The Hodder at Stonyhurst
The lovely waters of the Hodder were an inspiration to the19th century poet Gerald Manley Hopkins who taught at Stonyhurst College, the Catholic public school founded by the Jesuits. Even in winter this walk, that follows the river almost to its confluence with the Ribble, is one to guarantee enjoyment - especially when the first snowdrops burst through with their promise of spring.
Start: Quarry car park, close to Birdy Brow on Clitheroe Old Road, near Chaigley. From junction 31a M6 follow signs for Longridge. On B6243 bear right at mini roundabout towards Clitheroe and Ribchester. Beyond St Cecilia's High School turn left opposite church into town centre. Follow sign for Jeffrey Hill straight ahead as main street bears right down the hill. Where the road forks keep right. In 3k 2m reach cross roads at Newdrop Inn. Go straight across and continue for almost three miles. The car park is on the right just as the road drops steeply to Higher Hodder Bridge.
Factfile: Distance: 9k 5 ½ m
Time: 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours
Summary: Moderate. From the college there is a steady climb back to the car park. At this time of year some parts of the walk may be very muddy indeed.
Map: OS OL Explorer 286 Blackpool & Preston
Directions: Continue along the road descending quite steeply at first for 400m.
Turn right at a metal gate and follow the line of the left pointing waymark sign.
At first follow the line of an old fence and ten branch right for a gate leading out onto a farm road.
Turn right.
Follow the road as it bends to the left towards Rhyddings Farm and then turn right to cross a stile and drop through a meadow to gain the riverside path close to a wooden footbridge.
For the next 2k or approxiamately 30 minutes follow the riverside path to Lower Hodder Bridge. At first it weaves its way through woodland crossing two more wooden footbridges before climbing up to a stone cross
and then dropping to a wide track.
On firmer footing this crosses a stone bridge
and ascends to the grand property of Hodder Place.
Keep ahead on the track with the river on your left and open fields on the right and the way clear to Lower Bridge.
When you reach the road it is worth crossing to view the old bridge here - known locally as Cromwell's Bridge as it is thought to been used by Cromwell's army when it pounced on the hapless Royalists at Preston.
Turn right at the road walk up Whalley Road. Ignore the first footpath on the rightbut take the second as the road levels out. After a wooden gate the path (not easy to make out) crosses a field to Knowles Brow.
Turn right. Keep on this lane for 500m and then as you reach as cluster of handsome houses turn left towards Hall Barn Farm.
The track leads down to the farm with the main college buildings to the right.
Keep ahead to a junction of tracks on the edge of playing fields. Turn right. At the time of writing the college has an extensive building programme. Diversion maybe necessary.
As you approach the chapel turn left through a gate and follow the path as it edges right to a corner of Fox Fall Wood.
The path continues up a slight rise to a metal kissing gate.
Keep ahead over the next three fields to arrive at Shireburn Cottages on the edge of Hurst Green.
There are three pubs in Hurst Green and if you have never visited this charming village before it is well worthwhile making a short diversion to the Almshouses.
To continue the route turn right and enter the grounds of Stonyhurst College again.
This is the best approach for soon you'll be on one of the finest drives in Britain. It will not fail to impress you - yours for free; others pay thousands of pounds a year for their children to have this privilege. (They do get a little more besides.)
Follow the drive down past the playing fields and turn left following the road towards the golf club.
300M after the golf club turn left at the junction and walk up the lane. After Stockbridge Cottages and besides a barn turn right onto a footpath and leads across fields to Fell Side Farm House. At a metal gate keep ahead along an improving track. After passing attractive properties on left and right the track reaches Clitheroe Old Road.
Turn left up Birdy Brow to return to the car park.