From the car park cross the road and turn left towards the village. Turn right along the towpath of the Rufford branch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. This is one of the most attractive stretches of this canal, the banks are lined with trees which, on the opposite side, hang out over the water; Rufford Old Hall nestles in the parkland. When I was there a pair of mute swans were basking in the winter sunshine and a group of mallards dabbling for food in the shallows. The air was alive to the sound of birdsong. It is a delight at any time of the year. Continue along the towpath, passing the little bridge which carries a farm track, to Spark Bridge, the first road bridge, where you climb up the steps on the far side onto the road. Go over the bridge towards the A59 but where the bridge ends turn left down Spark Lane and follow it to its junction with the A59 where you cross with care and take the bridleway opposite, Croston Drive. The pleasant wooded track climbs slightly as you walk along the edge of what were once the grounds of Rufford New Hall, later to become Rufford Hospital and now residential housing. Continue through the yard of Park Farm, which when I walked through was defended by a small flock of noisy guinea fowl. Follow the well defined track and just beyond, where the tarmac track turns sharp left, continue ahead along the minor track. You are now well out on Holmeswood Moss. The rich farmland stretches all round you and not a hedge is to be seen.

  The track continues for about 1 mile eventually emerging onto the B5246 Rufford - Holmeswood road; turn left along the pavement. In about 250yds. the main road turns sharp left; our way lies straight on along Sandyway. Sandyway is a quiet country road lined in places by trees; when I was there these were alive with birds and skeins of pink-footed geese honked their way overhead, a very rural scene. The road continues straight for about 3/4 mile before turning sharp left, don't follow it but continue ahead along the field boundary beside a hawthorn hedge. This is Tarlescough Moss, the lowest point of the walk, it is uphill all the way from here. Cross the footbridge then turn left beside a deep ditch; a sign indicates the path is No. 134, Tarlescough Hall is on the slight rise to your right and the outskirts of Burscough lie far ahead. Follow the ditch as it turns to the left after 1/2 mile, you are now heading due East. Ashurst Beacon and the bulk of Parbold Hill and Harrock Hill are straight ahead. I walked this path after several weeks of heavy rain; the fields were covered with sheets of water and a flock of several hundred pink-footed geese were feeding nearby; four rather startled partridge flew up with a whirr of wings from under my feet. In about 1/4 mile cross over a minor road, the footpath continues along the right hand side of the ditch; a post indicates that it is now No. 92; it goes straight as an arrow for a mile to emerge onto the A59 at Causeway Farm. Our route lies right along the footpath, but before you take it note the old boundary stone across the road; it marks the division between the parishes of Lathom and Rufford and between the hundreds of West Derby and Leyland. The term "Hundred" dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, also called 'Wapentakes" they were areas which had to raise a number of men for the king's army, Lancashire was split up into six hundreds.

  Go down the A59 for about 1/3rd mile until, just after passing Tom Jones' Nurseries, you see Meadow Lane going off on the left. Before you cross the road take a look at the thatched cottage on your right, a lovely building but hardly a haven of peace and tranquillity. Cross the main road with care and walk down Meadow Lane. Follow the lane over the railway then the canal and at the hump-backed bridge just beyond turn left onto the track running beside Eller Brook. Keep on the top of the bank and in a little while you cross the first stile of the walk and join the River Douglas. Rufford Church can be seen reaching out of the trees with Mawdesley over to your right. White Bridge lies just ahead and the car park a few yards down the road on the left.

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