Hoghton - Feniscowles

Hoghton Tower

This was an excellent walk in almost perfect weather! Starting from the B5256 at Riley Green, we left the main road at the Royal Oak pub. The route took us along what was the original driveway to Hoghton Tower. We crossed the current main drive, pausing by the gatehouse for the view up to the tower.

We continued through a picturesque autumnal woodland, pausing for 'morning coffee' before proceeding down to Hoghton Bottoms. We joined the River Derwent at the most magnificent railway viaduct taking the Preston - Blackburn line over the gorge through which the river flowed.

We followed the Derwent, pausing briefly to view a cascading weir. Lunch was taken whilst basking in glorious sunshine before arriving at Feniscowles.  Here our route took us through the derelict grounds of a former paper mill. This was not somewhere where you would expect a fleeting young deer to cross your path - but it did! Blink and you missed it!

Our route then took us over the Leeds Liverpool canal and under the M65 motorway. This was where 'Swampy' and his 'eco warrior' friends tried to prevent the extension of the motorway between Burnley and Preston in 1997.

We continued through Stanworth Farm and Ollerton Fold and after a brief stop for 'afternoon tea', we rejoined the canal and a field track returning to where we had parked. (Total: 7 miles)

Morning Coffee site