Thursday, 10th September 2009
| Walk: | Ribchester, Alston reservoirs, Ribchester Hospital, Duddel Hill, Stydd | ||
| Start Point: | Ribchester car park (near Roman Bath House) | Grid Ref: | SD 652 352 |
| Distance: | 11.5 miles | Ascent: | 700 feet |
| Weather: | Mainly sunny with hardly a breeze | ||
| Accompanied by: |
On my own |
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| Comments: | Extended walk 24 from Curious Lancashire
Walks. After a cold night the long grass in the fields grass was laden with due so it wasn't long before my socks were rather wet! Much of the route across to the reservoirs was over rough ground so I changed the route to walk alongside the road for a short time. After this the terrain was much improved. Navigation was not always straightforward and some farms had rather mucky areas to be traversed. The latter part of the route was by far the best and had the added interest of St Saviour's Church and the almshouses at Stydd. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Remains of the Roman Bath House
The Ribble Way takes to the road at Ribchester . . .
and a swan enjoys the early morning sunshine
Saint Wilfrid's Church is one of the most picturesque in the Ribble Valley. It stands by the River Ribble on what was the centre of the Roman Fort. It is believed to have been founded by Saint Wilfrid in the 8th Century
The route continues through fields alongside the snaking River Ribble
Hothersall Hall was the residence of the ancient Hothersall family, the Lords of the Manor of Ribchester, before the Norman invasion (1066). The present Hothersall Hall was completed in 1856 and was built in the gothic style. In April 1998, Hothersall Hall was purchased by Simon and Michelle Watts. The hall was in a dilapidated state and an extensive restoration project was undertaken over two years to modernise the hall whilst retaining character and reinstating original period features. The restoration was completed for the new millennium and the hall is now enjoyed as the private residence of Simon Watts, his wife Michelle and their two children, Jonathan and Emma.
As workmen were busy within the boundaries of the reservoir . . .
I was allowed access to the rim of the reservoir . . .
from where I could see Winter Hill, Darwen Tower - and Longridge
Lower College Farm provided good directions through their grounds
Keeping out of the midday sun - the oak tree provides shelter for the sheep
St Saviour's is a small Medieval Church founded in 1136 by the Knights Hospitallers
The font is C16 and is octagonal with shields and crude carvings on each face.
The pulpit is raised on a rough stone base, and is C17 with plain panelling. Above, the tester is made of fabric in a light wooden framework. The screen is also C17.
The building that stands today is a nave and chancel in one, with a south porch. Restored in 1925, it re-opened on September 12th of that year.
The almshouses were constructed in 1728 under the terms of John Shireburne's will. He instructed that he wished to found and build "a good almshouse on his estate at Stydd for 5 poor persons to live separately therein". The resulting building is an unusual amalgam of styles and survives unchanged to this day.
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