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L a n c a s h i r e W a l k s Croston It is a brave picture editor that omits a photograph of Croston from any calendar of Lancashire views. The arrangement of church, ancient bridge and the river combine into a striking scene that immediately arrests the eye. Add to this the fact that there is hardly a decade in the past four hundred years that hasn’t left its mark on the village’s vernacular architecture. Often such a mixture of styles can produce an eyesore, but in Croston old and new blend in pleasing harmony. It is well worth visiting in its own right. This walk starts in the village then follows the Yarrow to its confluence with the River Douglas before returning by way of the moss. Start: Car park off Town Road Croston (Thursday to Sunday) or on Town Road itself From Junction 28 M6 join A49 to Wigan. At Euxton follow A581 to Southport. This will take you into the village centre. The car park is on the right behind the Lord Nelson. Distance: 7 Km or 4½ miles Time: 2 – 2½ hours Terrain: Flat. Mainly farm tracks with some road walking. 1. Car park to Great Hanging Bridge. (3 Km or 2 miles) From the car park (Pic 1) return to Town Road and turn left towards the church. Cross the ancient packhorse bridge across the Yarrow (Pic 2) and turn right into the Hillocks. Follow the lane between rustic brick barns (Pic 3) and turn right at the junction. At the next junction cross the road and take a short ginnel between houses.(Pic 4) Turn right and follow the street to where it joins the Southport Road by some Georgian almshouses. Turn left onto the A581 (Meadow Lane). For the time being it is best keeping to the left side where there is a narrow pavement. Make the most of the bridge as it crosses the railway – it is virtually the highest point on the walk. Continue to a slight bend then cross the road, taking due care since it can be quite busy, to a stile on top of the embankment. (Pic 5) The River Yarrow soon meets the River Lostock and then, after passing under pylons, joins the River Douglas. Follow the embankment around on its sweep to the left. Here you are barely above sea level and but for the embankments the area would be awash. (Pic 6) Further along on the opposite bank you will see a pumping station that helps to drain the rich farmland. Further along you reach Great Hanging Bridge. (Pic 7) 2. Great Hanging Bridge to Croston (4 Km or 2½ miles) Cross the road and follow a track as it bears left in front of a works depot. When the track crosses a ditch turn right. (Pic 8) This is Shepherd’s Lane. Keep on it for approximately 500m – 7 or 8 mins, and then follow the main track as it bends to the left towards the electricity pylons. (Pic 9) At the level crossing take the advice of the warning signs (Pic 10) There are not many trains along the Preston to Ormskirk line but it would only take one to turn you into coarse mince! Keep ahead at the next junction of tracks past Moss House Farm. (Pic 11) The track now begins to upgrade itself and by the time it reaches Sumner’s Farm is fully metalled. (Pic 12) The lane swings to the left towards the village with hedges on either side, the first hint of enclosures since the walk commenced. (Pic 13) The lane will bring you to the edge of Croston. After almost 1 Km pass a farm entrance on the right. At the next corner turn right towards the cemetery (Pic 14) and then left along a footpath that crosses the Yarrow (Pic 15) and leads through the old village school to the churchyard. Bear left into Church Street. At the end turn left to return to the car.
