A riverside ramble in Ribble Valley

About this walk

Parking up at The Coach and Horses situated in the Ribble Valley, this 3 mile circular walk is perfect for blowing off the cobwebs and venturing out for an hour or so.

The walk is dog-friendly, but please note that there will be livestock grazing in the multiple fields you go through, so keeping them under control (ideally on a lead) is essential.

This route takes you through multiple fields and these can be very boggy, especially during the winter.

The route

Following walking up Pendle Hill, we had booked a nights stay at The Coach and Horses in Bolton-by-Bowland. Whilst having a pint in their beautiful bar that evening following a delicious, locally sourced tasting menu, a member of staff mentioned there was a nice easy 3 mile circular walk on the doorstep we could do the following morning. We all know that the Ribble Valley offers plenty of fantastic longer walks, but after a night of lots of food and drink, this was the perfect fit for us.

I had a look over the map, and decided it would be the perfect way to start off a Sunday morning after a hearty breakfast.

(1) Leaving The Coach and Horses, we took a right and crossed a small bridge following the road past the parish church which is on the left. A little further along, take a right turn up a private driveway marked King Henry Mews.

(2) Continue along the drive through an avenue of trees and over a stone bridge. On a clear day, as you pass the dramatic stone outcrop on the right, you should get a clear view of Pendle Hill. Further along, pass the stile beside the cattle grid, and then keep left.

(3) As you reach the cottages to your right, take a left at the last cottage up a rough stone track. Soon you reach a converted barn, and there is a kissing gate to your left. Go through the kissing gate and follow the way-markers across the field to the next kissing gate.

(4) After going through the kissing gate, continue across the field to a footbridge which is just to the right side of a concrete shed. Cross over the footbridge and continue straight ahead – you will note a stumpy tree to your left.

(5) As you reach the other side of the field, there is a gate to your left with a fenced off plantation of young trees. After passing through the gate, the path rises slightly with the River Ribble to your right.

(6) Head through the next kissing gate and follow the path along the edge of the field to yet another kissing gate. Heading towards Food Farm (keep the hedge to your right), and as you approach the first cottage, head through the kissing gate to your right.

Follow the path around the barn and left to the next kissing gate and down some steps. Continue left and up the track to the green gate, which is located between two sheds.

(7) After going through the gate, bear right across the field to the next kissing gate and then through the next field to another kissing gate. Continue into the larger field to the kissing gate in the top right corner of the field.

(8) Heading through the kissing gate continue down the hill, bear slightly left which leads you to the next kissing gate. Through here follow the line of what appears to be an old ditch, which also brings you past a line of old oak trees and to the final gate at the road.

(9) Go through the gate and continue in the same direction, following the road back towards the village. Take good care on the road as there are a few bends to contend with, so ensure you are clearly visible to all traffic. You will soon pass the village graveyard on the right, and then the school and village green.

(10) Shortly after, you will pass the very start of your walk, and then reach The Coach and Horses, which is a perfect stop for a drink or something to eat.

If you are staying for a night or two, Ribble Valley offers so much to see and do and it is well worth exploring. We would suggest checking out the Forest of Bowland (Area Of National Beauty) page for suggestions