On a morning that began quite blustery and rainy, 10 of us met at Longridge for the start of this 10 miles Tuesday walk. Gareth, our leader for the day, told us that it was going to be a bit of a historical walk with several things of interest to see en-route. After going through John Smith’s playing fields we came to one of the entrances to the old railway line which used to transport stone from the quarry (which is now a Haven holiday park) to Preston.

Continuing down a footpath alongside Spade Mill reservoir, we made our way through fields, passing 17^th century Buckley Hall, Ashmoor House and Boyces farm, to arrive at The Church of St. Saviour , The Holy House of Stydd. Records show that this church was in existence in 1136 and was once a large hospice for the care and shelter of pilgrims and lepers. It is a simple, peaceful building which is today still well used as a place of worship. Making our way into Ribchester we passed the old Almshouses with their ancient well before visiting the site of the old Roman bath house. Dinner was taken in a lovely, sunny spot on benches alongside the River Ribble.

Before picking up the Ribble Way we went to see the Old Granary at St. Wilfrid’s Church. Following the river for a couple of miles we passed Hothersall Hall which today is used by Lancashire County Council as an outdoor activity centre for schoolchildren. A steep pull up Hothersall Lane came next before turning left  and crossing a couple of fields with long grass to a footbridge and up the very overgrown banking opposite. Fortunately for us, Gareth had brought his secateurs and was able to cut the worst of the brambles down so making it much easier to get through.

Returning into Longridge through some streets to Stonebridge, we picked up the other end of the Longridge to Preston railway line which has been made into an excellent footpath leading to the old railway station, now a café and information centre, arriving back at the cars at 2.20pm. The walk was interesting and varied and the weather improved as the day went on becoming quite warm and sunny.

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