The Tolkien Trail website has – “Tolkien Trail famous ‘Middle Earth’ walk: People come from all over the world to walk the famous Tolkien Trail. To follow in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien himself, for seven and a half miles, and see how he was inspired by the beautiful landscape of Lancashire. Immerse yourself in this wonderful part of the countryside.” That may be so but we didn’t meet another soul today from any part of the world.
I was never into fantasy fiction but I love the scenic Ribble Valley for its own sake. That is why I keep coming back to walks around Hurst Green and the Rivers Hodder and Ribble. So here we are again, in Hurst Green on a quiet Friday morning, with the temperature hovering around zero. Mike is always on the lookout for easy walks of about 4 miles suitable for his walking group, preferably starting at and finishing at a pub. This is my latest suggestion. We are parked outside the Bailey Arms, presently unoccupied, but the thriving Shireburn Arms is only a stone’s throw away. We follow lanes out of the village towards Stonyhurst College, through its grounds down to the River Ribble where we pick up the Tolkien Trail back to Hurst Green. A pleasant varied 4 miles.
Here are a few pictures…
Will they ever reopen?
Alms Houses, worth a picture every time.
The spooky cemetery.
The Statue of Our Lady, Mary, also known as ‘Our Lady of the Avenue’ was installed in 1882.
The iconic college view.
A winter’s scene.
What is this tree with all the low untidy growth?
Imposing! How much per term these days?
St. Peter’s.
Exploring off-piste. The former Fives Courts. There are not many left in the country, due for renovation.
And a house for bats next door.
Down past Cross Gill Farm towards the river.
A snowy Pendle dominates the Ribble Valley.
The elusive historic cross.
Hobbit Hill, a ‘bespoke wedding venue’ cashing in on the Tolkien theme.
On the Trail.
Reused Astro turf – lovely to walk on, every trail should be carpeted with it.
The Victorian aqueduct bridge.
The deep ravine below Hurst Green.
A lot of work has gone into the trail recently, this was an eroded mess before.
Top class.
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I have walked Lancashire’s ‘famous’ Tolkien Trail and it is a lovely, varied, interesting walk. Tolkien’s stay at Stonyhurst is a matter of fact. Whether it inspired anything to do with hobbits, Middle Earth, or anything else is another matter. It may have done. But, personally, I think the trail is a marketing stunt by Visit Lancashire (or whatever). That doesn’t detract from the walk, or your amazingly beautiful photos!
I agree with you about the tourism.
I like the shot of the cemetery gates and path, it looks intriguing rather than spooky, and the ‘winter’s scene’ view of the college is lovely.
I am trying to find out more about the graves and the Mausoleum in the cemetery.
The view to the college is always worth a picture.
I too don’t take to fantasy fiction and have not read Tolkien. Neither have I read Harry Potter. Oddly though, one of the most influential, powerful and well written books I have ever read (Slaughterhouse Five – Kurt Vonnegut – 1972) does contain an element of fantasy but used very cleverly as a tool by Kurt.
Good to see you getting out into so much of your varied and stunning countryside not too far from home. I am still nursing the wound rear of my ankle, or rather the GP’s nurse is nursing the wound weekly. Progress is steady but I don’t want to go off and walk and mess it up so I stay around also awaiting being able to drive again after the eye op, although I am sure that is possible now but I’ll leave it until I have the need. So I’ll continue to read your super posts with some envy.
Your eye must be improving if you can read my rubbish.
I never meet anyone on this trail when I do it midweek, but I’m guessing it’s crazy busy at the weekends. I noticed the astroturf sections have been growing – an excellent way of recycling it. So,… the Bailey is still closed.
Not a big fan of fantasy myself, either, though I did enjoy the Lord of the Rings, and find Tolkien an interesting character. I tried Harry Potter, but didn’t get past the first page. Each to his own.
There is a good mile or so of the astroturf strip now, complete with line markings. Its made a big difference to the erosion on the path..
Ihad noidea Tolkein was inspired by the Ribble Valley. I thought Middle Earth was all in the midlands. Or these days New Zealand.
Nobody is sure of Tolkien’s inspirations, most was completely his own imaginary world. But it’s good for tourism!
I walked the trail almost 20 years ago with a reluctant with a reluctant early teenage daughter supposedly practicing for her DofE expedition. It must have been not long after it wasfirst dreamed up. I haven’t been up thatway much since, although parked up in Hurst Green for a walk up Longridge Fell and back via Stoneyhurst. It is lovely, very English countryside.
Time you payed a revisit to the revamped ‘Tolkien Trail’, but come mid week.
Oh, yes, most definitely!
I do love that walk and it’s good to do in all seasons too. 🙂
It seemed even better with the AstroTurf