River walk along the banks where 3 rivers meet ... Calder, Hodder and Ribble
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"53.836,-2.479":"Start the River Walk in The Shireburn Hotel car park. Please do not park your car here, it is for hotel patrons only.
Walk through the car park down to the kissing gate and follow the path through the fields towards Raid Deep Woods. It's about a 10 minute walk from here down to the River Ribble.
Next message: 1.4 miles (30 minutes).
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","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: 0.4 miles (10 minutes).
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","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: 0.8 miles (15 minutes).
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","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: 100 yards (2 minutes).
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","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: 1 mile (25 minutes).
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","53.846,-2.456":"You're approaching the MAIN ROAD. Go through the metal kissing gate and cross the road to the bus shelter. Continue walking up Knowles Brow towards Stonyhurst College for 10 minutes.
Next message: 0.4 miles (10 minutes).
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","53.848,-2.463":"You're approaching the Stonyhurst College farm track. Take the next left when you see the sign \"Hall Barn Farm\".
Next message: 0.4 miles (10 minutes).
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","53.847,-2.465":"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).
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","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).
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","53.845,-2.471":"You're approaching St Peter's Catholic Parish Church, built between 1832 to 1835 and designed by
Joseph John Scoles in the Gothic Revival style.
. The building before the church with the domed roof is the College Observatory (built 1866).
Go through the metal gate (left after the Observatory) and continue along the path towards Hurst Green.
Next message: 0.7 miles (15 minutes).
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","53.837,-2.480":"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
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River Walk (5 Miles)
A delightful walk following the River Ribble. This easy walk takes you past many beautiful features including where the River Calder and Hodder both join the River Ribble. You may be lucky and spot salmon jumping out of the water at Jumbles Rocks, or even a heron fishing in the shallows.
If you prefer not to walk along the main road footpath (back to Hurst Green) we recommend you turn around and walk back in the opposite direction after you reach Winckly Hall Farm (piggeries).
Start/End Shireburn Arms Car Park, Hurst Green
(5.1 miles | 1½ hours)
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