir a pause on a walk through the park. The supplied circular-route description includes the falls as a route highlight.

Walk the Yarrow Valley circular

A reported 4.7-mile loop through woodland and along the River Yarrow, passing Big Lodge, the weir and a fish pass. The route description notes muddy trails and some road sections.

1.5–2 hours, as estimated by the route source

Look for the fish pass

The circular-route description notes a fish pass on the route near the water. Its account says it was built in 2003 to address an obstruction to fish movement.

Finish at the Birkacre visitor centre

Chorley Council lists an information centre and Treeface café at the Birkacre car park. Check opening details before relying on them.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Check locally; no verified short route duration supplied

Quick riverside escape

01
Start from a suitable Yarrow Valley Country Park entrance.
02
Follow a park path to the River Yarrow and the weir.
03
Pause at the water, then return by the same path if conditions and route signage allow.

Half day · Around 1.5–2 hours for the sourced 4.7-mile circular route; allow extra time for stops

Make a half day of Yarrow Valley

01
Start at Birkacre car park by Big Lodge, checking the current parking arrangements.
02
Follow the circular route through woodland and alongside the water.
03
Visit Yarrow Weir and the fish pass on the way around.
04
Finish at the Birkacre visitor centre and Treeface café if open.

Verified history

The supplied circular-route account says the Birkacre car park occupies the site of Richard Arkwright’s cotton mill, which was burned by rioters in 1779. It also says a fish pass was built in 2003 near the weir to address the obstruction to fish movement caused by the weir. These are route-source claims, not independently corroborated here.

Hidden details

The fish pass — Look for the fish pass mentioned in the circular-route description as a detail alongside the river.

When to go

· Weekday mornings or early evenings are suggested in the supplied source row for a quieter visit; this is not independently confirmed.

The supplied source describes seasonal changes through the year, including spring flowers and autumn colour, but gives no verified peak dates.

The circular-route source warns that some wooded trails can be wet and muddy. Wear suitable footwear and check current conditions.

The route

ascent: 278 ft
surface: Wooded trails, some wet or muddy, and roads
distance: 4.7 miles
duration: 1.5–2 hours (route-source estimate)
difficulty: Moderate (route-source classification)
route shape: Loop
start point: Birkacre car park by Big Lodge, according to the route source
parking start: Birkacre car park, PR7 3QL; Chorley Council reports charges apply daily from 8am to 5pm. Check current details.

Big Lodge
Duxbury Wood
River Yarrow
Yarrow Weir
Fish pass

Worth pairing with

Treeface café and information centre

At the Birkacre car park, according to Chorley Council; check opening details before visiting.

Big Lodge and Duxbury Wood

Both are named on the supplied circular route, which follows the lodge and continues through Duxbury Wood.

What to look for

Notice how the river changes as it passes over the weir, and look for the fish pass mentioned on the circular route. The supplied source describes birdlife in the park, but does not verify particular species at the weir.

Best time to go

Year-round; spring and autumn offer seasonal interest, but conditions and path surfaces vary.

The supplied source recommends weekday mornings or early evenings for a quieter visit. Spring and autumn bring seasonal changes to the park; exact peak conditions are not verified.

How long to spend

1–2 hours for the weir as part of a walk; longer for a park circuit

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Families

Practical information

Opening & access

Within Yarrow Valley Country Park. The park has several car parks and walking routes; check current access and parking details before travelling.

Check before visiting

Parking

The Birkacre car park is at PR7 3QL. Chorley Council says charges apply there daily from 8am to 5pm; other park car parks are free. Check current details before setting out.

Check before visiting

Toilets

The source row reports toilets near the main car park, but current provision is not confirmed by the supplied council source. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Treeface café and an information centre are at the Birkacre car park, according to Chorley Council. Check opening details before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

The source row says dogs are welcome and should be kept on a lead; confirm current rules and signage before visiting.

Accessibility

The supplied source row describes some paths as wheelchair-suitable but notes that natural terrain can make other trails challenging. Check current route conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Paid parking at Birkacre; other park car parks are reported as free. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Water

River