One of Lancashire's most popular trails: 2½ hour walk (6.5 miles).
"53.836,-2.482":"You may have wandered off the Tolkien Trail.
Walk to The Shireburn Arms Hotel then towards the War Memorial in the centre of Hurst Green (opposite Millie's Cafe).
\"Some who wander are lost.\"
","53.839,-2.481":"The Tolkien Trail starts and ends at the War Memorial in the centre of Hurst Green (opposite Millie's Cafe). Please make your way there.
Next message: 0.1 miles (3 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.837,-2.480":"You're approaching the starting point for The Tolkien Trail. Walk to the WAR MEMORIAL near Millie's Cafe. Opposite the memorial is a residential road called WARREN FOLD.
Walk 150 yards along Warren Fold and go through the kissing gate into the field. Follow the path to Stonhurst College.
The War Memorial in the centre of Hurst Green was erected in 1920 and is today inscribed with the names of the dead of both world wars listed under the district of their residence - Aighton, Bailey or Chaigley.
Next message: 0.7 miles (15 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.845,-2.471":"You're approaching STONYHURST COLLEGE and St Peter's Catholic Parish Church, built between 1832 to 1835 and designed by
Joseph John Scoles in the Gothic Revival style.
Go through the metal gate and turn RIGHT. The building near you with the domed roof is the College Observatory (built 1866).
Continue walking along the private road, past the College Jesuit Gardens and through Halls Barn Farm until you reach the junction on the main road (Knowles Brow).
Next message: 0.2 miles (4 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.845,-2.467":"Richard Shireburn inherited the estate at Stonyhurst in 1537. He decided to replace most of the medieval buildings (dating back to 1200 AD) to construct a bigger, grander hall.
Today, Stonyhurst College is the oldest Jesuit school in the world and is a co-educational Catholic school for students aged 3–18. It was founded in 1593 by
Father Robert Persons SJ.
The school's striking campus is said to have a classic \"Harry Potter\" look and was a source of inspiration for J.K. Rowling when writing the Harry Potter books. Stonyhurst College has also been featured in films including \"Three Men and a Little Lady\" and \"Tractate Middoth\".
Next message: 0.2 miles (5 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.846,-2.466":"Look to the EAST and see PENDLE HILL rising majestically from the East Lancashire Moors.
Fully 557 METRES above sea level, Pendle Hill plays a large part in the history of the local area. Bronze age settlers climbed the peak to lay their dead to rest, the rocky cairns dotted on the hill pay testament to their ceremonies. And when George Fox stood atop the hill in 1652 he was inspired to set up the Quaker movement.
The most famous local incident took place in 1612 in the shadow of Pendle Hill, when ten Pendle residents were executed in the biggest witchcraft trial the country has ever seen. Perhaps this dark history was Tolkien's inspiration for Mount Doom and Mordor?
Next message: 0.2 miles (4 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.848,-2.464":"You're approaching the main road (Knowles Brow). Carefully cross the road and go down Woodfields Road (opposite) next to the sign \"Boutique Glamping Over Hacking Farm\".
After 0.2 miles you'll see \"Over Hacking Woods\" in front of you. Turn RIGHT at the junction into the field, keeping the woods to your left and follow the path into the woods down towards the River Hodder.
Next message: 0.6 miles (15 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.855,-2.458":"You're approaching \"Old House Stone Bridge\". Once a thoroughfare for merchants and a route between Chaigley and settlements around Lower Hodder, the bridge now rests quietly in Over Hacking Woods.
There is a small footpath to the side of the stone bridge which leads down to the River Hodder and ruined walls. A nice location for a picnic or scenic photographs.
Next message: 1 mile (20 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.848,-2.451":"You're approaching CROMWELL BRIDGE (half way around the Tolkien Trail).
Walk to the main road and look 50 yards down the River Hodder to see the ancient ruined packhorse bridge. Built in (1561-2) it's named after Oliver Cromwell as his 8000 strong army crossed it in 1648 on their way from Skipton to meet the royalist Scots at Preston where the Battle of Preston took place (17th–19th August 1648).
The newer bridge is known as \"Lower Hodder Bridge\" and marks the historical county boundary between Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire. It was built in 1819 to replace Cromwell's Bridge.
Next message: 1.2 miles (25 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.839,-2.444":"You're approaching an ancient bulbous oak tree which may have been Tolkien's inspiration for the Ent leader called \"Treebeard\" of Fangorn forest. The name \"Ent\" is derived from an Old English word for \"giant\" ... and Tolkien couldn't have missed this amazing sight.
Spare a moment to study this wonderful tree and take a photo of this sentient giant!
Next message: 100 yards (2 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.838,-2.443":"You're approaching where the River Hodder and River Ribble meet. The River Hodder begins on the eastern slopes of White Hill, near Slaidburn, in Yorkshire. It flows through the Forest of Bowland (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) passing through the villages of Slaidburn, Newton, Dunsop Bridge, and Whitewell, before reaching here.
Next message: 0.8 miles (15 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.830,-2.447":"You're approaching where the River Calder and River Ribble meet. Back in the 17th century Richard Shireburn set up \"Hacking Ferry\" here in order to get his people from the local community to the church on the other side of the River Ribble.
The ferry at Hacking Boat House (still working when J.R.R. Tolkien was here) may have provided the inspiration for the Buckleberry Ferry in the book.
In 1955, after almost 300 years, the Hacking Ferry service stopped and there is no evidence of its existence today.
Next message: 0.4 miles (10 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.834,-2.454":"You're approaching \"Jumbles Rocks\". Once a passing place when the river was low enough to ford it, Jumbles Rocks was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the geographic boundaries in the area.
Next message: 1.3 miles (30 minutes).
Keep GPS map open.
","53.835,-2.477":"Congratulations! You've reached the last section of the Tolkien Trail back into Hurst Green (unless you're walking the trail in the opposite direction).
Celebrate your walk in The Shireburn Arms or a snack in Millie's Café.
We value your feedback - and please let us know if you experienced any problems using the GPS map. Click here to send a quick message or email: thetolkientrail@gmail.com
"
Tolkien Trail (7 miles)
If this is your first visit we recommend using the GPS map (green button above) and you won't miss any of this wonderful walk!
The Tolkien Trail winds for almost seven miles through undulating farmland, past the grand buildings of Stonyhurst College, and across historic landmarks like Cromwell's Bridge, an overgrown packhorse bridge once used by Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War. The walk takes you through the very landscapes that inspired the author (J.R.R. Tolkien) while creating the Shire, the rural homeland of the hobbits. Take your time and allow 2½-3 hours to complete this adventure.
DIRECTIONS
- START AT THE WAR MEMORIAL in the centre of Hurst Green (opposite Millie's Cafe). You will see the sign WARREN FOLD opposite the Memorial - walk [150 METRES] along this road onto the fields. Walk a further [200 METRES] towards SMITHY ROW COTTAGES then turn right. Follow the path [800 METRES] towards Stonyhurst School keeping FOX FALL WOOD on your left.
- STONYHURST COLLEGE [20 mins from start]: After FOX FALL WOOD go through wooden gate and turn right towards Stonyhurst School OBSERVATORY. Continue along this track [150 METRES] until you reach HALL BARNS FARM. Turn left and walk [600 METRES] towards KNOWLE BROW. Cross the main road and immediately opposite/left follow the farm track [350 METRES] until you reach OVER HACKING WOOD. Now turn RIGHT into the field. Keeping the woods on your left walk [350 METRES] until you reach a gate/stile. Go into the woods and follow path [250 METRES] down to the STONE BRIDGE. Cross the stone bridge and walk up the hill [200 METRES] towards HODDER COURT.
- HODDER COURT [1 hour from start]: Continue past Hodder Court and walk [150 METRES] down towards the RIVER HODDER. Go through gate into field and follow path [1000 METRES] until you reach the main road.
- CROMWELL BRIDGE [1 hour 15 mins from start]: Turn RIGHT at Longridge Road and walk [420 METRES] up to KNOWLES BROW bus stop. Go through the gate opposite the bus stop and walk [200 METRES] towards SPRING WOOD. Keeping the woods on your left walk another [450 METRES] towards PIGGERIES PEN and go through gate. Turn LEFT and walk [500 METRES] down the private road to WINCKLEY HALL FARM - walk through the farm to the River Ribble footpath.
- RIVER RIBBLE FOOTPATH [1 hour 40 mins from start]: Follow river footpath [2000 METRES] to JUMBLES ROCKS (WEIR). Continue along path [1500 METRES] to RAID DEEP WOODS. Walk through gate into woods and follow path [100 METRES] to the small wooden bridge. Finally walk up the field [600 METRES] towards Hurst Green and finish at The Shireburn Arms car park.
- TOTAL WALK TIME: APPROXIMATELY 2½ - 3 HOURS
DOWNLOAD MAP
Please note: The Tolkien Trail is not signposted and it is easy to get lost without the GPS map (above). You will need GPS LOCATION enabled.
