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Car Park beside the bridge over theRiver Wenning at Hornby SD 5851 6835

Lancaster - Skipton - Leeds

3 miles (4.7 km)11/2 hours

Mainly level walking through fields on goodground with a number of stiles apart fromthe short section through the woods nearLoyn bridge which has a number of steps,boardwalks and a steep ladder stile over

wet, muddy ground.At times it will beimpossible to pass under the bridge,however, there is a concessionary footpathto avoid the wood and bridge.The returnfrom Loyn bridge can be along the road

which has no footpath so you may preferto return by the riverbank.After prolongedwet weather and in winter, the fields andriverbank will be quite muddy. Boots orWellies recommended.

Pub, Post Office,Bus stop, Shop

Start Point Distance/Time Terrain

Key to Facilities

www.forestofbowland.com

SD 5851 6835

SD 5722 6843

SD 5821 6951

SD 5828 6952

SD 5822 6975

GPS Waypoints (OS grid refs)

Hornby Circular

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OS Explorer OL41

0.5 Mile0 Miles0 Km 1 Km

About This Walk

that protected the bridge. Note theline of mature trees that form a mostpleasant border to the road. On themain street before you cross the riverand back to your starting point, youwill pass Hornby castle gates. See ifyou can see a cat and a rat on theentrance pillars.These also figure onthe Victorian fountain at the end ofMain Street.

Hornby Circular

GPS: SD 5851 6835If you are arriving by car then park in thecar park next to the bridge over the riverWenning opposite Hornby Institute.Walkup and over the bridge and at the farend pass through a gate on the left justbefore the row of cottages.Walk alongthe flagged path with wooden handrailto follow the riverbank westwards.Aftera few hundred yards, leave the riverbankto climb over the embankment on awooden bridge then over a stone stileto continue along the riverbank withopen fields to the right hand side. Nowcome to a wooden stile in the fenceline after which you will hear the rivermore as it passes over a gravely bed. Asthe river Wenning approaches and joinsthe river Lune, the bank opens out toallow views down the Lune valley withsteep sided woods to the west.

GPS: SD: 5722 6843Now turn north to head along the bankof the river Lune which is wide andtranquil. Continue underneath the bankingclose to Priory farm as the river turnsfurther eastwards.The bank here is wetterand rougher where cattle have troddendown the edge.You will see the 3 gracefulstone arches of Loyn bridge ahead.

GPS: SD: 5821 6951When you reach a small woodlandyou can continue into the woods over

a wooden stile and along and overboardwalks, steps and a steep ladderstile. Pass under Lyon Bridge, if thewater level allows this, before climbingto the right and ascending to a farmtrack on stone steps.

However when the River Lune levelsare high this route is impassable thustake the signed concessionary path tothe right.

Concessionary path avoiding Loynbridge. The concessionary path headsaway from the river bank and followsthe fence line up a banking under alarge oak before emerging into a fieldover 2 narrow wooden stiles.

GPS: SD: 5828 6952Keep to the fence line and it is a shortdistance to the road which is reachedvia another wooden stile.The road atthis point has no footpath so take care.

GPS: SD: 5822 6975This area is the site of 'Castle Stede', aMotte and Bailey castle and one of thebest examples in Lancashire. A fewyards will take you to a gate onto theroad and there is a narrow gap to theside for walkers.Turn left now and takethe road back to Hornby.Take greatcare here as the road is narrow andthere is no footpath. On the left is awell preserved World War 2 pill box

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Walk Description

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▲ Goosanders

▲ Oystercatcher with chick

This walk follows the river Wenninguntil it joins the Lune and then followsthat river upstream before returning toHornby on the road.The Wenning hasstretches where the river bed is gravelyand you can hear the river rushing andbreaking over the stones.This is idealspawning conditions for trout andsalmon.The Lune is deeper and quieterin this area.You are likely to see heronsand ducks all year round,oystercatchers particularly in the springwhen they nest on gravely beds nearto the river and migrating geese in thewinter.Tree creepers may be seen andcormorants. In summer there will bedamselflies and dragonflies.There aresome magnificent trees to be seen onthis walk. In particular, the Wenning islined with mature willows near Hornbyand there is a fine line of oaks on theroad leading back from Loyn bridge.

www.forestofbowland.comDebbie Yare

Shelia Carter