Slaidburn to Dunsop Bridge

Home , Dunsop Bridge, River Hodder, Slaidburn, Trough of Bowland

OS Explorer Slaidburn to Dunsop Bridge OL41 Start Point End Point Distance/Time Terrain Key to Facilities Slaidburn, SD 7142 5239 Dunsop Bridge SD 6601 5014 5.5 miles / 9 km Tracks, fields and roads. Pubs, Cafés, Bus service: B10 from Bus service: B10 to Clitheroe, 3 Hrs Gates and some stiles. Shops, Toilets Clitheroe and Settle. Slaidburn and Settle (cut off point Some short ascents. at Newton, also served by B10) Can be wet under foot.

GPS Waypoints (OS grid refs) N 1 SD 7142 5239

2 1 SD 7020 5077 3 SD 6978 5041

4 SD 6939 5079

5 SD 6911 5083

6 SD 6851 5021

7 SD 6866 4963

8 SD 6685 5016 5 2 4 SD 6601 5014

6 3 8

This walk follows the Hodder Valley 1 From Slaidburn car park and bus 5 Cross the road to take the path 8 Turn left to head diagonally towards downstream from Slaidburn to Dunsop stop, turn right onto the riverbank and over the stone stile, and follow the the riverbank. Go to the right of the Bridge. After following the river as far as follow the river to join a riverside wall along; follow the field boundary wall to follow the riverside to the Newton, the route then cuts over a path.The path follows the river, before which becomes a fence then trees and bridge. Cross the bridge to take the hillside through field paths for fine views diverting round a small sewage works. keep in the same direction when metalled lane to the main road, which across the Hodder Valley towards the Continue along the river, past the descending the hill down to a stile (the leads left to the village of Dunsop Newton fells and the Dunsop Valley. bridge and through the bottom edge trees bend to the right). Cross the Bridge. Slaidburn - Nestling in the upper of Dunnow Great Wood. track and follow the stream to a gate Hodder Valley, Slaidburn is a picturesque and stile. Cross a second track and go stone built village, notable for the Parish 2 After the wood, take the path straight ahead to the road. church of St. Andrew dating back to 950 marked by a gate ahead. Go right at AD, with a Norman period font. Stock the road and uphill into Newton 6 Turn right on the road and take the and cattle fairs have been held in the village. next signposted footpath on the left. village since 1294, and the village once The path then goes to the left of the had a smith, tannery, wheelright, corn mill, 3 Past the pub, take the right fork, hillock (with a small disused quarry at hat manufacturing shoe and dress making. which leads to another junction. its base) and diagonally left through a The famous Hark to Bounty pub has a By the phone box take a signposted metal gate. Continue to the footbridge medieval courtroom with the original track on your left, up a slope.Take and over the River Hodder. benches.The old grammar school, the path straight ahead over the stile, Brennand's Endowed School, is now a and continue uphill. Go through the 7 Over the bridge and bend right to primary school for the village and gate, slightly to the left and then to meet the track.Turn right and follow surrounding area. Slaidburn hosts an the footpath waymarked by the this track, which soon bends and splits excellent café frequented by walkers and - take the branch over the bridge, cyclists, as well as a youth hostel. barn ahead. passing the Concessionary Footpath Newton - is a pretty village sited above 4 Continue straight ahead as a fine sign and continue along the track past the River Hodder floodplain and has a view of the fells opens up. On the Knowlmere Manor. Follow the track to pub offering meals. brow of the hill, bend left to follow a its end, where a waymarked grassy Dunsop Bridge - Gateway to the line of trees (ignore the footpath signs track starts by the gate at Trough of Bowland, the Ordnance Survey on the stiles on the right and straight Mossthwaite. Follow this grassy track recognises Dunsop Bridge as the nearest ahead!). A waymarked post appears on past the metal aqueduct below, and village to the exact centre of Great the bend, follow this round and cross take the next stile (right) over the wall. Britain, with a public phone box the stream ahead. Heading for the commemorating the fact. Opposite the electricity pylon in front, the (ill- post office and café is the village green, defined) path emerges on a narrow frequented by ducks eager to relieve road to the left of a gate. picnickers of spare food. Supporting Information Sustainable Tourism Bowland Tourism & Environment Fund Safety Countryside/Moorland Code

The Forest of Bowland Area of Help protect the Forest of Bowland If you are going for a walk, it is strongly From a gentle stroll or Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty recommended that you: relaxing picnic, to a long- is a protected landscape that has What is the Bowland Tourism • Dress appropriately - avoid wearing distance walk or heart-pumping international importance for its & Environment Fund? denim and any other clothing, adventure, the countryside provides heather moorland, blanket bog and which doesn't dry quickly. It is better every opportunity for enjoyment and rare birds. In 2005 the AONB became The BTEF enables visitors to relaxation. If you follow the Countryside contribute directly towards the to wear lots of lighter layers, which the first protected area in England to can be easily removed or added. Code wherever you go, you'll get the be awarded the European Charter for funding of environmental projects best enjoyment possible and you'll help within the AONB Sturdy footwear and waterproofs Sustainable Tourism in Protected are also a must to protect our open spaces now and for Areas, joining just 30 other areas The initiative enables tourism future generations. across Europe.The Charter is awarded businesses, visitors and local • Carry the right equipment - including an Ordnance Survey Map 1. Be safe - plan ahead and follow to protected areas that are delivering communities to work together to any signs tourism that is both nature and benefit and protect the AONB. (OS Explorer OL41); compass; landscape friendly and which contributes small first aid kit; high energy snack; 2. Leave gates and property as you to the economic development of the Postcards, pin badges and donation something to drink; mobile phone find them region.The Charter approach ensures boxes are available at selected (be aware that coverage can be businesses and information centres in 3. Protect plants and animals, and that organisations, local people and patchy); whistle take your litter home businesses are working together to the Forest of Bowland. • Always let someone know where 4. Keep dogs under close control protect the area, whilst at the same time you're going and what time you increasing opportunities for visitors to expect to be back 5. Consider other people discover and enjoy its special qualities. • Do not take any unnecessary risks. 6. Prevent uncontrolled You can contribute to sustainable moorland fires tourism by: If you are in difficulty or see someone in difficulty, please dial 999 and ask for For further information please visit: • Leaving the car at home and using Mountain Rescue www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/ public transport instead To report any other incident contact: countryside • Purchasing local products, including www.naturalengland.gov.uk food and drink • Countryside Service - 01772 534 709, open 9am-5pm, • Making a donation to the Bowland Monday to Friday Tourism Environment Fund through donation boxes at participating • Lancashire Constabulary - businesses in the area 0845 1 25 35 45 or 999 for emergencies www.forestofbowland.com