The Witton Weavers Way – 16th August 2026

Walk Leader – Rodney Swarbrick

14 Walkers and a dog, Noola, met on the canal bridge at Riley Green and took the path onto the towpath walking away from the bridge. After a long period of intense heat, we were pleased to find that today was significantly cooler, although still warm. Going under a couple of bridges, we turned off before bridge no. 93 to enter an area formerly occupied by four mills. There was the Star Paper Mill, Sun Paper Mill, The Moon Corn Mill and The Eclipse Weaving Mill which operated 173 looms. All the mills have been demolished with the last one finding its demise in 2008, but the site was never re-developed. The footpath eventually came out onto a road where we crossed over, turned left, and walked a little way before taking a stoney path to the right. Walking uphill, we went through a Kissing gate into a field where we walked across at 45 degrees to another kissing gate and started going downhill across some tricky rough ground, but young Jack, as always was on hand to help the ladies traverse the route safely.

We again entered a field which we again crossed at 45 degrees and surprisingly, despite all the hot weather, was quite waterlogged. Noola, the dog, had a great time chasing its ball through the water and getting thoroughly wet. Going through another kissing gate, we found ourselves walking along the River Darwen, crossing a couple of bridges we came to a weir with a fish leap. This was thought to be an ideal place for a coffee stop and a group photo. The wildlife seen to this point, was a squirrel, a number of grouse and then during the stop, for the second walk running, a couple of Kingfishers visited us.

Walking on again, we went under a very tall railway bridge which we had pointed out, still had visible builder’s marks which was etched onto the stones in order for the builders to get paid for the work they had done. We then came to a Hamlet where we turned left to go up a steep hill. Rodney was informed by several people that this was advertised as a basically flat walk – It was very much not flat, but we all managed. We found ourselves walking alongside the perimeter wall to Houghton Towers, the ancestral home to the De Houghtons. The Wall led us to the driveway and an impressive view of the Manor house. At this point, we were told the story about when King James 1 visited as guest of the De Houghtons in 1617 and at the banquet put on for him, they served up a loin of beef, which King James enjoyed so much, he took a sword and knighted the loin of beef and so to this day is called a sirloin of beef.

Setting off again, the route went a little more uphill before grassy fields gently falling back down and coming back to a road beside The Royal Oak pub. There was a short walk then back to the cars after completing a five-mile walk. It was agreed that this had been a very interesting walk and we thanked Rodney for organizing the day.

Report by – John Waites

Next walk   -  Sunday 6th September

Start time - 1.45 pm

 pm

Take a look back on previous walks - click on this link - www.midgewalkers.co.uk