Walking with a Purpose
Rivington’s Hidden Gems
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n the south-east corner of the Central Lancashire CAMRA area lie the parishes of Anglezarke and Rivington, both popular outdoor destinations with striking scenery around their respective reservoirs, which were built in the 1850s to supply the local area and there’s certainly no shortage of things to do. Many people plan a walk or ride over Rivington Pike, search for old archaeological sites, do some rock climbing at Lester Mill quarry or turn their hand to water sports but for me, this walk ticks all the boxes and allows you to just relax, enjoy the picturesque landscape and while away a few hours discovering three of Rivington’s hidden gems. The last 18 months has proved to be a difficult time for everyone and for many, a time we’d rather forget, but the opportunity to get out and breathe in some fresh air in the countryside was still an option and a welcome tonic. Thankfully, we are now able to embrace the resumption of some semblance of normality and to walk outdoors with a real sense of purpose. This is a rural area but we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sample three real ale pubs along the way, each quite different but outstanding in their own right and all of whom have recently been awarded Good Beer Guide status in the latest 2021 edition. Food is available at all three pubs. The walk itself is suitable for all ages and abilities and can be started from either Knowsley Lane on the south end of Anglezarke reservoir or from Horrobin Lane, which dissects Upper and Lower Rivington reservoirs. In either case there is generally ample free parking along the road. For the purposes of this article, we make our way to Knowsley Lane, 100 yards past the Yew Tree Inn. Having parked up walk eastwards to
a sharp left bend in the road across which you’ll find a gate leading onto a footpath that makes its way uphill along the side of the overflow from the Yarrow Reservoir above. This is the only significant uphill section on the walk and is relatively short-lived. At the top you meet a stony track and turn right, making your way gently downhill between the raised embankments of the reservoir and Street Wood but will soon find yourself walking out of the wood with fields either side where the views really start to open up. A few hundred yards down the track you’ll approach a metal gate. At the junction bear to the right and work your way down to Horrobin Lane and then, it’s decision time! Immediately on your left is THE RIVINGTON, which is a tearoom and bar attached to the Rivington Bowling Club on the site of the old Black-a-Moor’s Head (demolished in 1903 so I’m told). It has a full pub licence; non-members are welcome and there’s a single room with a bar serving two real ales; Abbeydale Deception and another from Abbeydale (or occasionally one from another regional brewery). Whilst Abbeydale brewery is based over the border in Yorkshire, real ale
aficionados will appreciate this isn’t always a bad thing, and in this case, the landlord is showcasing a brewery that produces consistently fine ales predominantly of the pale and hoppy variety. In this respect it differs from our other two pubs who are dedicated to championing local beers and provides some great variety along the way. There is seating indoors and outside around the bowling green, as well as a beer garden in an elevated position overlooking the reservoir. The walk then takes us across the reservoir along Horrobin Lane and as the road starts to rise, an old lodge called Horrobin Cottage can be found on the right alongside a narrow road known as “The Street”, which is your next turning. However, before doing so it would be wise to walk a further 100 yards
Useful Information Distance: approx. 2 ¾ miles OS Map: Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors – Blackburn Darwen and Accrington
YARROW RESERVOIR
YEW TREE INN
UPPER RIVINGTON RESERVOIR THE RIVINGTON
ane
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bi rro Ho
RIVINGTON TAP
www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk
Ale Cry
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