Strenuous Leader : Carole Distance : 10 miles
This is the much delayed walk planned originally for 2018, which didn’t go ahead for memorable reasons. IYKYK.
Today we visit The Shire in search of Hobbits. From Hurst Green we go through Higher Deer House, Stock Bridge and Fell Side Farm to climb onto Longridge Fell (the highest point of the walk 306m, 1004ft) for some great views. Then Kemple End, on to admire the splendour of Stonyhurst College and then Lower Hodder Bridge. From here we follow the Ribble Way and Tolkien Trail back to Hurst Green, braving rampaging sheep on the way!!!
Moderate Leader: Laura Distance : 7 miles
Starting from the Memorial Hall, we pass the almhouses and down Smithy Row. We continue on the footpaths over pastures alongside the Stonyhurst College, then follow estate track at Hall Barn Farm to Woodlands. We have excellent views of Pendle Hill.
We continue through Over Hacking Wood and descend 119 steps down followed by an ascent. We take the riverside tracks alongside River Hodder and emerge near the Cromwell’s Bridge. We follow footpaths over pastures to Winkley Hall Farm and resume good tracks alongside the River Ribble to a woodland, uphill, then head back to Hurst Green.
Maximum height about 270 metres elevation. The tracks are really good, no stiles but a couple of fields containing sheep. Please be aware and careful at lambing.
Easy Leader: Pamela Distance: 5 ½ miles
We will leave Hurst Green and head down to the River Ribble for views of the aqueduct and Jumbles Rocks. We will continue on the Ribble Way past Winckley Hall Farm and Spring Wood until we turn back via St Mary’s Hall and Stoneyhurst College. We will pass the Observatories in the college grounds before returning to Hurst Green.
NOTES ON THE AREA
Hurst Green is a small village in the Ribble Valley district of Lancashire, England, connected in its history to the Jesuit school, Stonyhurst College. The village is 5 miles (8 km) from Longridge and 4 miles (6 km) from Clitheroe, and is close to the River Ribble, near its junction with the River Hodder.
With the founding of Stonyhurst Hall, by Richard Shireburn in 1592, the hamlet of Hurst Green (about a mile away) began to develop, as often happened after the building of manor houses. The hamlet’s development continued once the college was founded in 1794, and by the early 20th century the village was about the size it is now (approximately 500 residents).
There is a distinctivewar memorial to the First and Second World Wars bearing the names of soldiers from the area who died. This is situated near the village green. At the other side of the green stands St Peter’s Guild Club, a Catholic social club which has existed for well over 200 years.
Shireburn donated the impressive and distinctive almshouses to the village. These almshouses were originally on Longridge Fell but moved to Avenue Road.
The presence of at least two old bobbin mills bear witness to the small cotton industry that existed here. However, Hurst Green is a community now mainly based on farming and tourism – with some people working at the local college and many more commuting to local towns.
In the 1970s the village had three shops, but these have closed over the last few years. However, as of 2021 there is a village cafe, Millie’s, open from Tuesday-Sunday which provides meals and has a small grocery section. There is a large village hall, St Peter’s Catholic Church at Stonyhurst College, the Anglican church of St. John the Evangelist, village pubs, St Peter’s Guild Club and the local football club.
In the village is St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School. The school has a strong Jesuit tradition; it was founded by Richard Shireburn and is under the aegis of the Diocese of Salford whilst being maintained by Lancashire County Council. It is a feeder school for St Augustine’s RC High School, Billington and St Cecilia’s RC High School, Longridge. The school teaches boys and girls from the ages of 5 to 11 years old. Within it is a pre-school that takes children from the ages of 3 to 5 years old. It is reputed to be the oldest and smallest Jesuit school in the UK.
The village has a hotel and public house called the Shireburn, named after the Shireburn family.
Will Greenwood – England World Cup winning rugby union player was brought up on Smithy Row, Hurst Green, by Sue and Dick Greenwood; the latter was also an England rugby international.