Bluebells, wood anemones and garlic-scented ramsons brighten the tree-filled cloughs that slope down to the River Ribble near Hurst Green. This charming village looks as though little has changed for centuries, yet the almshouses were moved here only 60 years ago. The suspension bridge too, appears every inch 19th century, but was actually built in 1951. Alas in 2015 it was damaged in floods and is now closed and may be replaced. But with trees and flowers and a genuine 17th century mansion it's a grand walk, especially in spring with the fields full of bouncing lambs.
LOCATION: Six miles north of Blackburn
START: Hurst Green on B6243. Roadside parking Avenue Rd
Grid ref: SD684382 Postcode: BB7 9QA
DISTANCE: 5 miles
GRADE: Easy
TIME: 3 hours
MAP: Explorer - West Pennine Moors Landranger 103
REFRESHMENTS: Hurst Green
EN ROUTE: Ribble Way, Stoneyhurst
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News