Marles Wood and the River Ribble, Near Clitheroe

Introduction

The Ribble is a majestic river as meanders from Clitheroe down to the Irish Sea at Preston.

The weather has suddenly turned colder, but there was not a cloud in the sky for the whole walk. It was such a good day that it all but erased memories of yesterday’s washout!

It’s an hour’s drive from Cheadle Hulme to the car park at Marles Wood..

The walk is 7.7 miles and took 4 hours. It’s not excessively strenuous, but due to a footpath closure I ended up walking 8.5 miles. More of that later.

There was plenty of opportunity for dog walkers to give their dog a good run, with just a few sheep fields and some minor roads at the end. These can be avoided by returning along the riverside, to the car park.

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 287.

The car park is at postcode BB6 8AL.

Marles Wood And The South Bank Of The Ribble

The bright sunshine even made the car park look attractive, as I walked down the path towards the river.

In a few moments, the glorious river appeared – first looking downstream…

…and then upstream.

Yesterday’s rain, and some fallen trees, had left the path through the wood quite tricky to negotiate.

Then, every so often, a gap in the trees gave spectacular views of river.

Beyond the wood, the full expanse of the river, 30 – 40 yards across was clearer to see.

Soon, I reached Dinckerley footbridge

Dinckerley To Hurst Green

A sharp left turn led me through some very wet fields of long grass, which continued as I turned up the northern bank of the river valley.

Thankfully, my waterproof shoes stood this test. There were no people or animals about. Or so I thought. As I rounded a small rise in the ground, a startled brown hare galloped away.

Merrick’s Wood is a delightful, secluded spot.

Emerging at Lambing Clough, the view east provided a sighting of the unmistakable Pendle Hill.

Hurst Green To The River Ribble

The road up to Hurst Green has some lovely houses, overlooking the valley. Hurst Green is a pleasant, tidy village with a good pub / hotel, The Shireburn Arms and a public toilet facility.

After the village, the route meandered across a few fields before reaching the impressive Stonyhurst College.

It is an independent, Jesuit Catholic co-educational boarding school for 13-16 year olds. Where they were, I don’t know. It was eerily silent, with none of the extensive sports facilities in use.

I hastened along, through Hall Barn Farm, and down the muddy track past New Barn.

After a brief road section, I turned down a wooded lane, leading to Hobbit Hill.

It turns out this is a wedding / conference venue.

Following on past Fox Fields Farm, I found myself back at the river.

The riverside path has a steep slope down to a deep section of river. A place to keep dogs on the lead.

The Final Stretch…. Or So I Thought

The map shows an aqueduct crossing the river. There’s no canal here, so I was intrigued.

It’s an impressive structure.

It carries two large diameter pipes, and I assume it’s linked to the nearby sewage works marked on the map.

At a narrow wood land, the path rises a short distance from the river, seemingly to follow the top edge of the woodland.

There, I came across this crude “Footpath Closed” sign. The path and field could not be accessed.

There was no alternative but to take the path back up the hill into Hurst Green, and return on my outward route to Lambing Clough, before dropping back down to the river.

The other end of the closed path had this sign, but no explanation.

Now it was back over Dinckerley Bridge, and a left turn a stream that had to be forded.

The path follows the driveway of Dinckerley Hall, rising up the valley side, giving a view back over the river to Hurst Green.

From here it was a pleasant stroll along quiet country lanes back to the car park.

I enjoyed the walk, particularly the river sections. The weather was stunning which always help.

The unexpected path closure was annoying though!

And Finally….

“Confidence” is the new album from The Hoosiers. This track is “Lying”.