I enjoyed this walk at the beginning of May which came about partly by design and partly by accident.

I was reading a book over Easter on the old turnpike toll houses and bridges. It stated that there were no working toll bridges left today.

Actually, this isn’t the case and it led me to follow one of my favourite walks.

The route I followed was close to the vilage of Great Eccleston, which has a splendid market square and where the old inns still offer a warm welcome.

1. At the rear of the Cartford Hotel look out for a ladder stile close to the River Wyre.

The footpath then sweeps away with the river on the left.

This reaches a hedged path which is an excellent point to see an English hedgerow at its best. In May and June there are flowers aplenty and birds nesting in the shelter of the trees.

A gradual ascent leads to the A586.

2. Cross the A586 and continue along an obvious footpath, the well-named Back Lane, en route to Great Eccleston.

Pass through rows of cottages dating to the 17th and 18th centuries which are well worth a detailed study.

Pass through some fascinating back streets which lead on to the market square. by turning right.

In the Domesday survey the village was referred to as Eglistun, which means “the place of the church” An ancient church (possibly Saxon) has obviously long vanished.

The present church of St Anne dates to 1723 but it was substantially enlarged in the 19th century.

Across the main square, the Black Bull and the White Bull face each other and both still cater well for visitors. Great Eccleston was on the coaching route between Lancaster and the Fylde.

3. Follow the main street until the route reaches the A586. Cross this, turn left and after a few yards pass through a gateway close to a bus shelter.

This leads to a substantial hedgerow close to the water treatment works. Here there is a stile.

Cross this and follow a well-known and obvious path which climbs gradually towards the River Wyre.

4. Once the Wyre embankment is reached, there is an excellent chance to birdwatch. Look out for dipper, grey wagtail and kingfisher which are all resident on this stretch.

During the summer they are joined by the common sandpiper, swallow and sand martin.

There are also excellent views to the Trough of Bowland.

Turn left and cross three stiles p[assing close to a run of buildings and approach a substantial footbridge.

Ignore this and swing left along the riverbank. The toll bridge is reach after about a mile and takes you to the Cartland Hotel, your starting point.

How to get there

From the A586 approach Great Eccleston from and easterly direction.

Look for a sign on the opposite side of the road indicating Cartford Toll Bridge and Pilling. A very pretty, narrow road leads to the Cartford Hotel.

There is on-street parking nearby, the pub car park is for patrons only.

Starting point: At the Cartford Hotel there is a toll bridge which has operated cince the 18th century and a small charge is made to this day. The Cartford Hotel phone number is 01995 670166.

Length of walk: 2.5miles.

Terrain: A gentle undulating walk across lush green fields seen at their best at this time of year.