Midge Walkers

Walk No.  168

Riley Green/ Hoghton Bottoms  4-6-23

On a very warm day, the 16 participating athletes, wearing summer attire, set off from bridge No 91 on the Leeds Liverpool Canal adjacent to the derelict Boatyard site now in the process of reconstruction. Taking the route along the towpath, with the canal to our right, passing moored barges and swans with their signets streaming behind, Canadian Geese with their fluffy goslings adding to the serenity of the scene and then a Leisure Cruiser returning to the marina. Passing under the M65 Motorway and bridge 92, we continued to a point just prior to bridge 93 where we did a sharp hairpin turn to the left to descend to an open area which had been the site of the former Star and Sun Paper Mills. Operating from 1875 to 2008 the large expanse of land now lays bare and we emerged on to the A674 Moulden Brow at Feniscowles.

Turning left and passing a block of terraced houses, we branched right up an unmade track, arriving at a gate to the left. Following the route through a couple of linked fields led us into a wooded area and by descending a narrow path over several gulley’s brought us in to a secluded valley bordered on the one side by trees and on the other by the River Darwen. Making our way across this open space, we followed the path along the river bank keeping the water to our right. Passing a point which had clearly become an assembly point for many families anxious to avail themselves of the combination of the cool water and good weather, for a picnic. Continuing to a waterfall at Houghton Bottoms, constructed to provide water for the nearby cotton mills of the day, here we paused for our refreshment break.

Suitably revived, we continued along the river bank and soon encountered the impressive and massive site of the 3-arch 116ft high viaduct, built to carry the Blackburn and Preston railway over the River Darwen. The construction took 18 months, from laying the first stone in December 1844. Various stonemason’s marks were pointed out to us in the construction, being the marks by which the craftsmen received their wages. Further along the path we emerged into a small group of properties, where we branched to the left climbing a steady incline until reaching the rail line on our left. Following this we arrived at Chapel Lane, at a point opposite the Wesleyan Chapel built in 1794, and now in the process of being converted for domestic accommodation. Unfortunately, the garden will remain undisturbed as a graveyard.

Crossing the adjacent bridge, and walking down the path at the opposite side of the rail line brought us to a stile where we turned right, walking around one of the outer perimeter walls of Houghton Towers until arriving at the main drive where we paused for a group photograph. Further progress took us up a slope and across 3 fields linked by gates to a final stile and on to a drive to pass the Royal Oak Pub on our left. Crossing the Blackburn Old Rd, we walked into Bolton Rd to return to our vehicles.

The last time this walk was undertaken was August 2015 and there can be no doubt that the 5 miles completed, coupled with best of the weather and the views, was well worth the effort and enjoyed by all.