Hurst Green Walks - Circular to Stonyhurst
This Lancashire based village is located in the Ribble Valley near to a noteworthy educational institution and some lovely countryside.
This circular walk from the village visits Stonyhurst College before picking up a riverside trail along the River Ribble.
The walk starts in the village and follows public footpaths north through the grounds of the historic college which dates back to the 16th century and is Grade I listed. Notable alumni of the college include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes. J. R. R. Tolkien also has strong associations with the area and wrote part of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in the college. Much of this route follows the Tolkien Trail visiting several locations thought to have inspired the books.
To the north of the college you can pick up a riverside path along the River Hodder near Over Hacking Wood. This will lead you south to the old Lower Hodder Bridge where you can take a detour to visit the pretty village of Great Mitton where you could stop at the splendid Mitton Hall Hotel or the Aspinall Arms for a break.
You then retrace your steps and head past Winckley Hall to the point where the Hodder joins with the Ribble. Here you can pick up the Ribble Way and follow it south and then west along the river. At Merrick's Wood you turn north to follow a track back into Hurst Green.
Hurst Green Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Hurst Green Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Hurst Green OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Hurst Green Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Hurst Green
- Tolkien Trail - This literary trail explores an area of the Ribble Valley thought to have inspired some of the landscapes from J.R.R Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy
- Ribble Way - Follow the River Ribble through the beautiful Ribble Valley from its mouth at Longton, near Preston, to the source at Gayle Moor in Yorkshire.
You start at Longton just to the west of Preston and follow the river through Ribchester and Clitheroe, before reaching Gisburn - Clitheroe - Explore the Lancashire town of Clitheroe on this lovely walk in the Ribble Valley
- Ribchester - Enjoy a stroll through the historical Lancashire village of Ribchester before following a section of the Ribble Way to Hothersall
- Sawley - This walk explores the area around the Lancashire village of Sawley, visiting the historic Sawley Abbey and a particularly scenic stretch of the River Ribble.
- Jeffrey Hill - This walk visits the viewpoint at Jeffrey Hill in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire.
- Longridge Fell - Enjoy a walk to the summit of England's most southerley fell on this wonderful circular walk in the Forest of Bowland
- Ribchester - Enjoy a stroll through the historical Lancashire village of Ribchester before following a section of the Ribble Way to Hothersall
- Waddington - This delightful Lancashire village sits on the southern edge of the Forest of Bowland AONB in the beautiful Ribble Valley
- Bolton by Bowland - This delightful Lancashire village is in a great location for exploring the scenery of the lovely Forest of Bowland and Ribble Valley
- Gisburn - The Lancashire village of Gisburn is located in a lovely spot in the Forest of Bowland AONB and the Ribble Valley.
Pubs/Cafes
Back in the village you can enjoy some post exercise relaxation and refreshment at the Shireburn Arms. The pub dates back to the 17th century and includes a charming interior with several original architectural features. They serve high quality food and also provide rooms if you'd like to stay in the area.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Ribble Valley Walks page.
Photos
War Memorial, Hurst Green
Stonyhurst College. A grade 1 listed building founded in 1593. sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a pupil here and it is said that Baskerville Hall is based on Stonyhurst College. He also named Sherlock Holmes' nemesis Moriarty, after a fellow pupil. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote part of The Lord of the Rings here during his stay at the college where his son taught classics. He drew inspiration for "middle-earth" from the local area. Indeed, there is a Shire Lane in the nearby village of Hurst Green.
Memorial in the village to Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts of Kandahar VC KG KP GCB OM GCSI GCIE PC
Observatory Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College lake view.
Bridge in Over Hacking Wood
Fisherman
Calder Foot Pool, River Ribble