Walking With A Purpose

Walking with a Purpose Rivington’s Hidden Gems

In 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

Horrobin Lane THE RIVINGTON

RIVINGTON TAP

or so up the hill where you’ll find the entrance to the Rivington Brewery Company.

A short distance along the access road walking past the campsite brings you out in front of the farm. THE

RIVINGTON BREWERY COMPANY

TAP is one of the area’s more recent additions to the pub scene and occupies a magnificent location on the banks of Lower Rivington Reservoir, offering spectacular views across to the Pigeon Tower and Rivington Pike (in fine weather!).

The brewery itself, based behind the tap room at Home Farm was formed in 2014 and has gone from strength to strength over recent years; a craft brewery that focuses on more modern beer styles. Cask and keg beers are always available and whilst you’re unlikely to find a crystal-clear pint, what you can expect are innovative beers packed with huge flavour and character. There is limited seating in the tap itself but plenty outside both covered and open to the elements.

Returning to the lodge our walk takes us along the banks of the reservoir, past the filter beds and farms to the left before entering a wooded area that soon opens up to the right to reveal a magnificent residence known as, “The Street”. The building dates from 1850, but there’s been a house on the site for centuries, its name derived from the family who owned the estate, as far back as the 13th century. It was converted into several individual luxury residences some years ago but remains a hugely impressive building nonetheless and is probably the most striking landmark on the shores of Rivington.

The road continues past several estate buildings including a Coachman’s and Gardener’s cottage and eventually brings you back out onto Knowsley Lane alongside another lodge house. Your car should be parked to the right but turn left and after a short stroll you’ll find the rather idyllic YEW TREE INN, a grocer’s shop in the 1800s but very much a thriving country inn today.

The Inn, with its fabulous views across the reservoir to Rivington Pike and commitment to championing local produce has long been a favoured destination in this area and is a supporter of local awardwinning brewery Blackedge, who are based in Horwich just a few miles down the road. You’re sure to receive a warm welcome whether dining or just stopping for a quick drink. Dogs are welcome too and expect to find a selection of well-kept cask ales often including the aptly named Pike or Anglezarke on handpump.

For those in need of further refreshment the Bay Horse at the top of Babylon Lane, Lucianos at the Millstone at Anderton or the Black Horse at Limbrick are all just a few minutes’ drive away.

This will be a rewarding walk whichever pubs you choose to visit along the way and whilst not the longest, it will undoubtedly be thirsty work and brings to mind the wise words of the writer and philosopher, Gilbert Keith Chesterton, “Let a man walk ten miles steadily on a hot summer’s day along a dusty English road, and he will soon discover why beer was invented.”

Fingers crossed for the weather then. Cheers!