The weekend saw us head to the Ribble Valley village of Ribchester for a 5.5 circular walk, taking in squelchy fields and country lanes. Ribchester was the site of the Roman fort Bremetennacum and there are ruins of a Roman Bath House in the village. Take your wellies if you do this walk. 😁
We left the village by following the private road to Parsonage farm , where a bridleway took us into waterlogged fields.
After squelching through the fields there was some country lane walking. We kept Hugo on his lead, though we didn’t see any cars. Hothersall Lane eventually joins the Ribble Way.
Hothersall Lane winds its way down to an Outdoor Centre and then Hothersall Hall. Apparently just past the entrance of Hothersall Hall Farm there is a stone head wedged in a tree. But we couldn’t find it!
We climbed uphill to some trees and there were great views over the Ribble.
We followed The Ribble Way back to the village. There are lots of interesting old buildings in Ribchester ,so it’s definitely worth a look around.
It was good to visit a village less than ten miles from home, that we have rarely spent any time before.
Find this walk in Guide to Lancashire Pub Walks by Nick Burton.
sunshine and celandines 
My mum used to go to Ribchester a lot when she was a kid and she would tell me about it but I’ve never been. This looks like a nice walk (in less squelchy conditions!) so I may check it out next summer 🙂
Nice one, it’s an interesting village surrounded by lots of countryside. X
D’you know what? I’m gonna get wrapped up with the doggos and go that same walk tomorrow or Wednesday. Both days are forecast to stay dry and we could all do with having a good wander and blowing out the cobwebs 🙂
Oh good! Have fun. Let me know if you find that stone head wedged in a tree. X
Will do!! 🙂
You familiar with Mellor’ by any chance? I’m headed over there tomorrow to see a man about some land and can’t decide whether to get dropped off so we can walk the route back home.
http://www.lancashireway.com/stage-19/
Hi no I’m not. Thanks for the link though!
Actually scratch that link I’m reading the notes and really laughing at how often it says to disregard this, ignore that and do the other instead.
Christ I’d never be seen again. Missing woman with two dogs. Last seen trying to comprehend that little bit between Mellor and Whalley 😂 I am really bad for getting easily thrown off, taking one wrong turn and becoming hopelessly lost like I’m in “Labyrinth”
Tickled me but what a bizarre thing to read.
“Ignore that sign telling you to go this way and instead go that way.
You will come to a large gap in the wall which has a bright blue sign shaped like a foam finger and reads “This way to Salvation and Glory”
DO NOT TAKE THE PATH THAT LEADS YOU TO SALVATION AND GLORY!! 😂 😂
There is a better route that isn’t as muddy or difficult and it takes you straight into electric fence of savagery.
When you experience the sensation of being in the elbow with a rubber mallet, you have reached the electric fence of savagery.
Stop, have a little drink and some cheese and pickle 🙂
Yeh it does sound pretty complicated. I would definitely get lost. A bad map reader at the best of times! I wouldn’t want to climb over an electric fence either, even if there is a stile. 😅
Lovely. The fields around here are very squelchy as well. X
Looking forward to frosty days. X
Love the autumn wreath. Glad you had a nice walk x
It’s very pretty. Something I would love but never bother to buy. X
Nice write-up for Ribchester. That head is not easy to spot, it is in a tree just before you drop down to Hothersall Hall almost at the end of the farm entrance. SD 631 347. For a picture and to prove it’s there. – https://bowlandclimber.com/2019/11/28/a-lancashire-monastic-way-6-red-scar-to-ribchester/
I’m trying to avoid the squelchy fields at the moment.
Wow well spotted! We just couldn’t see it at all. Yours looks a muddy walk too…
All in a good cause.
Been some years since I’ve visited Ribchester. The kids were small and I remember visiting the little Roman museum and having Sunday dinner in the pub. I also rember an early episode of Time Team where they surveyed a field with one of their geophysics gizmo machines and discovered hidden markings of, surprise, surprise, a football pitch!
Don’t much fancy a squelchy walk through fields at the moment (need to get myself some wellies)
I had heard that Time Team visited. I will have to visit that museum someday…..
The museum is top class but no doubt closed at the moment.
It is for now.
Looks good but, as others have said, the squelchy fields would put me off! We have our fair share of those too.
I’ve taken to lane walking again for the winter months. The odd dart up a tor included but lots on quiet lanes helps to get the miles in. This looks a good walk and I guess is 10 miles is your interpretation of “short drive”? Not easy to work out what they mean, I’ve gone for 30 minutes, but as lots of the driving around here is on lanes and B roads it takes me about 20 miles max from home
I know ,it’s so difficult to work out how far we are allowed to go. I’m thinking 30 mins drive from home is perfectly acceptable. Trying to avoid where we think may be really popular.
I agree, avoiding the popular areas will certainly help and 30 minutes gives me plenty of places to go away from the crowds
I have always wanted to visit Ribchester, looks likely a lovely walk.
Just on catch up.Thanks for taking us along on such a lovely walk. The whole place seems so interesting & full of history & your photos are great. Take care, stay safe & huggles..
Wishing you dry and cheerful for your birthday this weekend 🙂 🙂
Thanks Jo. X
You have to love a place that would put up a sign re: Ducklings Crossing.
Yes, though I wish there had been a row of them crossing. I heard some quacking from behind the hedge though. 🙂