Start: The Corporation Arms, Blackburn Road, Longridge.

 

 Readers who would like to follow this walk should make arrangements with the management of the Corporation Arms (Tel: 01772 782644) before using the car park.              

 Fact file: Distance: 10 k 6 miles
                  Time:  2 ½ - 3 hours
                 Summary:  Easy walking mainly across pastureland. Prepare for mud after wet weather.  
               Map: OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette

Directions: From the Corporation Arms cross the junction to follow the B6245 towards Ribchester. 250 metres from the junction turn left onto a footpath leading down to a large property.

When you reach its drive turn right and then left over a stile into a play area adorned with stone figures.

 Cross a stile on the left and then continue with hedgerow on your right to a muddy corner and a wooden gate.

 For the next 1500m/mile maintain this direction. After two stiles

continue on a farm track leading down the B6245.

Cross the lane to a wooden gate next to cottages and keep ahead to a stile.

After this turn right and then immediately left over another stile to continue with the hedge on your left. After two large fields go through a metal gate

and turn left to quickly reach the - yep - B6245 again.

Cross the lane to enter the courtyard of Pinfold Farm. Bear left past Pinfold Bungalow and then beyond garages go through a gate on the left and turn right.

With hedgerow on your right cross the next two stiles (the second immersed in tall grass) and continue to a third (close by a tall pole surmounted by a red disc the purpose of which we didn't investigate)

from which the path drops through woodland to a footbridge that crosses Boyce's Brook.

The scene opens out to reveal a charming hidden valley that would make a lovely spot to picnic in summer months.

The way is left up the steep valley side

 and then  maintaining this direction  (north eastish) cross a succession of (four) stiles

 to reach a farm track leading right

and then turning left towards the farm complex of Old Buckley.

 Follow the farm drive down to Stonygate Lane.

Turn right. After a large converted barn turn left onto a path

that soon drops through newly planted woodland to a wooden footbridge.

Over this and bear right to follow the path to a stile

that gives out onto a huge pasture.

After negotiating a boggy brook keep ahead aiming for a stile close to an solitary oak tree.

Over this continue to intercept a farm track where you turn left to reach a large farmyard.

  Past the house walk along the drive towards the lane (B6243)

but 30 metres before joining it turn left and cross to a stile next to a tall oak tree. 

 Continue across the next pasture to a stile close to a metal gate and then bear right in the next field dipping down to cross a footbridge.

The path climbs up to Stonygate Lane.

Turn right and then after 100 metres left over a holly protected stile

and proceed across pastures to reach a recent fence on the left. Follow this to a stile in the field corner

and once over bear right to the far corner

where a track leads right to Kellets Farms. Dog-legging left

 then right onto the lane cross a stile on the left

to enter a field characterised by grassy mounds. Following the ridge of the one before you climb to a stile in the hedgerow

and in the next field keep ahead passing a property on your right to reach a lane.

 Turn left.
After passing the forecourt of a large house

 turn right down a flight of steps close to the ruin of a bobbin mill. Cross a footbridge

 and turn left following the brook on your left to you reach another flight of steps on the left.

Down these and follow the drive to the left and continue along a lane passing Springs Farm.

Soon the path comes close to the brook. Keep ahead to a ford

and then turn right onto the lane and right again though a wooden gate. Cross the field to a kissing gate

 and then keep ahead to emerge onto a lane close by a coach depot. 

Turn right and then left onto a footpath through long metal gates.

  Keep ahead with the field boundary on your left. On reaching an area of recent groundwork

follow the footpath to a stile.

After crossing this turn right to reach another, and then bear left to a muddy corner close to the start of the walk.

Turn right for the Corporation Arms.