Tuesday, 2nd October 2012

 

Walk: Bolton-by-Bowland, Bolton Park, Fooden, Gisburn Bridge, Ribble Way
Start Point: Sawley Grid Ref: SD 774 466
Distance: 10.5 miles Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Some sunny spells and a couple of showers Time: 5.25 hours
Comments: This turned out to be an unfortunate choice of walk for today. Crossing many very wet fields I later found out that the area had been under water in the last couple of weeks due to the recent heavy rain. However, I met a lady  who told me some of the history of Bolton Hall and the church in Bolton-by-Bowland - worth a visit when I am not quite so muddy!!! Parts of the walk were quite enjoyable but I was glad to get back onto terra firma for the last section back to the car.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Canada geese congregate in the field . . .

 

next to a swollen River Ribble . . .

 

but this swan has found a peaceful spot

 

The route crosses this field . . .

 

and is quite easy to follow . . .

 

but I'm not sure how successful the crop will be?

 

Holden Beck

 

Remains of an ancient cross . . .

 

is marked on the map

 

Heading into Bolton-by-Bowland these houses . . .

 

show their age . . .

 

and those across the road would seem to be of the same era

 

The village green . . .

 

contains the remains of a 13th Century stone cross and old stocks . . .

 

while the green across the road accommodates a war memorial

 

Autumn has arrived

 

There has been a church in Bolton-by-Bowland as early as 1190 but little is known of it. Parts of the current church date from the 13th century. In the middle of the 15th century Sir Ralph Pudsay , Lord of the Manor of Bolton, began rebuilding the church which was completed about 1466

 

The Lancastrian King Henry VI retreated from the Yorkist army during the Wars of the Roses after his defeat at the Battle of Hexham in 1464. He lived at Bolton Hall, sheltered from his enemies by the then Lord of the Manor and House of Lancaster adherent, Sir Ralph Pudsey. Henry lived at the Hall for a year, prior to his capture and eventual execution at the Tower of London in 1471.

 

The Hall was demolished in the 1950s and the site is now occupied by private mews houses

 

Coronation Oak . . .

 

planted to commemorate the coronation of George V on 22nd June 1911

 

Legend has it that King Henry VI discovered a Spring at Bolton Hall and commissioned a stone wall to surround the well. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, it features a bath-shaped receptacle built into the floor which makes it likely that it was used for bathing as well as drinking water.

 

No mistaking which way to go . .

 

at this stile

 

Pendle Hill has a light covering of cloud

 

Enterprising egg sales

 

A swollen River Ribble from Gisburn Bridge . . .

 

where the steps lead nowhere today

 

'We don't need to worry about muddy boots!'

 

Crossing the trainline near Gisburn Cotes another bridge can be seen . . .

 

as I zoom in . . .

 

and looking back from the second bridge

 

Pendle Hill looks a lot closer now

 

A modern stone circle . . .

 

and Sword in the Stone . . .

 

but another item has been added  . . .

 

to this unusual collection since I was last here . . .

 

and the nearby woods house more weird constructions . . .

 

but how bizarre is this . . .

 

a new use for old shoes!!!!

 

Arriving back in Sawley the depth of the River Ribble . . .

 

is shown on the marker post . . .

 

passed on the way to Sawley Bridge

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