After the Walk May 2025
Sunday May 18th. Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom. 3/5 17.5 miles. Leaders: Paul and Jeanette Banks.
19 walkers and Luna the dog met at Slaidburn for the third of the five series of circular walks that complete the 46 mile walk in the Ribble Valley and the Forest-of-Bowland.
The weather was sunny and warm throughout the day again. We continued walking on The Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom long distance path where we left off last Sunday, going as far as Dunsop Bridge. Dunsop Bridge is considered to be the geographical centre of of Great Britain, although the exact point is at Whitendale Hanging Stones, near Brennand Farm, 4.5 miles north of the village. In 1992, BT installed it 100,000th payphone in the village with a plaque to explain its significance.
Here we left the 'Journey' footpath and took alternative footpaths back to the start of our walk at Slaidburn, circumnavigating Beatrix Fell on high level paths and enjoying the beautiful views throughout. A challenging 2,100 foot of ascent over 17.5 miles on a very warm day.
Jeanette
Wednesday May 14th. Tolkein Trails 12 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.
28 walkers which incuded a good contingent from West Lancs, & 3 dogs set off from Marles Wood. A walk along the Ribble took us to a bridge to cross to the north side of the river & along a path to the pretty village of Hurst Green. A quiet road & paths from the village led us to the magnificent Stonyhurst College. This Catholic school provides education for boarding & day pupils & is Grade 1 listed.
Morning break was taken at the top of a hill providing fine views of the surrounding countryside. Lovely paths through farmer's fields ensued & we had an encounter with some lively young cows who were determined to join our walk.
A couple of low walls provided seating for the group at lunchtime. We then our made our way South to the hamlet of Stydd on the outskirts of Ribchester. We had a brief stop there to view St Saviours Church, another grade 1 listed building due to its age & simplicity.
We recrossed the Ribble to the south side & a couple of paths led us back to the cars. Thanks to the many who attended. It was a fine day with great views.
Dave & Alma
Sunday May 11th. Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom. Part 2. 20 miles. Leader: Paul Banks.
24 walkers and 1 dog turned up to complete the second of the series of circular walks to complete the ‘Journey through the Centre of the kingdom’ on a glorious sunny day. The walk was nearly 20 miles in length and 1900 foot of ascent. Clear views were visible throughout the day of the beautiful Ribble Valley.
The second walk continued the Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom from the Bolton-by-Bowland car park through Grindleton and up to Hammerton Hall at Slaidburn. The long distance path was left at this point and alternative paths followed to return to the start point.
A morning break took place at the hamlet of Harrop Fold and lunch enjoyed overlooking Gisburn Forrest. Folk arrived back at cars at 5.15pm.
Jeanette
Thanks to Hedy for the photos below.
Click on the link below for Howard's photos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wwd4as3xv83G32uY8
Wednesday May 7th. Highs and Lowes. 14 miles. Leader: Geoff Halliwell.
Sunday May 4th. Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom - Part 1. 19 miles. Leaders: Paul and Jeanette Banks.
15 walkers and one dog attended the first 19 mnile walk in this series of walks to complete The Journey Through the Centre of the Kingdom on a lovely sunny day.
The walk first took us through Clitheroe town centre and to Clitheroe Castle. It is believed to have been built by the De Lacy family around 1150AD when Clitheroe was an administrative centre for their lands in the Ribble Valley. Only the keep remains.
We crossed the A59 into the ancient village of Pendleton which has been occupied since the Bronze Ages (2500-500BC). It is one of only five villages in the Blackburn area named in the Domesday Book. The walk proceeded along the King's Highway - the main routes of the Medieval period. It connected the settlements of Whalley, Pendleton, Mearley and Downham.
Our first coffee break was enjoyed on Warren Hill, a 13th century breeding ground for rabbits, introduced to Britain by the Normans for meat and fur. Then on to Chatburn where we joined the River Ribble until we reached Sawley, passing the ancient flax retting pools where flax was soaked to remove the tough and woody stalks.
We had lunch in the grounds of Sawley Abbey before a short walk towards Bolton-by-Bowland before leaving the 'Journey through the Centre of the Kingdom' footpath. The walk back to our cars took us on paths through the village of Grindleton and along the River Ribble back to Clitheroe.
Jeanette.
