Peregrinating the North West and Beyond

Tag: Tockholes

  • A Lancashire stroll with 3 reservoirs, 2 pubs and 1 woodland

    Lancashire stroll with pub includes Hare & Hounds at Abbey Village and Royal Arms at Ryal Fold. Tockholes, Roddlesworth Reservoir
    Click on the picture to see the full slideshow and route video

    Stats
    DifficultyEasy
    Length4.1 mi – 6.6 km
    Total elevation545 ft – 166m
    Highest point832 ft – 254m
    Walking time1h50
    TerrainPaths and footpaths
    EquipmentNone necessary – Good paths and short walk
    View route (Click on menu to reveal the image)
    Lancashire stroll with pub includes Hare & Hounds at Abbey Village and Royal Arms at Ryal Fold. Tockholes, Roddlesworth Reservoir
    Send me a message by email or on Instagram to request the GPX file, AllTrails or Komoot link

    Getting there
    • Driving: Car-parking in Abbey Village – if full, park at Ryal Fold (Roddelsworth Visitor Centre) and do the walk the other way round.
    • Public transport:
    • From Preston: Train to Chorley or Blackburn then bus number 2 to the Hare & Hounds in Abbey village (c. 50 mins)
    • From Manchester: Train from Victoria to Blackburn then bus number 2 to the Hare & Hounds in Abbey village or train from Piccadilly to Chorley (c. 1h30)

    Watering Holes
    • The Royal Arms – Ryal Fold (Tockhole) – c. 2 miles into the walk (1h)
      An institution to the regular Locals but also a warm and welcoming Country Pub and cafe to visitors.
      Home-cooked food with breakfast, pub-classics, sandwiches and delicious puddings. Closed on Monday all day and Tuesday before 17:00. Children menu available. Muddy paws and boots welcome. Selection of real Ales. Outdoors seating for the summer and cosy fireplace in the winter.
      Whether you are after coffee and sweets or pie and ale; this is definitely worth a visit.
    • The Hare and Hounds – Abbey Village – c. 8 miles into the walk (3h30)
      A village pub serving English pub classics and German food ! I really enjoyed the Bratkartoffel there; topped with 2 fried eggs. The food is home-made and really good value. There are also lighter fares like sandwiches, jacket potatoes and a children’s menu. The kitchen is open everyday from 12:00-18:00 (Last order) The pub offers a small selection of cask ales and is open every day from 12:00-21:00. A small outdoors seating area but on the main-road and I cannot remember any open-fireplace. If you are after a hearty lunch, this is the place to visit. In particular for the fried potatoes and bacon or the schnitzels.

    Make a week-end of it

    There are a multitude of walks in the area, including Darwen Tower, Tockholes, Sunnyhurst, Roddlesworth waterfall and woods, White Coppice, Anglezarke and several waterfalls.

    As much as I appreciate the arrays of walks the area offers, I could not get excited about staying overnight. There are some hotels nearby but I never visited them and thus could not make personal recommendations

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