Читать книгу The Ribble Way. A Northern England Trail онлайн

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The River Douglas has its source on the western flanks of Winter Hill and is the final tributary of the Ribble before it meets the open sea some 3 miles (4.8km) to the west.

This is the obstacle that prevents the Ribble Way from beginning at the coast, as the nearest crossing over the Douglas is the A59 bridge south of Tarleton, which would necessitate a lengthy and uninspiring detour from the course of the Ribble. During the early days of the Industrial Revolution the River Douglas was made navigable as far upriver as Wigan, so that coal could be transported to the sea for export around the coast and to Ireland.

After ½ mile (800m), swing right with the dyke as it drops alongside Longton Brook to a field access and livestock pens. Instead of simply crossing the culvert, the Ribble Way traces a circuitous route around the enclosures. Over consecutive stiles just to the right, briefly follow the hedge left to another stile. Tackling more stiles, cross a track and then the brook itself. Some 30 yards to the right along the opposite bank, a final stile leads into the corner of a large field. Following the fence away from the brook, maintain your direction as you later cross a farm track and another field, eventually regaining the embankment. The River Ribble soon appears ahead, the levee turning upstream beside it to take the Ribble Way on towards Preston.