More prosaically the Hesketh family of Rufford Hall realised the potential of a drained lake to create a vast prairie of arable land blessed by a rich soil to create was has become Lancashire's larder. Today the area is criss crossed with ditches and channels much in the same way as East Anglia and Holland. Indeed Dutch know how was imported in the 17th century to kick start the drainage process. By the mid 19th century great strides were made with the use of steam powered pumping stations.
The walk described takes you through this artificial landscape to the east of Rufford across Mawdesley Moss to Croston and back along the channelled River Douglas.
Distance: 7 Miles 11k
Grade: Easy
Directions.
crossing the canal passing St Mary's Marina and Fettlers Wharf on your right. Continue over the level crossing and then the River Douglas on Meadow Lane. Keep on the lane as it bends to the right. In a little under 200 yards turn left
onto a footpath that edges along a field with a watercourse to the right. Bear slightly right at the end of the field
to enter open prairie with a watercourse to the right. Keep ahead below pylons and then after ¼ mile turn right
briefly onto a farm track and then just before a bridge turn left on a footpath next to New Reed Brook. Keep on this for ½ mile
passing a stretch of woodland on the right until you arrive at a substantial farm track that is Gales Lane.
Turn left.
as the lane swings left towards Moss House. Ahead is Mawdesley Moss
with three impressive wind turbines.
I have mixed feelings about wind turbines. Although a vital tool in helping to control carbon emissions they do have a detrimental affect on birdlife. Also the way government planners feel that northern hills are at their disposal for rolling out this technology is irksome - windfarms in large numbers are blots on the landscape. Having said all that I find this trio of turbines rather aesthetically pleasing. They enhance the unvaried flatness of the moss with their majesty. The track now prone to puddles and mud passes these to the left. After wooden gate posts
maintain the line of travel on a rutted track until you arrive on lane close to Sumner's Farm.
Turn right and almost immediately follow the lane left into Carr Lane. This will take you into Croston.
The way back to Rufford starts at the pack-horse bridge. Assuming you have spent some while exploring the delights of Croston cross the bridge and turn right into the Hilloocks
following the road road past a large barn onto Turflands. Turn right to reach Drinkhouse Road.
Turn left following the road as it bends to the right where Drinkhouse Road becomes Drinkhouse Lane. At its end turn left onto a farm track that is Moss lane. After ¼ mile turn into Finney Lane on the right.
Keep on this as it crosses the railway line
and continues to a junction
at the start of Shepherd's Lane. Bear right cross a bridge
to reach the A581 Southport Road. Turn left to cross the River Douglas over Great hanging Bridge and then turn immediately left onto the embankment of said river.
Follow the footpath and river back to Croston. The only complication being when you pass below the rail bridge in order to access the road.
Once on the road turn right for your starting point.