Peregrinating the North West and Beyond

Tag: Hiking

  • A Ribble Valley walk with lunch and two pubs from Whalley

    Lancashire walk taking in the Nick O'Pendle with lunch and pubs. The White Hart in Sadden, the Freemasons Arms in Wiswell and the Hare and Hounds in Whalley
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate to Strenuous (11 miles)
    Length11 mi – 17.7 km
    Total elevation1,601 ft – 481m
    Highest point942 ft – 296m
    Walking time4h48
    TerrainPaths, Roads and streets
    EquipmentTake an extra layer as the top can be colder or windier. Also, some waterproof boots or shoes; some of the terrain gets muddy
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    Lancashire walk taking in the Nick O'Pendle with lunch and pubs. The White Hart in Sadden, the Freemasons Arms in Wiswell and the Hare and Hounds in Whalley
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: Car-parking along Accrington Road is free and untimed. There is a pay and display at the Swan Hotel.
    • Public transport:
    • From Preston: Bus 280 to Post Office in Whalley (c.45 mins)
    • From Manchester: Direct bus to Whalley (c. 1h10)
    • From Leeds: Train to Blackburn then train to Whalley (c. 2hrs)

    Watering Holes
    • The White Hart – Sadden – c. 4 miles into the walk (1h45)
      Amazing value lunches on Tue-Thu. The pub has received several awards for its food. Good selection of cask ales.
      Home-cooked and locally sourced food served everyday from 12:00-20:00 (19:00 on Sundays) Small plates, classic pub mains and grills and home-made pies. Children menu available. Muddy paws and boots are alway welcome. Cosy fireplace in the winter. Good old fashioned tenanted pub.
      This is definitely my favorite of the three.
    • The Freemason at Wiswell – c. 8 miles into the walk (3h30)
      Wiswell is a charming village who has won several awards. The same goes for the Freemason. Listed in Michelin and Estrella Award list, this is a gastro pub where the food is excellent and worth the extra money for special occasions (£40-50 pp for the food only). Thus not suitable for a mid-walk lunch as this is (informal) formal dining and needs time to be appreciated. However, the service is always impeccable and friendly. Feel free to stop on a sunny day for a pint in the outside seating area.
      It does serves real ale.
    • The Dog Inn at Whalley – right at the end.
      A night and day contrast with the previous venue. This is as old fashioned as it gets (both in terms of look and atmosphere)
      Fully independent with great ales (member of CAMRA) and home-cooked food (Pub classics). Children menu available. However, food is for lunch only (12:00-14:00) unless pre-arranged for dinner. Excellent value for money.
      Your typical friendly village inn. Muddy paws and boots are always welcome. Children menu available. Frequented by locals but visitors will alway be made to feel welcome. The pub is open for drinks from 12:00-23:00 Sunday – Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Outdoor seating in the summer.

    Make a week-end of it

    Whalley is a lovely place to spend the week-end. Other than a multitude of walks departing from there; this charming market town offers a wide range of cafes, ice-cream parlour, pubs, wine bars and restaurants.

    Shop till you drop:  Whalley Warm and Dry is a long-standing institution for walking shoes, clothing and accessories. An independent shop running since 2000. Specialises in boot-fitting (appointment only), it offers boots in 5 different width and specialist insoles for various feet condition. Walkers travel from all over the North of England, and the rest of the country to find new walking boots or garments. Doctors, Physio and Chiropodists will refer patients to the store. Open from 9:00-17:00 Tue-Sat.

    If you want to stay at the heart of Whalley, the Swan hotel has no-fuss rooms above its pub-restaurant. I have never had the chance to stop there but reviews on the rooms are positive.

    If you are after more luxurious settings; the Foxfields Country Hotel is on the outskirt and half and hour walk from the town. I have not stayed there either but it is a popular wedding venue in the Valley. And reviews on the internet are excellent.

    And if you are after the ultimate luxury, the Freemasons at Wiswell is the place to be. The pub-restaurant has bought the adjacent cottages and turned them into 4 luxurious bedrooms. Perfect for a romantic week-end for example. But rooms start at £250 and Dinner, Bed and Breakfast for 2 at £310, although if you have some cash to spare; this is not bad value. The food really is excellent, the rooms are special and the service is very professional, yet friendly.

    And for yet another level of luxury, Northcote Manor is only around the corner.

    For something more low key and down to earth; The White Hart in Sadden will accommodate camper vans for the night. I have always enjoyed the food there and they have events in the evening (Jam / open-mic. or quiz night). Service is very friendly. Muddy paws and boots are always welcome. The pub also offers maps of walk from the village.

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  • Tolkien trail extended: Ribble River, Stonyhurst College and Hurst Green

    The Tolkien trail in the Ribble Valley. From Hurst Green but extended for a stroll along the Ribble River. Stonyhurst is a Jesuit college where Tolkien was teaching.
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyModerate to Strenuous (nearly 12 miles)
    Length11.8 mi – 19 km
    Total elevation1,484 ft – 452m
    Highest point375 ft – 114m
    Walking time4h38
    Terrainfootpaths and Paths
    EquipmentExcellent paths, nothing specific required but this is a long walk. Make sure you bring enough water
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    The Tolkien trail in the Ribble Valley. From Hurst Green but extended for a stroll along the Ribble River. Stonyhurst is a Jesuit college where Tolkien was teaching.
    Send me a message on Instagram or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: Marles Wood car park
    • Public transport:
    • From Manchester: Train from Victoria to Whalley then bus 5 to Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green (c. 2hrs)
    • From Preston: Bus 1 to Post Office in Longridge then bus 5 from Booth in Longridge to Shireburn Arms in Hurst Green (c. 1h20)

    Watering Holes
    • Shireburn Arms
      C. 2.4 miles after the start or before finishing if you park on Marl Woods.
      Part of the Bowland Inns and Hotels. Serves real ale. Open every day, hours TBC
      Locally sourced food served everyday from 12:00-21:00 Sandwiches until 17:00 and classic pub mains and restaurant dishes. Children menu available. This is a popular venue for events and weddings, rather than a typical walker’s bar or pub.
      Outdoor seating in the summer, fireplace in winter.

    Make a week-end of it

    The Shireburn Arms does have rooms but there is little to do other than outdoor pursuits in Hurst Green.

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    If you are after visiting the area by car or more outdoor pursuits; Little Oak Farm Glamping would be my favorite spot.

    An amazing glamping experience on a working farm. It has two yurts and two shepherd’s huts. Fire-pit and wood-fired hot-tubs,

    They offer afternoon tea with home-made cakes and sandwiches. You can also reserve a barbecue hamper

    If you are into combining the week-end with some retail therapy, wining and/or dining; stay in Clitheroe.

    Spinning Block hotel at Holmes Mill is also part of the Bowland Brewery and hotels collection.

    I have never stayed at the hotel but have greatly enjoyed the Beer Hall.

  • A country walk with 3 pubs in Greater Manchester

    A walk with pubs in Greater Manchester (Ramsbottom, Holcombe Moors). Includes The Pack Horse Inn Affetside, Waggon and Horses in Hawkshaw and Irwell Works Brewery
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    • Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
    • Length: 9.36 mi
    • Total elevation: 1,427 ft
    • Highest point: 1,050ft
    • Walking time: 4h15
    • Terrain: roads through villages, walking paths, muddy and overgrown in some sections.
    • Equipment: Waterproof shoes or boots; can be muddy in parts. From April-July, long trousers as you may go through nettles

    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    A walk with pubs in Greater Manchester (Ramsbottom, Holcombe Moors). Includes The Pack Horse Inn Affetside, Waggon and Horses in Hawkshaw and Irwell Works Brewery
    Send me a message on Instagram or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: Several car-park near the start
    • Public transport:
    • From Manchester: Bus X41 RedExpress to Market Place in Ramsbottom then 472 to Regent St, Hazlehurst (c. 1h15)
    • From Preston: Train to Bolton then bus 480 to Bolton Rd, Summerseat or Train to Manchester Victoria and bus X41 RedExpress to Market Place in Ramsbottom (c. 1h50, inc 25 mins extra walk from bus stop)

    Watering Holes
    • The Pack Horse Inn – Affetside – after 3.59 miles (c. 1h35)
      A cosy traditional pub with a beer garden for the summer and fireplace in winter.
      Serves real ale. Open 12:00-23:00 (Midnight on Friday and Saturday)
      Home made food everyday between 12:00-21:00

    • Waggon and Horses – Hawkshaw – after 4.75 miles (c. 2h09)
      Cosy village pub with outdoors seating in the summer
      Serves real ale. Open Wed-Sun 12:00-23:00 (22:30 on Sunday)
      Amazing home made food Wed-Sun 12:00-19:30
      My favorite of the 4 for food.

    • Hare & Hounds – Hazlehurst (Ramsbottom) – At start and finish
      Greene King pub – At the end of the walk
      Outdoors seating for the summer
      Extensive menu and sports area with Sky Sports

    • Irwell Works Brewery – Not on the walk, in Ramsbottom Town Centre
      Working brewery with a brewery tap room at the top.
      My favorite of the 4 for a pint and definitely worth the small detour.

    Make a week-end of it

    Ramsbottom, a market town nestled on the egdge of the North Pennines Moors, is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway. The town boasts a diverse array of dining and drinking options, along with numerous independent shops, making it a charming place to explore.

    Where to stay: The Eagle and Child Inn is a pub with rooms. I haven’t stayed there and cannot offer personal comments but the online reviews are excellent. The location is central and a good base to explore the town’s numerous cafes, pubs and restaurant. Or close to many other walks and hikes in the area.

  • A pre-carvery lunch walk in East Lancashire

    An East Lancashire walk with a carvery at the Game Cock Inn Pub in Great Harwood. Alternative route via The Lord Nelson in Langho or the Park Hotel in Harwood
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyEasy
    Length6.8 mi – 10.9 km
    Total elevation846 ft – 258m
    Highest point657 ft – 200m
    Walking time2h53
    TerrainPaths, footpaths and roads
    EquipmentWaterproof shoes or boots – Can be muddy in parts
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    An East Lancashire walk with a carvery at the Game Cock Inn Pub in Great Harwood. Alternative route via The Lord Nelson in Langho or the Park Hotel in Harwood
    Send me a message on Instagram or email to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Public transport: Bus n. 15 or 531 to the Game Cock Inn
    • Driving: Car park at Goldacre Lane – the pub would then be a c. a mile prior to finishing. You can also park at the pub if you are starting the walk early enough and will be back early for lunch.
    • Public transport:
    • From Manchester: Train from Victoria to Accrington + bus 15 to Game Cock Inn (c. 1h45)
    • From Preston: Train from Victoria to Accrington + bus 15 to Game Cock Inn (c. 1h30)
    • From Leeds: Train from Victoria to Accrington + bus 15 to Game Cock Inn (c. 1h55)

    Watering Holes
    • The Game Cock Inn – Great Harwood – at the end if you get there by bus.
      C. a mile before finishing if you park on Goldacre Lane.
      Part of the Black Rose chain. Serves real ale. Open every day 11:30-22:00
      Good value carvery 11:30-20:00 but call before hand to ensure the carvery is served on the day you visit. Small plates, sandwiches and classic pub mains. Children menu.
      Beer garden with a wonderful views in the summer, fireplace in winter. Dog friendly

    • The Park Hotel – Great Harwood – Venturing off the walk or as an alternative start / finish
      Well worth the detour and my favorite in the are – amazing Sunday lunches and the food is locally sourced.
      Also offers an amazing value lunch with two courses for £13.95 or three courses for £16.95. (Wed-Fri 12:00-14:00)
      The pub is open 12:00-22:00 Wed-Sun and 16:00-22:00 Monday and Tuesdays. Contact me on Instagram if you would like the customised route from that pub.

    • The Lord Nelson – Langho – Venturing off the walk half-way, would add just under a mile for the detour. Could also be an alternative start from Langho. Well worth the detour.
      Cosy country pub with real ale and home-made food (also locally sourced)
      Beer garden at the back for the summer and real fire in winter.
      Contact me on Instagram if you would like the customised route from that pub.
    Make a week-end of it

    The Lord Nelson in Langho has 3 rooms.

    Langho is ideally placed for walks in the Ribble Valley.

    If you are having lunch and the pub and fancy something different in the evening; the is a curry house in the village.

    And for the gourmets, the famous Michelin Starred Northcote Manor.