The Tolkien Trail, Hurst Green - Saturday 13th April 2019

A party of eleven of us set off from the Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green to explore the Tolkien Trail in the Ribble Valley. The first leg of the walk takes you across fields from which you have fine views of Pendle Hill and the surrounding countryside. Eventually we reached Stonyhurst College the Jesuit School with it's fine Grade 1 listed buildings.

From here we made the descent into the Ribble Valley passing Cromwell's Bridge over the River Hodder and named after him when he marched his army across on the way to Walton-le-Dale to fight the Battle of Preston in 1648. The route then leaves the river and follows farm tracks to reach the River Ribble at the junction of the two rivers.

The path continues along the banks of the Ribble undulating through the beautiful Lancashire countryside. On the way you pass the Jumbles where the river tumbles across the limestone ridge and the mysterious stone cross on the adjacent hillside, Finally you reach the graceful aqueduct which arches across the river.

From here you make the climb from the river back to the pub where you can enjoy an excellent lunch in the old manor house and now the Shireburn Arms Hotel. The distance was about six miles.

Ramblers at the start

Pendle Hill

The Observatory Stonyhurst School

Stonyhurst

Cromwell's Bridge. New road bridge in background

Ready for a coffee break

Junction Rivers Hodder and Ribble

Along the Ribble river bank

The Junbles

Steep climb back to the pub!

Waiting for lunch

Shireburn Arms Hotel

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Ashworth and Norden - Saturday 10th November 2018

Ashworth and Norden, Rochdale. St Jame's Church, Ashworth A party of six set out from Norden, Rochdale for this 5 mile ramble through the local countryside.From the car park we turned into Black Pits Lane and very soon arrived at the footpath alongside Naden Brook. At the bridge next to remains of the old mill, we crossed the river, and then began the climb out of the valley to a farm track which leads up to the ancient church of St James Bamford and the former pub known as the Chapel House, which is now a private residence. Here we stopped to admire the old church with its interesting grave stones and the views across Lancashire to Manchester and Derbyshire. We then crossed the fields to the old schoolhouse before joining Ashworth Rd to take us down to Simpson and Gelder Cloughs. Unfortunately we found the road closed because of a landslide and we had to retrace our steps and take an alternative path down to the valley. Not wishing to miss out the scenery

Birtle - Saturday 11th February 2017

The first walk of the 2017 season started from the Pack Horse Inn, Birtle on the lower slopes of the Pennines above Heywood. On a cold wet windy Saturday we set off from the Inn to follow the road north on a long steady climb to the hamlet of Birtle where we then turned to follow the path along the edge of Ashworth Valley. Unfortunately from the top the views over Lancashire were obscured by cloud and mist but the views of the wooded valley with Cheesden Brook running through provided some compensation. We made a detour from the route to visit Nabs Wife the site of the former Tea room and weaving mill known as Kershaws Bridge. The site is now occupied by a private dwelling although the old mill yard is still evident. From here we continued along the edge of the valley before turning to take the path across fields to return to the start point and a long leisurely lunch in the pub! Further information: http://www.packhorseinnbury.co.uk/about http://heywoodmonkey.blogspot.co.uk/2

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Country Park - Saturday 10th August 2019

This walk came about during a discussion over coffee after Church probably two Sundays ago and was a bit of a corporate effort. Nothing was planned until some one mentioned Styal Mill and possibilities of lunch at the Ship Inn. One person had a much walked route embedded in her boots! This route also allowed the opportunity to cut back through the beautiful gardens if the prospect of the few short but sharp inclines was too much. Firstly we had coffee in the Mill restaurant before ten of us set off from the old Mill Yard (featured in ‘The Mill’ TV series). We went up the hill from the Mill towards the Apprentice House but turned left along the track that skirts the outer edges of land round the original home of the Gregg family. This used to be a muddy path but in the last few years the National Trust has upgraded many of the paths on the estate, making them accessible to more visitors, including wheelchair users and children’s buggies. We dropped down to the River Bolli

St Paul's Rambling Group Heaton Moor

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