LET’S TAKE A WALK…
Bob Clare takes us on a short walk that will introduce you to a lovely reach of the River Ribble with a classic view of Pendle Hill
Great Mitton Circular
Start: Close to the Three Fishes Inn, Great Mitton, opposite Church Lane BB7 9PQ
GR SD 715389
Distance: 4½ miles 6 ½ kilometres
Time: 1½ – 2½ hours
Summary: Mainly flat and easy.
Map: OS OL 41 The Forest of Bowland.
The first part of the walk follows the Ribble Way to Edisford Bridge. With the Three Fishes on your right walk slightly downhill passing the church opposite and the Old Hall. The road leads down to Mitton Bridge which crosses the River Ribble. Cross passing the Aspinall Arms pub and then turn left through a wooden kissing gate.
Follow the field boundary as it leads gently uphill to a stile in a wooden fence. Over this bear left and then after a kissing gate descend to a footbridge to enter a large riverside pasture. Beyond a small service building join a riverside track leading up to a utility bridge spanning the river. Here continue through a wooden gate on a track that soon brings you to Shuttleworth Farm. Keep on through the farm. After the river bends away keep ahead for another 500 yards to reach a junction immediately beyond the woods on the left. Here turn left and then right onto a track a short distance from the junction. Almost immediately go through the kissing gate that leads to an enclosed path. This soon reunites you with the river. The path enters Riverside Park just before Edisford Bridge. Keep ahead through the playground and car park to join Edisford Road (B6243). Turn left.
Now keep firmly to the right side of the road as it climbs up past the Edisford Bridge Inn. Keep on the main road past the junction for Bashall and continue for another 800 yards. Where the road bends sharply right, cross to the drive of a farm.
Turn right onto a farm road. After crossing a stile next to a gate continue on the tarmac to the next gate. At this bear slightly right to cross a stile leading into a large field. Follow the hedge to your left as its leads you across fields by a series of wooden stiles. After the way crosses a culvert the next stile leads into a vast field. Keeping parallel to the hedge on the left cross this and then a short distance beyond a small enclosed pond, turn left at a metal kissing gate onto a path known as Malkin Lane. Keep on it for 300 yards until it brings you onto a quiet lane opposite a house. This is in fact Church Lane. Turn left and you’ll soon arrive in Great Mitton.
Note: The Ribble Way is a long distance path following the river from the sea to its source on a 70-mile trail.
With thanks to Bob Clare and The Crowood Press for permission to use this walk and map from 100 Walks in Lancashire, which is available to buy from booksellers, outdoor shops and online www.crowood.com priced at £10.99.
www.lancashirewalks.com
www.crowood.com
