BOLTON

 SMITHILL SMILES   3 Miles (?) but then 😟

SMILERS :- Martin, Danny, Vic, John W, Jim C, Anthony.

Three motorways and three lesser roads took us to Smithills Hall. An imposing mansion with Tudor , Stuart, Georgian and Victorian elements.

Here we are walking up the drive after parking close by. 

On entering this sprawling, fascinating house your writer was struck by the amount of carved wood both on the furniture and the walls.

This carving is a "Rebus" which is apparently a pictorial pun on the subjects name together with their initials . This person was called Barton but I can't remember the punned first name.

We spent quite a while exploring the  extensive interior of the house which was remarkably well preserved and maintained.

 

Guided tours were available but their timings did not suit our day's visit. Well written and clear explanation "Posters, though, were abundant.

This suit of armour and "Pikes" on the wall were among only a few historical artefacts, other than furniture, on display.  

Only one "Upstairs" room , a bedroom , originally called the "Solar" ,was open.

This in no way spoilt our enjoyment of the wonderful house.

When we visited the chapel, rebuilt after a catastrophic fire, the bible was open at JOHN'S page. I thought that was very considerate of them 😉

Other rooms bore testimony to the several different eras of building during the house's history.

After completing our walk round the house we went outside where the enjoyment continued.

Welcome coffees and teas in the neatly laid out and , again, well kept gardens. (thanks Anthony)

And then we set of to explore the surrounding grounds managed by the "Woodland Trust".

But first down a side road which seemed to contain the old Stables which had been greatly extended and developed into an area of extremely desirable residences.

At the end of this road was a farm with a children's play theme. It was VERY busy.

We, however, left the road just before the farm and dropped down into the woodland.

At this point Martin left us to return to the Hall and await our arrival after our walk.

There he is looking over the wall.

Excellent footpaths took us down through the wood to a bridge over a small stream.

Why is Vic leaning to one side ?

Ah....... I see... that tree is about to fall on him.

We did not continue across the bridge but carried  on along our original path.

Some way along the path dropped down to an area littered with large logs (perhaps more like tree trunks)  An ideal spot for lunch.

"Ever Ready" Danny appears about to leap into action again. Not sure why.

Just upstream of our lunching spot the clear water of the stream was joined by a side stream which seems to be polluted with Iron, The water had changed to a rich amber colour.

This gradually cleared as the water flowed onwards through the woods.

Lunch over we continued down the valley.

The path emerged from the woods onto a wide track which led upwards to the children's farm we had passed earlier.

At this point we dropped down into the woods at the point we had used before but this time we did CROSS the bridge and continued the walk back towards the Hall.

No worries for Vic this time. No leaning trees with evil intent.

Once across the bridge the path led upwards through the trees.......

........... before arriving back at the Hall.

A brief rest by the road before we climbed aboard our cars and set off for home.

You will remember the sad face in the opening titles  Here's why .

As we drove uphill through Belmont Village, Martin's car ground to a halt and could not be restarted. This caused quite a traffic jam on the narrow, car lined road, We eventually managed to push it to the side.

With some of our group needing to get back to Preston ( grandchildren to pick up) we reluctantly had to leave Martin to contact the AA. Jim who was in his own car stayed with him and eventually the AA arrived to confirm our suspicions that the CLUTCH had failed. (Only replaced eight months ago !!!!)

With Jim and the AA's help Martin and his car were both returned home to Preston, Well done Jim and the AA.

A good visit and walk but NOT  a good finale.  We await further developments.

So..........   That's not quite all folks

John W