Published by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council Borough Metropolitan Sefton by Published

www.visitseftonandwestlancs.co.uk

VISIT Sefton and West Lancs website Lancs West and Sefton VISIT

For maps, cycling information and cycle hire, see the the see hire, cycle and information cycling maps, For

There are some fantastic routes in the borough. the in routes fantastic some are There

BROOM’S CROSS BROOM’S

It’s also a great way to see the scenery in Thornton and Sefton. and Thornton in scenery the see to way great a also It’s

TO ENJOY TO

WALKS HISTORICAL LINKS WITH LINKS HISTORICAL

Try cycling! Try

2 NEW 2

VILLAGE GUIDE EXPLORING ITS EXPLORING GUIDE VILLAGE

INCLUDES INCLUDES

M57

LITHERLAND

CROSBY KIRKBY

THORNTON

MAGHULL

M58

M6

A59

A5147

SKELMERSDALE

FORMBY

ORMSKIRK

M6 A565

A5209

A570

BURSCOUGH

SOUTHPORT

Thornton

SEFTON

Parish of Parish

Calls to 0845 numbers cost 2p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge access company’s phone your plus minute per 2p cost numbers 0845 to Calls

0845 140 0845 140 0845 on Officer Way of Rights the contact or

www.sefton.gov.uk website Council Sefton the see For further details about these and other paths and walks in Sefton, Sefton, in walks and paths other and these about details further For

THORNTON PARISH circular walks. Descriptions of the ABOUT THE PARISH routes are included which will help and The aim of this guide is to highlight the enhance the walks. Additional walks The township of Thornton has existed since local features and encourage Thornton within the Thornton area and Sefton the time of William the Conqueror and was residents and visitors to explore this rural Borough can be found in the Walking recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 as location and discover its links to the past. and Cycling Guide produced by Sefton Torentun, which is old English for town of Rothwells Lane ‘A’ on map Council which can be found on the thorn trees. www.visitseftonandwestlancs.co.uk Thornton was also mentioned in 1337 although only the base of the The two walks cross land under the when it was recorded as being in the forest original cross remains. stewardship of Lancashire Wildlife of King Edward III. The crosses form an important part Trust and the Forestry Commission Prior to 1930 Thornton was entirely rural of local heritage and customs, one and information on their work within but in the ensuing years its population custom dating back to the 1700s was the area can be found on their grew and now stands at about 2000. `the dressing of the crosses` at Great respective websites. Historically its boundaries have hardly Crosby and Ince Blundell which took changed throughout its long history. place on Midsummer Day. Thornton is well served by road and public transport links specifically bus Despite its long history, Thornton is not It is known that in 1629 there were Broom’s Cross ‘2’ on map services. Details and further famous as the scene of an important battle, two alehouses in Thornton, they information is available on the a castle or historic event but it is significant were situated on either side of the Merseytravel website or for the number of ancient monuments in village green which was the focal Thornton Parish is located in the Traveline on 0871 200 2233 the form of wayside ‘Crosses’, which exist point of rural life in those days. The Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, it is either within its boundaries or in the sites are now occupied by the Nags largely rural, made up of a series of small surrounding towns and villages. Head and Grapes respectfully. towns and villages, such as Thornton and Homer Green and its boundaries have Thornton has close links to the Two other historical features are the hardly changed for hundreds of years. neighbouring village of Sefton and they’re Stocks and Sundial, which are both within the ecclesiastical parish of situated on Water Street opposite Thornton is approximately eight miles Sefton. The church of St Helen, in Sefton, is the Nags Head Public House. It is north of Liverpool and is neighbour to the parish church and has been for many thought that the Sundial is of the Parishes of Ince Blundell and Sefton. centuries and is where most local people Jacobean origin and was erected The picturesque village of Little Crosby River Alt ‘6’ on map buried their dead. In medieval times, the before 1720 and is one of the oldest and the larger Great Crosby are both means of transport was either on foot or by in South West Lancashire. The stocks within easy reach, with their array of horse and cart and people travelled over a were used as a punishment for shops and public amenities. network of paths and tracks. Coffins had to people from the parish of Sefton and be carried to the church, so stopping the earliest known Thornton has great access to outdoor places for funeral processions were reference to them activities such as rambling and cycling established and wayside crosses were set dates back to 1725. and there is a large network of public up at the location of the stopping places. footpaths throughout the area perfect for walking. Many of these crosses have been lost but a number can still be found, one of which is The map overleaf details the parish and Broom’s Cross. Broom’s Cross is located on highlights its public footpaths and two Thornton Footpath No2 ‘A’ & ‘B’ on map Holgate and is a scheduled monument,

Broom’s Cross ‘2’ on map Thorton Route.qxp_Layout 1 09/10/2015 14:30 Page 1 Page 14:30 09/10/2015 1 Route.qxp_Layout Thorton Thorton Route.qxp_Layout 1 09/10/2015 14:30 Page 2 Wayside Walk A. B. Stocks & Sundial ‘A’ & ‘1’ on walk Holgate ‘B’ & ‘2’ on walk Commencing at the Stocks and Sundial top of Turn left and follow the bridleway adjacent to Broom’s Road. No. 2, turn left and follow the path to Broom’s Cross Then take the public footpath to right, Thornton Rothwells Lane and continue to the end of lane. the Nags Head Public House. Take first left into Water Street, cross Green Lane and turn right passing original medieval wayside cross still remains. into view on your left. Only the stonebase of ancient monument known as Broom’s Cross will come turning left onto a track. Follow the track and Cross Road. the road at crossing point before MOOR LANE Sef 5 Ancient Monument Broom’s Cross Kissing Gates Stiles Public Footpaths River Alt Thornton Walk Roughley Around Wayside Walk Roads Cro

such as Lyd5, this is footpath no.5 in Lydiate. Public Footpaths are identified by unique references walking person or by yellow arrowed waymarkers. Public Footpaths are signed by green signs with white

6

CHESHIRE LINES CHESHIRE

ACRES LANE ACRES

LITTLE LITTLE

G

I

CROSBY PILLING LANE ROAD CROSBY Lyd

5 A

C

R

E

S

Little Crosby

L A

N FIRTH BRIDGE H E Key Trans Pennine Trail Stiles Public Footpaths Canal Tower & Steeple Walk Lydiate Hall Walk Roads CARR LANE J Alt GORE HOUSE FARM Lyd 10 Cro Cro 1 11 10 Moor Park

GORE LODGE Little Crosby Road ‘I’ on walk

A HOLLAND’S FARM

C

R

E

S

L

A N H E

Dow

AL

T

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A 9

R

L

A N E

Key BACK LANE BACK IncB F Lyd Lyd 4 C. D. E. MEADOW VIEW FARM LYDIATE HALL FARM P 2 20 Cro U

Turn right onto Long Lane and continue up to the next N Continue along the track then veer left onto another Follow the field edge path enjoying wonderful N Ince Blundell Hall 12 E BROOKSIDE FARM L L footpath known as Thornton Footpath No. 7. views of open fields then exit onto Long lane. Wall Road. often frequent this path, continue and exit on to Park leaves keeping a watchful eye out, as wild pheasant trees along the way. In autumn walk on a carpet of 5. Turn left onto the path, passing under a canopy of footpath on the left hand side, Thornton Footpath No. ’ S

L A Alt N E G 8

STABLES

P

I I L

CHESTNUT AVE CHESTNUT

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I

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FOREFIELD LANE FOREFIELD

LYDIATE GREEN G

L A Thornton Wood

N ST KATHERINE’S CHAPEL

MOOR LANE E

VIRGIN’S LANE VIRGIN’S VIRGIN’S LANE VIRGIN’S (REMAINS OF) LYDIATE HALL Lyd SOUTH BRIDGE MARSCOUGH (REMAINS OF)

18 S

T

A

T ROAD WALL PARK NORTH BRIDGE

F CHESTERFIELD DRIVE CHESTERFIELD I MARSCOUGH O

BERRYS FARM N

R D

Ince Blundell Park

ROSE FARM RD SOUTHPORT E

I N

C

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L CHURCH VIEW FARM EDGEMOOR DRIVE EDGEMOOR

A

K N

E

I N

LOLLIES BRIDGE C E ROA E

MOOR LANE A D IncB Lyd Thornton Footpath No 5 ‘E’ on walk ABBEY VIEW

P 6a 19 I L L HALL LANE I BELLS LANE N G MANION AVE L A N 1 E PARK WALL ROAD Lyd Lyd PIG AND POULTRY FARM L

LYDIATE HILL BRIDGE CADWELL RD CADWELL SANDHURST WAY LONG LANE 8 5 NORTH

HILL TOP FARM GREEN LL ROAD

MALLORY AVE WAY BIRCHFIELD PARK VIEW EDGE LANE EDGE D Lyd

BYE BRIDGE

W LN

O

O SILVER

7 D

L A

E

Lyd I

G M

H B

BIRCH WAY THE MOORINGS THE LANE EAST

C O 17

L Tho

O S EAGER LANE EAGER MILL HOUSE FARM

S Lyd W E

S 5

E 1 L 12

D D 6

B L

L IVY GLEN Tho

U A N

D N E RIMMER’S BRIDGE

L 7 HOLGATECHERRY TREE FARM (SWING BRIDGE) L C

E

A SMITHY BROW Hunt’s Brook

LAMBSHEAR LANE ROTH

V

MARSHALL’S CLOSE MARSHALL’S

E

BLACKHURST RD BLACKHURST C HOLGATE HOLGATE E

WELLS LN Lyd

F. G. H. I. IVY FARM

NURSERY RD L Y

11 DIA 9 Follow the road round to left and enter unspoilt Turn left and continue along Park Wall Road until you

Cross the A565 and turn right continue for a short Go straight on at Back Lane passing Crosby Hall

12

T

Lyd E

2

LA with the Lion Gates on your right. reach the main Liverpool to Southport Road (A565) LANE SANDY Lane. Footpath No. 4, turn left and follow the path to Back distance to a public footpath on your left, Ince Blundell St Mary’s Church. Educational Trust on the left hand side until you reach village cross on the right. Follow main road and the cross carved into brickwork on left and village of Little Crosby. In the centre village, note Tho

3

2 NURSERY GARDEN H

13 Tho

N GREEN’S LANE A

E

NEDENS LANE L

2 L

EDGE LANE EDGE L

8 CANAL BANK A

COTTAGES

N

BARNES DR BARNES 8 E

COPPULL RD BROAD LANE GREEN’S LANE BRIDGEFOOT FARM B

FARM

R 4

O B

HAIGH CRESCENT HAIGH O

Lyd M

3

’ Lyd 9 S

14

C

Thornton R

Homer Green

12 11

O BRIDGE FARM

L

A

S JACKSON’S

M Sef

10 L S MARYLANDS

U

B

R

N S OAKHILL DR OAKHILL

13 O H

ROSE HILL FARM T

A E

R A

D Lyd

R

O

VIRGINIA AV

L M A

A JACKSON’S

D N

ROSE HILL

4 BRIDGE E 10

O

ALEXANDER DR ALEXANDER

S

S LONGDALE PYGON’S

Lyd

HOUSE Sefton

L BACKB LANE 7 A 16

4 N Lyd

9

Lyd E

15 LANE 24

BRIDGES LANE LANE HILL PYGON’S CORON ATIO PYGON’S HILL N RD SUDELL LANE

FARM RIDGEWAY DR RIDGEWAY

LIVERPOOL RD 8 KENYON’S LANE KENYON’S Aug Aug ‘10’ on walk 15 Lunt WALSH HALL 8 PIGON’S FOLD FARM Aug Roughley’s HOLLIN HOUSE 5 Wood

30

FARM L

UN

T

NORTHERN PERIMETER RD PERIMETER NORTHERN

R OAD 6 SPENCERS HEY BRIDGE SUDELL

A59 NORTHWAY 5

River Alt River Harrisons Brook Harrisons Sef 7 1 HOLLINS BARN J. K. L.

B HOME FARM THE COTTAGE R LANE BACK Directly after the lodge turn left onto footpath Crosby Cross the junction into Green Lane and follow road ICK W Continue along Virgin’s Lane to the junction of Brook the village. until you reach the lodge on your left at far end of be a stopping place for funeral processions, continue painted on the wall is a cross where it was reputed to into Virgin’s Lane. reach the kissing gate at Ormskirk Lodge and turn right No.11 keeping the wall on your left, continue until you the main junction at Park View and Quarry Road. junction of Ince Road at the T junction, until you reach Road and turn left. Follow the road bearing right at back to the Stocks and Sundial. A

L PYE’S COTTAGES

L Sef L A 6

N 11 E Sef

SWAN LANE 5 A59 NORTHWAY Sef SefN 14 Sef 15 14 Lunt Lane ‘8’ on walk Showrick Bridge ‘6’ on walk Gates Lane ‘3’ & ‘4’ on walk NORTH 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1 . Follow into the field after Back Lane and turn left Proceed at Lunt forward Lane passing Lunt Farm Follow the stone of several track to the junction Turn the pumping station, right and just after Follow the track passing through three further Crossing Lunt Road, then turn right into turn left Continue as Gates straight along the track known Cross Broom’s Cross Road via the crossing point, Retrace your steps back to the Stocks and Follow the field edge, the route dog legs right Continue straight on until you reach a fork in Roughley Around Commencing at the Stocks and Sundial at the Nags Head Public House. Sundial following Holgate again passing the path and turn right to cross Broom’s Cross Road. Broom’s Cross monument. Continue along the and rejoins the trackthen left adjacent to hedge line on the right. the path (a timber bench), the keeping turn left across Back Lane into the field opposite. hedge line. Go through the gap and go straight come upon a gap on the right hand side in path that runs parallel to Back Lane until you the last house on left, follow the field edge over Lunt opposite. Road into Back Lane directly of Lunton the right to the junction Road. Cross follow the track to the gate at Lunt Lane. the wooded area (Roughley’s Wood) on your left, round onto to the stone the left track, keeping footpaths turn right, continue along the track Footpathonto a field edge path Sefton No 1. Bridge and then at the bridge descend the steps up toContinue Showrick along the embankment Helen’s Church comes into view in the distance. traverse up the embankment, look right and St of the River Alt embankment. gates to the pumping station on footkissing continue straight on. gate,reach a kissing pass through the gate and house on your left. Continue straight until you Broad Lane passing the aptly named red brick Lunt Road. continueGreen until reaching Barn on the left then bends to the right passing close to Homer the waymarker at Homer Green Farm. The path Lane and Thornton Byway No. at 8 and turn left still remains. stonebase of the original medieval wayside cross Cross comes into view on your left. Only the edge track and the ancient monument Broom’s into open countryside.turn left Follow the field distance before reaching Broom’s Cross Road. gate and horse stile continue for a short your right and follow the lane. Pass through a Holgate. Pass the Nags Head Public House on top of Water Street cross Green Lane into Thornton Walk