Cuerden Valley, Caton and Crook O Lune

Clayton-le-Woods is a beautiful village that lies equidistant between the larger Lancastrian towns of Preston, Chorley and Blackburn. Its jewel in the crown is the 650-acre Cuerden Valley Park running through it, so find a spot in the on-site car park, take a cup of coffee and let's get exploring this green oasis.

The River Lostock runs directly through Cuerden Valley Park, and you can follow it straight down to take in the amazing scenery along the way. First you'll head towards the south end of the river and Lower Kem Mill.
Lancashire is famous for its former cotton industry, and by 1860 it was producing half the world's cotton. Lower Kem Mill is an old cotton bleachworks that was in operation for almost 150 years before burning down in 1914.
Today there are only remains of this once-thriving cotton mill, but it is nevertheless an excellent opportunity to explore the region's proud industrial history.

Follow the River Lostock in the direction you came from and you'll eventually arrive at Clayton Brook Reservoir, situated at the river's northern tip.
This picturesque spot houses amazing wildlife and perfect picnic spots at the edge of a stunning reservoir.

You've already got through a lot of walking today, so it should be time to grab a quick bite to eat.
At the Cuerden View Café you can enjoy lovingly-prepared food and drink with views overlooking the park. It's the perfect place to relax before you get back on the road.
Opening Hours Monday - Sunday: 9.30am - 4pm

The village of Caton is located within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times.
The Crook O Lune Picnic Site has a car park on site, so park up and let's get exploring!

The first landmark you'll pass on your route is the Crook o Lune Bridge. There are actually three bridges here; two viaducts that were converted into pedestrian bridges and a separate bridge for road traffic.
This spot is noted for its extraordinary views over Lune Valley. These views have been celebrated in literature and art by the likes of J. M. W. Turner, William Wilberforce, Thomas Gray and William Wordsworth.

This church was once a railway warehouse, which was a facility that rail workers used to store goods that were being distributed around the country. For more than a century, the railways earnt more income from this goods traffic than from passengers!
Nowadays many of these goods sheds have been closed down and put to a new use - like this one here. It's interesting to learn about the history of a seemingly unassuming building.

Be sure to take in some of the sights of Caton on the way to this picnic site, which lies at the opposite edge of the village. Take a little bit of time to enjoy the pleasant scenery around here and recharge at the café before making the short walk back into Caton.

The Ship Inn is probably the pick of pubs in Caton. It serves a varied menu that caters for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Opening Hours Mondays & Tuesdays: Closed Wednesdays & Thursdays: 12pm – 2pm, 5pm – 8pm Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 11pm Sunday: 12pm – 9pm

The Black Bull Inn is a 17th-century hotel at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Check-in, drop your bags off, and if you feel like it, there's still some time to explore the beautiful village of Sedbergh before you head off tomorrow.

Sedbergh is littered with friendly guesthouses, homely B&Bs and quaint village pubs, but The Thirsty Rambler is the local of choice this evening. Time to recharge before a day in the Dales tomorrow.
Opening Hours Monday - Wednesday: CLOSED Thursday: 5pm - 10pm Friday: 4pm - 11pm Sunday: 5pm - 10pm

The Black Bull Inn is a 17th-century hotel at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It's the perfect spot to get a decent night's rest before you head deeper into the Dales tomorrow.