Lever Park & Rivington
Bolton, Rivington
Type of walk
Hilly, Forest
What's here
Free Parking, Off Lead Areas, On Lead Areas, Pathed Routes, Animals On Route, Water On Route, Toilets, Refreshments Available
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Description
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Location
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Nature Reserve
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I am surprised by the lack of Dog walks on this website, mainly all down south. As an aid to my fellow dog walkers here in the northwest, Id like to add a few really good dog walks for all ages and fitness levels. My first recommended walk is Rivington, nr Chorley. Rivington Pike is a hill summit on Winter Hill, part of the West Pennine Moors, overlooking the village of Rivington in Lancashire, England. The nearest towns are Chorley and Horwich. The Pike is a prominent local landmark which derives its name from the Old English meaning the rough or rugged hill and pike, meaning a pointed eminence.Go round the right side of Hall Barn to a red-brick house then down the drive, between ponds, and on down an avenue of beech trees. Keep straight on and cross the busy road to Great House Barn. Walk down the track away from it, towards the lake, then go left by some iron railings. Skirt the woodland conservation area and return to the lakeshore. Keep to the lower path, which leads to The Castle. From the castle gate take the long track running straight away. Just before a barrier, with a car park beyond, go left on a short track to the road then straight up the track opposite. This track, sometimes a bit muddy, climbs steadily up the left side of a wood before angling left to join a wide gravel track. Where this reaches a crest, go sharply back right on a path below a gorse-covered slope. This meets a stony track. Go left through the gate and steadily up the track. Keep on climbing steadily as the gorse thins out and the track doubles back right near a gate (this leads into the Terraced Gardens). The tower on the summit of Rivington Pike soon appears, a lot closer now than it was before. You go through a gate and rough paths climb up left directly towards the tower but it's a lot less steep to stick to the track then go right by a prominent signpost where the mast on Winter Hill also comes into view. Go slightly downhill to a track on the left just beyond a clump of rhododendrons. Climb this stony track through a couple of curves then finish straight up on eroded paths to the tower. Descend stony steps in front of the tower then more steps cutting the corner of the track. Then join the track, almost level now, to a gate just above a toilet block. Go right, above rhododendrons, and descend slightly to the tall, narrow Dove Cote. From this, backtrack for about 100yds (91m) to a fork and take the lower track between some stone gateposts. This leads into the Terraced Gardens. You can wander and explore pleasantly here for hours and the described route is just one suggestion. The track leads to a broad level space with the remains of a tile floor, site of a substantial bungalow. Just beyond this, go down steps to a flagged path. Where it splits go left and down more steps and out on to a balcony. Go down and left along the track below, then right through a small arch and down more steps. Cross a rough track and continue down beside some ruins. Curl down below them and there's a pool on the left, complete with waterfall and grotto. Go down through the rough stone arch and cross a wider path to descend a narrower one slanting to the right. Keep descending in the same general direction, at the same easy gradient, until the track swings left as the slope begins to ease. Go straight down across a field then through a gate into woodland again. Keep straight on then swing right on a track flanked by a wooden fence. When you reach some buildings pass them on your left-hand side and go down left back to the car park. What to look for There are still pockets of farmland in Lever Park but before Lever acquired it the area was wholly agricultural. The two outstanding relics of this are Hall Barn and Great House Barn, both probably 16th century in origin and, though considerably altered, remain fine examples of cruck-framed construction, which uses massive timber trusses. Most of the large trees in the park are around 100 years old. Where to eat and drink Great House Barn has a tea room with a good selection of cakes, but no ale. For this, head up 'over the top', by Winter Hill, to Belmont and the Black Dog Inn. Food is good and the Holt's beer well kept. The nearby Wright's Arms, up the A675 northwards, is also recommended. Summary A straightforward walk, though steep in places, taking in a superb viewpoint.
Distance 3.7 miles (6km) Minimum time 1hr 30min Ascent/gradient 804ft (245m) Level of difficulty Easy Paths Mostly clear tracks, well-marked paths Landscape Managed woodlands, rougher moors and formal gardens Suggested map aqua3 OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors Start/finish SD 635128 Dog friendliness Can mostly run free, but be careful crossing Rivington Lane and watch out for sheep on moors Parking At Hall Barn, in Lever Park Public toilets Near car park and just below highest point
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Lever Park & Rivington, Bolton, Rivington
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Comments (9)
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reecesanford
11 years ago
Didnt exactly follow your route but want to thank you for pointing out the area. The views, sites and ruins are amazing. I agree the lack of walks in the area are poor. We got our 11 month old Springer Spaniel in June 2012 and would love to know of suitable places to take her where she can roam off lead. The local parks to us are great but we struggle to find other places. Thanks -
spanielcrazy
11 years ago
Hi There, and thanks for leaving a very positive comment on my Review, You could try in the area The Reservoir @ Rivington, Anglezarke or White Coppice Car park at Anglezarke. From Junction 9 M61 take A674 towards Blackburn. Turn right for Heapey and White Coppice. At White Coppice follow signs for Rivington and Anglezarke. After passing viewpoint and small car park descend sharply towards reservoir. At bottom of the incline turn right into the car park. As For the more adventurous White Coppice Cricket Club The Green White Coppice Lancashire PR6 9DE Free Car Parking the road to the club can be a bit wild! as it is mainly a gravel track Park the car at the club, follow the path to the gates at the top of the Cricket Pitch, you can either turn left or go straight on here, as Its mainly a circular track. Id say its in the region of a 4 or 5 mile walk, plenty of dog walkers and plenty of Spaniel-ing to be done, be careful of the sheep in the field, use a good lead where necessary I dont know where you are from, but We have found the beauty of walk is getting out there and exploring Have a look at the link Link → Mark -
reecesanford
11 years ago
We are from Northern Moor near Sale. It was only a 25 mins drive to Lever Park and now i cant wait to show my wife the route we walked. Thanks for the other information. -
spanielcrazy
11 years ago
Lyme Park in Stockport Is Excellent for Woofie Walks, I can also recommend Tandle Hill & Daisy Nook Daisy Nook Country Park is located on the border of Oldham and Tameside. It is surrounded by Oldham Road (A627), Newmarket Road and Stannybrook Road. The main car park is located by the visitor centre just off Stannybrook Road. Additional car parks are at Crime Lake and Bardsley off the A627. Toilets and refreshments The main visitor centre is found just off Stannybrook Road with a café, toilets and a Countryside Ranger Office located within the centre. Just off the car park there is a new children’s play area and picnic tables. -
vulpecula
11 years ago
Try Dovestones reservoir near Greenfield. For a water dog welcome to heaven. M60 to Denton then Ashton, Stalybridge, Mossley to Greenfield. From a local lad now in Staffordshire. -
Ema77
4 years ago
Could walk it 1000 times and not get bored -
Frozenpenguine
3 years ago
Lots of exploring to be done -
WesAvo
2 years ago
Great walk, can be there for a few hours, nice walk with different views on route. Big car park. -
GAB
2 years ago
Nice place for a short or long walk.
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How to get there
Address
Horrobin Ln, Rivington, Bolton BL6 7SE, UK View on Google
what3words address
///backs.sedative.trail View on w3w
Location details
Rivington Ln Horwich, Bolton BL6 7SB
Nearby dog walks
Darwen, Tockholes
Roddlesworth Reservoirs And Tockholes Plantation
4 · Forest·Dog walk
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