It is said that when James 1st (6th of Scotland) feasted at Hoghton Tower during a royal progress he was so pleased with the side of beef he was served that he knighted the remains "Sir Loin". Whether this tale is true or whether it is just an example of a 17th century marketing ploy put about by butchers, the fact remains that the impressively situated Hoghton Tower provides lovely vista on this short walk which passes across its drive.
Total distance: 6 Km or 4 miles
Time: 1½ - 2 hours
Start: The route describes a walk from the lay by on the A675. From junction 3 of the M65 turn left, first exit towards Riley Green. The lay by is on the left about 100m from the roundabout. This is far from satisfactory but is unambiguously a place where a car can be parked. More appealing will be the upper parking area near the Boatyard Inn, which is on the right 500m further along. This is generally open during busy weekends during the summer. At other times the lower car park is reserved for customers. Readers are advised to seek permission before leaving their car in this area. If you declare an intention to have refreshment in the pub at the end of the walk it will undoubtedly make matters easier.
Within 100m look for a path on the left
and take it as it crosses fields to bring you to the busy A6061 (Riley Green Switch Road).
Turn left and then right
onto a cinder track leading down towards a handsome property. At the point where the track branches towards the property, go forward through a gate
to follow it down the escarpment, through a ribbon of woodland to reach the River Darwen. On reaching the riverside turn left.
The path soon enters a gorge as the river tumbles over a weir and beneath imposing railway viaduct of the Preston - Blackburn line.
For first visitors to the area this scene will come as a surprise. The path takes you beneath the impressive viaduct and quickly reaches the edge of Hoghton Bottoms. On the aptly named Viaduct Road pass a handsome terrace of mill cottages and after a little over 200m turn left over a stile onto a footpath opposite a three-storey farmhouse. After another stile you will notice a brick igloo which seems to be a well for the farm below.
Where the path forks, take the left branch which will soon bring you to the railway.
Trains pass by with a reasonable degree of frequency on this stretch so take great care crossing it. Through woods you will arrive at the stone boundary wall of the Hoghton Tower estate.
Turn right and keep on the path with the wall on your left as it crosses fields with an open aspect. Indeed the views here are extensive and on a clear day you will have no difficulty in picking out Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium and other less hallowed landmarks. After 600m you will come to a stile next to a five-barred gate.
The lane will take you past some estate cottages and onto the drive of Hoghton Tower itself.
This is one of the most magnificent views in the county. The eye is pulled along and up by the avenue to the castellated outline of the tower. Closer inspection is possible on the numerous days when Hoghton Tower is open to the public. Cross the drive and pass through a metal kissing gate and with the fence on your left follow the track as it leads uphill to a patch of woodland.
Cross a stile and after another keep in the same direction to traverse a wide field to gently drop to a stile that places you on Green Lane.
This quickly brings you to the Royal Oak at Riley Green. Follow the A675 Bolton Road back to the lay by.
The Royal Oak
We lunched The Royal Oak an establishment that we have used before and were very happy to return to.
The Royal Oak is set on a busy road but retains the feel of a country pub. It is well appointed with a nice mix of wood beams, stone, wood panels and carpet.
There is a good menu but we kept things simple with a hot beef and onion barm and chips which was very tasty. The service was prompt, griendly and efficient.
4 cask ales were on offer, all from Thwaites brewery. They were Thwaites Dark Mild(3.3%), Original Bitter(3.6%), Lancaster Bomber(4.4%) and Wainwrights(4.1%). This was the first establishment in which we sampled Wainwrights on a previous visit and we had no hesitation in choosing it again. It is a slightly stronger beer, light smoooth and bitter. A real treat! It might not be a session beer but it is ideal to wash down ones luch!