Hoghton walk (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hoghton walk

2:49pm Wednesday 20th May 2009

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Hoghton Tower made its very own piece of culinary history when the loin of beef which King James I enjoyed there was instantly knighted as in just he dubbed it ‘Sir Loin’.

Apart from hunting, the king also paid a visit to the de Hoghton-owned Alum mine at Woodfold.

Alum is found in a shale and is mainly composed of potassium and aluminium sulphates. It was used as a mordant. This prevented the colours in dyed fabrics from washing out. It was also essential in the production of paper and the tanning of leather.

There is no doubt that the monarch enjoyed his de Hoghton visit but this did not stop him from imposing a tax on the alum. Not much changes in the tax world does it? There is never any room for sentiment.

Follow Chapel Lane and take a careful look at the old cottages. During the Civil War of the 1640s parliamentary troops used these buildings as a barracks.

They were laying siege to Hoghton Tower, which was a Royalist stronghold. Find a footpath sign and cross a stile and continue uphill and through another stile into woodlands. Take care crossing the railway line which still links Preston and Blackburn. Descend to reach row of attractive cottages.

Pass beneath the impressive the high railway viaduct. This was built in the 1850s at a then enormous cost of £10,000 (it did not meet its budget price- what’s new?) It soars 110 feet (30 metres) above the river Darwen and is supported on three solid but graceful arches. Pass through another area of woodland before the route opens out and cross a stile. Climb a steep track through more trees and through a gate to reach the A6061.

Cross the road, turn left and follow the pavement for less than 100 yards. Turn right along the footpath and pass beneath a road bridge to reach the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Turn right and under a road bridge to find a very prominent stile on the right. Leave the towpath at this point and follow an obvious footpath through stiles to reach the A6061 at Riley Green. Head towards the Royal Oak Inn and negotiate several more stiles to reach Houghton Tower where there are lots of splendid old tree.

Cross the Hoghton Tower Drive and turn left along an obvious footpath to reach Chapel Lane. Turn left to reach the starting point of the walk.

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