White Coppice Walk

1.9 miles (3 km)

This delightful walk takes you along a series of reservoirs near the little hamlet of White Coppice in Lancashire.
It's an idyllic spot with a lovely cricket ground surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Walk Report October 9th 2026 By Joanne Parker:
The car park at the cricket ground at White Coppice is a lovely place to start a walk. It sits in a little hollow among the Lancashire hills, with a row of old cottages nearby and woodland rising behind it.... I arrived on a bright but breezy morning and spent a few minutes looking around before setting off. The ground has a wonderfully traditional feel, with its small pavilion and cricket nets making an unexpected sight in such a rural setting.
Leaving the hamlet, I followed the footpaths and quiet lanes towards the reservoirs. The route passes an old quarry and a pretty brook, with the sound of running water accompanying parts of the walk. The cottages are another highlight, particularly where they sit close to the stream; they give this small settlement a character quite different from the larger Lancashire villages nearby.
The reservoirs were the main attraction for me. The path follows the water through a mixture of open ground and wooded sections, with the hills reflected on the surface when the light catches it. There were sheep grazing in the surrounding fields, and I found plenty of places to pause and enjoy the quiet. The landscape feels surprisingly spacious for such a short walk, especially when you look towards Healey Nab and the higher ground beyond.
Some of the paths were soft and muddy underfoot, particularly where they crossed the fields, so I was glad to have proper walking boots. The route is not especially long, but the uneven ground and occasional changes in direction mean it is worth keeping an eye on the map rather than assuming every track leads the right way. The approach road to the cricket ground is also quite rough, something to bear in mind when driving in.
On the return, I followed the path back towards White Coppice, enjoying another look at the cottages and brook before reaching the cricket ground again. It was a satisfying little circuit, with enough variety to feel like a proper countryside walk without needing to spend half the day on the hills. There are longer routes from the same starting point if you fancy more of a challenge, including walks towards Great Hill and Hatch Brook Waterfall.
White Coppice is a good reminder that you don't always need a big summit or a famous landmark to make a walk memorable. The cricket ground, old cottages, quarry and reservoirs give this short route plenty of character, while the surrounding countryside makes it easy to linger a little longer. It is a particularly appealing spot for a quiet walk, with the option of extending the outing into the wider West Pennine Moors if you have more time.
White Coppice is located very close to the splendid Healey Nab, so it's easy to continue your walking in the area. The hill is located just to the south and has miles of mountain bike trails and footpaths to try.
Also just to the south is the beautiful Anglezarke Reservoir with some lovely waterside trails and more great views.
Just to the west you can pick up the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Chorley and follow it towards Adlington.
Pubs and More Info
The White Coppice to Great Hill Walk and the White Coppice Waterfall Walk both start from the same location. The latter will take you north along the River Goit to visit the delightful Hatch Brook Waterfall and surrounding woodland.
The Brinscall Walk starts from the nearby village. You can follow a pleasant walking trail south along The Goit Canal to reach the village where you'll find the Withnell Nature Reserve. Abbey Village Reservoir can also be accessed near the northern end of this route.
For more walking ideas in the area see the West Pennine Moors Walks and the Lancashire Walks pages.