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| A Wobbly Walk Round The Ribble |
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Date : 11th July 2010
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Leader : Sue Baxendale |
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Report by : Sue Baxendale |
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Photos © : Gail Bedson |
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| A wobbly signpost | |
It was a rather windy and cool meeting of ramblers on Sunday lunchtime but hopeful of a brighter afternoon we set of to the start of the walk – Marles Wood Picnic site. This site provided by LCC is a good location for exploring this part of the Ribble Valley with Ribchester, Hurst Green, Stonyhurst and Dinkley all within the vicinity. However none of these venues were on the route of today’s walk!
The walkers left the car park and after crossing the road took the path up the hillside by the side of a large wood and then across open fields, well guided by some rather ancient finger posts. At the top of the rise they stood to admire a pond almost completely covered in yellow and white water lilies, although there was no sighting of the moorhen and her chicks seen earlier in the week.
They then followed the lane toward the outskirts of Copster Green but turned back towards the Ribble before reaching the A59. A barn full of very young calves caused some “oohs” and “aahs” at Park Gate Farm. Down past Bolton Hall where the old farm house, complete with mullion windows, has been greatly extended by the barn conversion at the side.
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left:
Open Fields |
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right: Bolton Hall |
Rumbling stomachs demanded a lunch stop, so a rest at the highest point of the walk and a chance to admire the views across the valley and Longridge Fell. Then field paths, with some very wobbly stiles, down to the back of a very sad looking De Tabley Arms. This well known and once impressive looking building is now boarded up and partially demolished. A very sad sight indeed.
A dash over the bridge to cross the river, avoiding the Sunday traffic, and then we started to follow the route of the Ribble Way for the next few miles. The view of the river was partial hidden by the bushes and undergrowth growing alongside it but by now the sun had come out and everyone was certainly a lot warmer that when we started.
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| The Ribble through the trees | |
We followed the route past Dewhurst House and then along the river bank through Haugh Wood. Here the footpath has to leave the river bank and we had the steepest climb of the day but were well rewarded by a wonderful view of Pendle Hill as we reached the top of the climb and a stop for a drink.
On through the fields to Hey Hurst and along the edge of the Clough Bank Wood the group went to cross the footbridge over Starling Brook. No starlings were seen but a very large majestic heron rose from the stream as we approached and gave us an exhibition in low level flying.
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left:
Coffee-break |
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right: A good view of Pendle Hill |
Along the field paths through hay meadows brought us to Trough House where we turned sharp right to take the track down to the river and the famous suspension bridge. The bridge was opened in 1951 and replaced the Dinkley ferry. Crossing the bridge gave us an indication of how low the river is at the moment as much of the edge, and river bottom, usually covered by water was visible. Despite a few wobbles everyone crossed safely and had the chance to study another heron. This one stood in the water waiting to catch it’s next meal. It was now a beautiful afternoon so the last refreshment stop was taken by the river bank before the final stretch along by the river, into Marles Wood itself and back to the cars.
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left:
The Suspension Bridge... |
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right: ...over The River Ribble |
Also on this walk was 11 year old Georgia who has submitted her own report for the walk...
| 7 mile walk around Marles Wood |
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Date : 11th July 2010
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Leader : Sue Baxendale |
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Report by : Georgia Belshaw |
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Photos © : Gail Bedson |
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Just before we began the walking I was nervous because it was my first walk but it wasn't at all bad. I was worried that it might affect my asthma but surprisingly it didn't. The walk ran pretty smoothly and for my first walk I really enjoyed it.
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| Georgia on the bridge | |
We started walking at about 12.30pm and I then lost track of time but I didn't care. During the walk we saw many amazing things including a lily pond and the River Ribble which is so beautiful. There were loads of gorgeous views but I didn't recognise any. we went over many stiles and through many gates. one particular stile was very wobbly and unstable and we laughed about how the walk should have been called The Wobbly Stile walk! As the afternoon went on we soon stopped for dinner. We all filled ourselves up and then we were off again. We soon came to a suspension bridge which was very shaky. Sue, the leader of the walk, shook the bridge and scared me because I hate bridges. The bridge goes over the River Ribble and on the water we saw a heron. Soon the walk came to an end and some people were glad because to them it was hard work but to me it was very easy for my first walk I would of happily turned around and done it again.
By Georgia Belshaw, aged 11.
| OS EXPLORER 287 |
WEST PENNINE MOORS |
| START POINT |
SD 675 356 |
FINISH POINT |
SE 675 356 |
| WALK LENGTH |
5.8 mls / 9.5 km |
TIME WALKING |
2 hrs 30 mins |
| MAX HEIGHT |
86 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
22 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
187 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
187 mtrs |
This map is for reference only and MUST NOT be used to do the walk.
Please use the correct OS map for all these walks.
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