With the trees almost bare of leaves we saw extra detail today on our stroll out of Hurst Green. Mike had phoned me the night before thinking it could be a dry day, at least in the morning. My knee was painful from Saturday’s walk around the Silverdale area, but I didn’t like to put him off – I have done so several times recently. I picked him up as his car was looking worse for wear after a close encounter with an HGV. He is slowly working his way through the maze of insurance reports.
Parking up opposite the Bayley Arms which is sadly once more deserted and neglected. It is a difficult time for the hospitality trade, but it would appear that it was being poorly managed according to the ubiquitous Tripadvisor. Hurst Green is in the civil parish of Aighton, Bailey and Chaigley. I’m mentioning this because Mike spotted the pub’s alternative name spelling at odds with the ‘official’. The parish is stuffed with listed buildings many associated with Stonyhurst College and estate. The diverse architecture of the area does make it an ideal rambling venue for anyone with a historical interest. I restrain myself from photographing most of the gems passed today, well only a couple. The rest are hidden in my previous posts.
We suspect the Tolkien Trail will be very muddy, and it is becoming overused. So we head in the other direction dropping down to Dean Brook with its remnants of the water powered industries of previous centuries. Bobbin and spindle workings were common hereabouts supplying the flourishing Lancashire cotton mills. Mill races, previous ponds and evidence of damming seem more obvious today in the sunshine. The water is very lively after heavy rain. I used to bring my children and subsequently grandchildren along here, it was a favourite spot for ‘pooh sticks’ launched from the bridge and then followed downstream as far as possible. Today you would not have able to keep pace.
I divert from the path to show Mike the abandoned Sand Quarry which provided the building blocks for much of Hurst Green. I had forgotten how extensive it had been, again everything looked clearer with the bare trees. Years ago Simon and I climbed an exciting route up the middle of the largest rock face using many of the features left by the quarrymen – shot holes and incut slots. It all looked overgrown today – nature slowly taking over.
Onwards we went up the old cart track from the bridge. How many times have I photographed Greengore, an old hunting lodge, but today I found a different angle which highlighted its impressive southern frontage.
Once on the top road we just ambled along catching up on the news, there were few cars to disturb us. Down the lane back to Stonyhurst we passed the well known Pinfold Cross commemorating a worker’s untimely death. Cometh the hour.
And on past what had been the stables for the horse-drawn sledges pulling stone down from Kemple End Quarry, better quality than Sand Rock, to build the college and its houses. You can still follow the line of the sunken track up the fellside. The tumble down barn has been recently restored and upgraded to an upmarket holiday cottage.
We debated which route to take back to the village – go right and stay on the road all the way or continue down and follow a way through Stonyhurst College. We went for the more interesting latter knowing that it would entail a muddy section towards the end.
The college forefront was busy with coaches ferrying pupils around. The main building is under wraps for some restoration but the elaborate finials and roofline of St. Peter’s Church was just waiting to be photographed against the autumn sky. Here is my modest result – only to be approached by ‘security’ to say no photography. Why? Children’s dormitories. What in the church? I hope I don’t offend anybody with my picture.
The muddy stretch has been improved by a short section of tarmacked track on the hill heading into Hurst Green. We entered in by the old smithy and the Almshouses and it started raining as we drove home over the fell Cometh the hour.
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Endless interest in your domain. Changing the subject, did you see North West Tonight? The aerial bucket-way at Claughton brickworks was featured and also a report on the Kirkby Lonsdale villagers trying to raise £1m to sort the footpath to Ruskin’s View, two items you and I have been involved with fairly recently.
Missed the news.
The Ruskin View path is vital to KL but everything is so expensive when the local authorities are strapped for cash.
I wondered why my Claughton post was getting a lot of attention.
I can’t see why anyone would object to your picture of the church, it’s not like you could see in through the windows.
I could never understand why Ruskin’s View is so named – surely it should be Turner’s View as he was the one who saw it and painted it, Ruskin was only the art critic.
Whilst it is undoubtedly a good view I could never understand why Ruskin thought it was hyper-superb. But at the risk of an old cliché, I suppose, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and Ruskin was a bit of an oddball.
Locals used to call it Turner’s View.
Turner sketched the scene in 1816 and Ruskin visited in1875. Locals used to call it Turner’s view.
I’m sure I have a picture of the chapel too. I didn’t think I’d be risking a pile-on by security wombles. I do like the Tolkien trail, but it was looking a bit weary the last time I walked it. Good to have some more alternatives from Hurst Green.
Security all over Stonyhurst these days – they must have some Middle Eastern prince boarding.
Lots of alternatives around Hurst Green. It has taken a battering during the last two years.
Hopefully your knee survived. Stoneyhurst security sounds a bit excessive!
I’ve not been arrested yet.
Knee 50/50, thanks.