Grindleton
In any season the Ribble Valley rewards the visitor. However in early spring it is particularly lovely.
Start/finish Grindleton village centre close to the Duke of York pub/restaurant.
Fact file
Distance: 11k 7 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Summary: Moderate
Map: OS OL41 The Forest of Bowland.
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Directions. With the Duke of York on your right continue along Buck Street and as the road bends left keep ahead on a drive leading round to a storage depot. Bear left at a green fence
to cross a footbridge Grindleton Brook and climb the steep embankment on the far side. Cross a stone stile on the right
and then immediately after a wooden stile on the left. With the field boundary on the left cross to Green Banks Farm.
Turn right. For the next 1000m approximately 15 minutes keep on this lane as it leads you gently uphill to the large farm complex at White Hall. Here turn left onto a footpath to the left of a farm drive leading to Far House.
The path crosses broad pastures over a succession of stiles to drop into a wooded gully. After a metal gate
cross West Clough Brook and then follow the path up to another farm - Lowcocks.
Here bear left through its yard and at the end of its drive turn right in the direction of Bucks.
Within 150m turn left as the lane divides and passing by Bucks farm.
continue on a track that curves right into the adjacent field.
Now on a bridleway go through a wooden gate into woodland
and follow the track as it drops to ford Drakehouse Brook
before climbing the far side. Briefly head south that is with the valley on your left and then locate a metal gate on the right.
From here cross the next two pastures diagonally right to arrive on Moor Lane.
Turn right and then almost immediately turn left onto a farm track leading towards Seedalls Farm.
Keep on this bridleway for 700m as it passes Seedalls and then the many upgraded properties close to Cuttock Clough Farm.
Follow the farm road across a bridge and then as it reaches Mill Farm turn left in front of the house
to follow a footpath that bends first to the left and then the right to reach a footbridge behind the property.
Cross this and climb up to the edge of the woods. This path leads down to Waddington staying close to the woods on the right.
After 800m keep to the right of an enclosed reservoir as the way reaches Feazor Farm. When you reach the farm track
the right of way is regained through a stone stile close to the woods.
As you near Waddington the path crosses open fields and after passing three large trees follow the path to the left of the drive of Waddington Almshouses
which will bring you to West Bradford Road on the edge of Waddington.
Waddington is one of Lancashire's loveliest villages and therefore one of Britain's loveliest villages. It is well worth exploring but to continue the route turn left onto West Bradford Road.
Using pavement and pedestrian path
continue past the school and then crossing the road at the bend go through property's yard (undergoing major renovation at the time of writing) take a footpath on the far side.
Turn left and after an enclosed section reach open fields. The aim now is to reach the banks of the River Ribble. Ahead bear right aiming for the large cement works near Clitheroe.
The path crosses two stiles to reach the lip of a depression (presumably created by extraction).
Cross this and follow the path over two large fields.
As you reach the hedge line in the second cross a stile on the left
and then go through a metal gate on the right to reach the riverside path close to Bradford Bridge.
Turn left and as you reach the bridge turn left again onto Clitheroe Road.
Continue for 200m and then turn right onto a footpath
that soon puts you back on the river bank.
For the next 30 minutes enjoy the companionship of the river. As you near Grindleton turn left
on a path that brings you to the edge of the village at Pendle View.
Turn right and then left for the centre of the village.