As one drives along the M61 between Chorley and Bolton, one can’t miss that breast-like prominence on the slopes of Winter Hill—Rivington Pike.
That is our objective today, yet another sunny autumn day as we approach November. I meet up with the ‘Rockman’ from Bolton, one of my long-time climbing partners. We don’t get together often enough, so we have a lot of catching up to do, combined with the walk.
Coffee at his house is welcome. Poppy, his Airedale, is getting too old for long walks, so she is left at home. I let the Rockman drive his local lanes to Rivington. The carparks are packed, with cars everywhere along the roadside. Of course, it is half-term. We squeeze in near GoApe, of which the Rockman is a veteran star within his family. 
The Lower Cruck Barn is busy feeding the masses. The rockman buys a piece of flapjack, which goes into my rucksack for him later.
Our walk up to the Pike is in the grounds previously owned by Lord Leverhulme, the soap magnate. He, along with T H Mawson, the landscape architect, developed the hillside into the Terraced Gardens
I am feeling lazy, and rather than detailing the historical background to the area, I would recommend reading the two links I’ve pasted above. That leaves me free to just describe the walk.
After a short way up the main avenue, we leave most of the crowds to walk a quieter path through the trees southeastwards. Gently gaining height, we chat away as more energetic dog walkers overtake us. Have you noticed that when the sun is shining, people are generally more sociable? Fallen leaves cover the path, creating an eerie atmosphere.
We double back on ourselves several times, always taking the easiest gradient. A half-hidden water trough reminds us that horse-drawn carriages would have used these lanes. 
As height is gained, the West Lancashire plains are revealed. Rivington reservoir shines out below. 
The summit of the pike comes into view, but we still have a fair bit of climbing to do.
On reaching the top, we realise there is a strong, cold wind blowing from the west. Sheltered spaces in the lee of the tower are all taken, so we opt for a bench in the open. 
The current tower was built in 1732. There had been an older, wooden beacon on the same spot. The tower was made of stone from Liverpool, and the workers were paid in ale. The foundations of the tower are older stones; in the photo below, these stones are now visible due to erosion. The tower was constructed for John Andrews, a solicitor in Bolton and owner of the Rivington estate. It was built as a hunting lodge, featuring a square room with a fireplace and a cellar.
A passing mountain biker stops for a chat, a youngster who lives at the base of the hill. It is refreshing to find a teenager who obviously enjoys adventures in the outdoors and has the scars to prove it. Maybe because I am engrossed, I virtually forget to take any photos of the scenes around us. The coast is certainly in view. We move on when our hands begin to freeze in the cold wind. He overtakes us later.
Down the steep steps we go, against the tide of families climbing up them. This is the way most people come; we are glad of our more circuitous, less strenuous and certainly quieter route.
Looking back up to the tower.
And there across the moor is our next objective – the Pigeon Tower. 
The adjoining wall was built to house white doves.
This was Lady Leverhulme’s hideaway. Read about it here.
There are steps, walls, grottos and follies everywhere, all meticulously carved in the local gristone. Mawson’s masterpiece, Leverhulme’s money. 
We follow our noses down the various ways. 
This is just a glimpse into the terraced gardens, just go and lose yourself in them..
We emerge onto an avenue taking us down to the Higher Rivington Barn, now a wedding and functions venue. The adjacent Rivington Hall is far more impressive.
We are on the last leg to the Lower Barn, where the car is parked.
An autumn afternoon to be savoured.
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Thanks to Martin at https://phreerunner.blogspot.com/ for my header photo.
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That’s a nice outing BC. We fairly recently did something similar, trying to cover all the paths and features in the recently restored (ongoing) terraced gardens.
Did you spot your photograph?
They have uncovered so much in the terraced gardens.
Couldn’t miss it BC!
Thanks, just what I needed.
Driving back on the motorway, I was tempted to take a one-handed photo of the Pike.
BC
A good walk round an area I know well BC. At least your day was better than when I was up there just a couple of weeks ago, it was as misty as hell then. It was beautifully clear and sunny here but as I drove over from Belmont village the visibility became dire. I didn’t go up to the Pike, just stayed around the gardens which weren’t too bad but my photos were very dull.
We were lucky with the sunshine; fantastic views from up there. Can’t believe how busy it was.
The terraced gardens look wonderful. My sort of place to explore.
There is so much more than our brief visit.
Next time you are on the motorway call in.
A nice afternoon walk. At least you had better visibility than we had.
The weather was perfect, thw whole of the west Lnacashire area visible.
Just had laser treatment on eye number 1. Your photos look better than ever – terrific colour and sharpness. And I have am appointment for the other eye on 24th November. Happy days.
Your tower workers paid in ale made me think.
In present day terms let’s say an eight hour day at a modest £15/hour. That is £120.00. At a a fiver a pint that would be 24 pints! It’s a wonder the building was ever completed.
I’m pleased the laser is working; I hope the surgeon wasn’t paid in ale.
You got a good day for it by the looks
Perfect. It was crowded though with half term, I didn’t realise the area was so popular.
Always busy at half term. But get away from the towers and it’s much quieter. Next time you’re up there, if it’s not too boggy (a rare occurrence ) try the walk from the tower to Noon hill across the moor. Not advisable at the moment, though. You need a dry spell or hard frost .
Thanks.
Rivington is always busy, but there’s loads of parking. Good for MTBs as well as walking.
How did I miss this one? WordPress keeps hiding posts from me. You had a cracking day there, though looking cold. And a good route up the pike – always a bit quieter the back way. I don’t know that horse trough – always something different – I shall keep a look out for it next time I’m up there.