Lostock & Yarrow

The Lostock and Yarrow Valleys from Croston -

THE YARROW and LOSTOCK VALLEYS from CROSTON

Distance: 6 miles. - Start: The Wheatsheaf Inn, Croston.

The rivers Lostock and Yarrow flow into the River Douglas just to the west of Croston. This walk joins the Lostock valley about l/2 mile from its end and takes us over the farmland beside the river before crossing over to Eccleston and joining the Yarrow to return to Croston. Although you are never far from civilisation, witness the ever present noise of motorway traffic, much of the walk is on peaceful, it at times muddy, footpaths across open fields with out a soul in sight.

Walk away from the village past the Lord Nelson Inn and go along Out Lane. Shortly after passing Bishop Rawstorne School the lane turns first into a track and then into a footpath. The regular route home of some of the schoolchildren is revealed by the litter of crisp packets and drinks cans alongside the path; how sad that people today have so little regard for their own environment.. Fortunately you leave the litter behind when you turn right at the junction of pathways. Turn right again when the path reaches the Chorley - Croston road the B5249; there is a footpath on the opposite side. Take the signposted footpath which goes out to the left in about 300 yds.; just after passing a white cottage on your right, called the Millstone.

The path follows the hedge on your left to a muddy gateway in the field corner, work your way through to continue in the same direction on the opposite side of the hedge. At the next field corner cross the stile and look ahead; you will see some farm buildings, the path heads well to the right of these and meets the roadway via a stile at the bridge near a green painted pumping station. The River Lostock also crosses the road at this point, indeed it is tidal as far as this bridge. From the gate opposite walk over the meadow beside the river and, shortly after the stile, watch out for a footbridge on your left crossing a side stream, a notice opposite it asks you to keep to the footpath. Cross the footbridge to stay beside the main stream and walk over two more fields to reach another road at Lostock Bridge Farm.

Cross the road and from the signpost look ahead in the direction that it points and you will see three electricity pylons, head in the direction of the middle more prominent one and, beside a large willow tree, you will find a footbridge over a stream where it meets the River Lostock. Cross another field, keeping close to the river, and you come to a footbridge over the mainstream, don't cross it but continue beside the river and go over a stile in the hedge. few yards beyond you will come to another footbridge over side stream, don't cross this one either, but turn right and follow the side stream, this is Hollins Brook. Keep beside this stream across two fields watching out for a footbridge on your left, once again don't go over it but walk ahead a few yards to the field corner and turn right in front of the stile. Go through first gateway ahead and at the next one walk past the circular cattle trough and side step through the gate beyond to continue in the same direction but on the left side of the hedge and reach the roadway via a footbridge.

Turn left along the road and almost immediately right along a signed track. As you go up the track you will see to your left a derelict barn, work your way round the left of this; I had to climb over a metal gate to do so. Several hedges have been removed from the fields ahead and the path is far from clear, but from the barn corner walk ahead, parallel with the hedge on your left, and make for the circular concrete cattle trough. From there look ahead and you will see a hedge coming in from your left, aim for the stile in the field corner where the hedge meets a fence. Over the stile ignore the cinder track going slightly left but walk ahead aiming for a point in the hedge about 100yds to the left of the wood corner, where you will find a footbridge and a stile: you cross another cinder track on the way. Beyond the stile the hedge ahead has also been removed but two oaks remain to show the line of it, walk by these cross another stile and go over the cross track. Follow hedge to a gate and a short green lane which leads you the Chorley - Croston road opposite the road to Eccleston.

The road to Eccleston, Lydiate Lane, is busy but there is a footpath and although it may be noisy it is safe to walk Eccleston is about 1/2 mile ahead; as you approach the village pause to admire the red sandstone Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, set in the trees below the road on the left. The church is well worth a detour. The way back to Croston follows the gravel drive which goes off on your right between the cottages and the river just before the humpbacked bridge. This soon reaches a stile beyond which are open fields again. The path is clear and follows the hedges and fences first on your right, then on your left, and finally across the open fields. It does not follow the river bank closely but cuts across several meanders, there should be no difficulty as it is well trodden. As you approach the houses of Croston cross a stile close to the river onto a track and walk to the road beside the attractive stone Mill Bridge.

Turn right along the footpath towards the village, still following the river; wild garlic and bluebells flourish in the woods on your left creating a lovely sight in spring as well as a powerful odour. The woods were part of the grounds of Croston Hall, sadly demolished in 1964. Just beyond the entrance to the Chapel of' the Holy Cross and immediately before the first cottage on your left you will find a stone stile, this leads behind the houses and directly to the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. The church and the old school make a beautiful setting; the fields to the right as you approach the church are carpeted with crocuses in early March and with daffodils later. The church is well worth a visit but like many other churches it is not normally open on, weekdays. The new school Trinity and St Michael is located next to the Language college. The new school and college are not part of our walk today.

Leave the churchyard to walk along the cobbled Church Street and turn left onto the main road beside the village cross. As you do so take a backward glance over your left shoulder at the ancient town Bridge then walk along the road to the road to the Wheatsheaf Inn and your starting point.