Twiston walk

I have two reasons for repeating a walk which I know so well.

These were firstly to study toads and secondly to find out more about Twiston in the days of the old cotton industry.

Downham is by far the best place to start the walk.

1. From the car park bear left to reach the bridge over Downham Beck.

Most people concentrate on feeding the mallards but serious birdwatchers can enjoy the sightings of dipper, grey wagtail and from mid April onwards an eye should be kept out for common sandpipers which are arriving from their wintering grounds in Africa.

Ascend through the village between lovely old Headloom weavers’ cottages which provided the backdrop for the TV series Born and Bred.

Pass the old school, which was the hospital in the series.

2. At the summit of the hill is the splendid old church of St Leonard on the left. Turn sharp right onto the Twiston Road and pass the Assheton Arms on the left and the Post Office tea rooms also on the left.

Follow the narrow twisting road for about one mile but do not rush because there are lots of interesting plants in the hedgerow.

3. The road descends into the now tiny hamlet of Twiston with a stream running through it.

It was here that on the April 3 I found a lovely slice of Lancashire humour.

A farmer had placed a notice which read “Please cross carefully — randy toads crossing.”

Look out for a gate on the right which leads alongside a stream on the right with a pond on the left which is obviously the breeding site for the toads, as well as frogs and newts.

This is a splendid diversion and the place to discover an early chapter in the history of the Lancashire cotton industry.

The monks at Whalley Abbey at a water poured cotton mill at Twiston as early as 1327 but by 1821 there was quite a large cotton mill operating and in 1871 there were 29 people employed.

The workforce had increased had increased to 34 by 1881, but there was a disastrous fire in 1882 and the mill was demolished.

All that remains of the mill is what is now called Twiston Mill from which is overlooked by the very pretty mill lodge.

Return to the Downham to Twiston Road and descend this to reach a stile leading alongside Ings Beck. Continue along the obvious footpath to reach Downham Mill.

Here can be seen the remains of a 17th century mill.

I have some work to do here to discover the history of the mill which must have been a rival to that at Twiston.

I would be interested to heard from any reader which has any details of this aspect of our history.

4. From Dowham Mill follow the track to reach the Downham Road , turn left.

5. This reaches the Minor Road to Chatburn with the impressive Downham Hall.

Turn left here and look to the side of the road atwhat is thought to be a Roman gravestone.

Approach the church on the right and descend to reach the car park.

Over the last few years this car park has developed into one of the best in Lancashire as is the area around Downham Green where there are seats overlooking the stream.

How to get there: From the A59 turn off to Chatburn.

At the old toll house now a famous ice cream shop follow the road to Downham.

Pass St Leonard’s Church on the right and the Assheton Arms on the left descend through the village and turn right over the bridge to reach the tree car park.

Distance: Five miles Time Allowed: 2½ hours