I’ve been wanting to explore more of the eastern side of Bowland so to get started I picked an easy route along the River Hodder from The Parkers Arms at Newton-in-Bowland. I plan to go back later in spring and do a longer walk but today I wanted a nice easy walk with some grub and a drink at the finish line.
I parked up in the pub car park and nipped in to tell them I’d be back to eat later. There aren’t loads of spaces but parking isn’t a problem as long as you let them know you’re eating or having a drink afterwards. Even if it’s just for a cup of tea. There is also alternative parking at the top of the village if you are just walking.
Out of the car park turn right and head towards the road bridge over the River Hodder. On the left side of the road there’s a fingerpost sign pointing left above the wall, hop over the steps on the wall and follow the river.
The ground was muddy, very muddy! If you’re doing this walk in winter or spring, make sure you have waterproof boots or wellies. And if it is summer, well knowing Bowland, I’d still say have good footwear.
Follow a dry stone wall on the right and then cross the footbridge and go over the wall into another field. To the left there’s a handy sign directing you through a gate, basically keeping you out of the field and away from the sheep.
Further down on the left there’s a wooded area called Great Dunnow, it’s higher than the fields so a good marker. And a few hundred metres you then head through a memorial
gate on your left, into Great Dunnow. Presumably this area was well loved by Nina Michelle Jones and Malcolm Croucher Jones (RIP).
Follow the path through the woods and climb over the stile into the next field. Try to stick to the left, but avoid the temporary swap (if it’s still there). You’ll see a large house behind a line of bushes, known as Dunnow Hall, which dates back to the Nineteenth century and is currently a treatment centre for Lymphology.
Still sticking to the left a track forms and takes you around the hall grounds, following a line of trees. After a few minutes you reach a sewer works, which is smelly – and not worth looking at. There’s no obvious path here so turn right to the river and follow it. It’s a sort of big U turn.
This section of the walk is a pleasant stroll along the River Hodder. Eventually you’ll reach a bridge, go over this and take the gate on the left. Follow the fence down to the next gate, after you go through it you’ll notice a large private pond on the right. Keep the pond to your right and after a short while there is a large fallen tree (which might be gone by the time you read this). Look out for a straight line of trees to the right and follow them down to another footbridge over a contributory to the Hodder which I think is called Easington Brook.
On the right hand side there’s a partially collapsed dry stone wall to follow. And at the end there’s a gate and a stile – take your pick and then join the river path. After about 500m the path joins the bridge back at the main road near The Parkers Arms.
After arriving back at the pub we banged our muddy boots and then sat down in front of a roaring fire. A good walk requires some good grub afterwards, and boy did we get it.
I personally had the Pheasant Broth with barley & Hesketh Bank winter roots to start and Parkers Lamb Hotpot for mains, which were pretty much the best I’d had, although Pheasant Broth is not something I’ve had lots of times before. Others had the Newton Game Livers Parfait, Ashcrofts Cauliflower and Parkers Famous Bury Black Pudding, Pork & Sage Sausage Roll to start, I tried all of them and they were all really good, but a special mention goes to the Sausage Roll because I’ve never liked black pudding before and didn’t like the sound of it, but it was AMAZING!
The other mains were the Game Pie and Lancashire Cheese and Onion Pie, (one with chips
and one with mash) and I was told they were both top of their respective divisions! The Cheese and Onion pie was light and very tasty. We were told this was cooked with white wine. Not a standard cheese and onion pie at all. Very very tasty. The Game Pie was full of flavour and again very much enjoyed. The mash was smooth and creamy and the chips were tasty and chunky. We then finished with a Gisburn Cream Posset & Blood Orange which light and creamy and very tasty, and Kathys Award Winning Wet Nelly which again was very tasty and teas and coffees. This was just light enough to finish, because we were pretty stuffed.
We got chatting to ‘AJ’ and he told us that they also do sandwich packs for walkers, they just need a call a few days in advance. They also do afternoon cream teas so long as this is booked a couple of weeks in advance. They have a couple of rooms available for bed and breakfast too. Judging by the amount of food we ate today, if you decide to stay and have breakfast, you will definitely need to have a good walk after it!
Guest Blogger - Tim Adams
For more walks by Bowland Walks visit www.bowlandwalks.co.uk
Comments