Overview
Start out from Salmesbury Hall before heading into industrial heartland of Preston. Enjoy the drive out to Martins Mere before visiting the National Trust’s Rufford Old Hall. Take in the canal at Top Lock before heading to the market town of Chorley. Visit Rivington en route to Gawthorpe before exploring the Elizabethan mansion. Then head through Weaver’s Triangle before finishing up in the mill ton of Burnley.
Samlesbury Hall
Built in 1325 this historic half timbered manor house has been linked to much of our history from Robert the Bruce, Witches, the English Civil War and in the 19th century was owned by a Cotton Baron or two. Sitting in manicured lawns and woodland the hall is well worth a visit.
Preston
Richard Arkwright was born in the town and the area has undergone massive regeneration especially around the dock area where you can take in the history with steam trains, shops and eateries. The Market Square has fine stone buildings and the town is filled with parks and a 21 mile trail around the town – the Guild Wheel. Brockholes visitor centre floats over the wetland habitat.
Martin Mere
This wetland centre covers a vast area and is a major stopping off point for many varieties of migrating birds as well as introduced species, and that includes the Lego Brick variety. Managed by the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust the varied habitat including reed beds is also filled with many native species of flower and fauna.
Rufford
This timbered Tudor manor house is owned by the National Trust and its fine interior is filled with solid oak furniture, tapestries, stained glass in the windows and a collection or arms and armour.
The Top Lock
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Chorley offers some interesting towpath walks with Top Locks and the seven consecutive locks at Johnson’s Hillock a particular feature. Now given over to leisure the canal once carried the trade of the area and canal side there are some fine hostelries for the weary walker.
Chorley
The market town has a rich heritage with pleasant parks, historic houses and peaceful parkland. Top attractions include the intricate architecture of Astley Hall, the fortified manor house that is Hoghton Tower or the Tudor Manor house Heskin Hall, or explore the great outdoors by walking in the Yarrow Valley country park.
Rivington
At the foot of Rivington Pike and a great place to start a walk or bike ride to the summit to see Pike Tower and enjoy the views over the West Pennine Moors. Jepson’s Clough waterfall is partly hidden in a narrow ravine - the south side walk provides the easiest access.
Gawthorpe Hall
This Elizabethan country house was originally built overlooking the River Calder but the river was diverted to enable open cast coal mining to occur in the area. It is one of starting points on the 43 mile Bronte Way across the South Pennines to Haworth.
Weavers' Triangle
This area of Burnley consists mostly of heavily renovated 19th-century industrial buildings at the western side of the town centre clustered around the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Linked to the cotton industry they chart the development of the town and its weaving industry. The visitor centre is located in the former Wharfmaster's House and Toll Office.
Queen Street Mill
Just to the North East of Burnley the renovated Queen Street Mill will be opening for visitors on certain days each week during the summer months. It is a regular backdrop for films and TV productions including the 2011 film the Kings Speech scene set in the weaving shed.
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