Sometimes called Parlick Pike, it is situated approx 10 miles N.E of Preston. Nearest Village is Chipping, Parlick covers the majority of local prominent wind directions. NW through S to NE, almost 270 Degrees of good lift conditions.

Directions:

Route 1 (A6 from Preston) (Map - Red route)

Heading North on the A6 from Preston, turn right at the Broughton traffic lights towards Longridge. Take a left after 1mile and head through Inglewhite. continue past Barns Fold reservoirs & continue in a NE direction passing the Gliding club on the left & generally heading towards Chipping. The road to Fell Foot is to the left about 1ml.after the Gliding club. 

Route 2 (A6 from Lancaster) (Map - Yellow route)
Heading South on the A6 at Bilsborrow just south of Garstang , at the Roebuck inn, turn left (East) on to Bilsborrow Lane. Follow the signs to beacon fell but go past this and pick up the signs for Chipping. The road twists and turn but you will see the impressive hills of Fair Snape Fell (on the left) joined to Parlick on the right. The road takes you particularly close to Parlick and just as the road veers sharp right (south) (towards the gliding club and Chipping beyond) at this junction there is a road on the left (straight on – designated a “quiet lane”) take this road, which keeps Parlick on your left. At the end of this road you will find the access road to Parlick (Fell Foot).

Park in the parking bays up the access road to fell foot or at the junction at the bottom. .GR 60004437.  

Walk up the access road to Fell Foot cottage where there is a large gate. It is worth reading the notice board just inside the gate. (a few do's and Don'ts)

This is where you may think that you want to go home – the thought of climbing straight up to the top hill from here puts a lot of people off. However, model flying is generally not done from the top and depending on the direction of the wind then the walk may not be quite as bad as you think to the areas where modellers gather.

The predominant wind direction is Westerly, this allows for an easier approach to the hill. At the top of the initial steep bank/ cobbled path the path goes straight up from just inside the gate, the path forks (straight up for the S, SE slope or you can take the left fork and progress up the hill in a steady spiral towards the Westerly slopes.
(for those that think the cobbled path is a little too steep, (it can be when there is ice around) turn right and you will see a more gentle path around the fenced area taking you to the top of the cobbles.)

The SW spiral is a nice walk that takes in the views to the South and West. Longridge to the south, In the distance Winter Hill nr Bolton, Preston SW, Beacon Fell , above which on a good day you can see Mt Snowdon - Wales, Anglesey, Blackpool, Presall and I have even seen the distant outline of the Isle of Man on a really clear day. The larger hill along the ridge to the north is Fair Snape Fell – also a good walk where even better views await. The sunset from Parlick is particularly impressive.

Take your time and rest when you need, progress up the well defined path up to the style / gate. Here you will see a stone wall adjacent to the path. 50 yards or so along will bring you to a point where modellers congregate. They can put their models behind the wall, use it to shelter from the wind and there is a steep slope behind you that allows for you to sit and be sheltered from the wind while you are flying.

Some fantastic lift can be found here. Full size gliders, from the gliding club in the valley, can be seen moving up and down in this band of lift to transit to the higher ground, Snape Fell, which is where they do most of their soaring. Also paragliders can, on the warmer more calmer days, climb to great heights. They tend to go further up the hill to launch. For modellers, we can fly in most conditions. Indeed, during the time when the wind is above 10 mph the paragliders are often no where to be seen.

I have flown Parlick in Zero wind conditions with a small lightweight gliders primarily using thermal lift through to a howling gale where you have to sit down otherwise the wind will blow you over. All equally loads of fun, there are just a few slope soaring rules that need to be considered, for that matter where ever you fly.

Generally do not turn in towards the slope, especially if the wind is strong.
do not fly behind you, not even for a landing, if you do turn towards the slope make sure you keep your speed on and turn early. Watch out of others, be it other modellers, full size gliders / paragliders and not to forget the ramblers.
 

Beacon Fell:    Suitable for SW-NW winds. (OS map 102)

It is with regret that I have to report that flying from Beacon Fell is no longer practicable. This is due to major tree planting activity on the westerly slope. Planting of saplings has taken place on both the field on the left side behind the wall, and now planting has taken place in front of the wall lower down the slope and also around to the NW. There is only a fairly narrow path left without any trees which would make landing somewhat tricky with the chance that the saplings may get damaged.   Suitable for SW-NW winds. (OS map 102) Beacon Fell is recognised by the fact that most of it is covered in pine trees. There is some open ground on top but the soaring site is the green slope on the western side up to the tree line.   Park 250m past visitor centre in small car park on right, GR SD5625 4285.  Cross road - through gate -   We used to fly from the field immediately on the left through the kissing gate, but this has now been planted with tree saplings. However if you carry onto the bottom of the track to the next gate into the lower field then you can fly. Lift can be very good particularly in light winds a distance out from the face. Beware the stone wall at top of slope & tall dense forest behind. not so good for large models in the lower field but if conditions are good with light winds, lift is good. If wind is blustery and moderate, then beware of the turbulence generated from the trees at the foot of the slope.   This is private, grazing land, but treat it with respect and it is ok to fly there. Often used when Parlick is covered in cloud or for those that do not like to walk too far.   The visitors centre has a cafe, and public toilets.   Directions: There are a number of routes to and around Beacon Fell depending the direction you are coming from:   Route 1: (This route is more direct from Preston.) (Map - Red route) Heading North on the A6, turn right at the Broughton traffic.lights towards Longridge. Take a left after 1mile & head thro. Inglewhite. Thro. Crombleholme fold to join one way system close to Beacon Fell visitor centre. 250m after visitor centre park in small carpark on right.   From the car park you enter the site through a gate & through a kissing gate to the left. The stile is straight on through the first gate in the stone wall & used if you land low.   Route 2: ( From Lancaster) (Map - Yellow route) Heading South on the A6 from Lancaster, at Bilsborrow just south of Garstang , at the Roebuck inn, turn left (East) on to Bilsborrow Lane  pick up and follow the signs for beacon fell.   Enter Beacon Fell access road and follow the one way road round the back of the hill until you get all the way back to the west to the visitors centre, 250m after visitor centre park in small carpark on right. From the carpark, you will see the a gate  and kissing gate to the left.

Easy walk from car park - thru gate, followed by gentle incline on well defined path.

Fairly good landing areas - some rocks in heather - good for large models.  Site occasionally shared with para gliders.