Waddington

From historic almshouses to the moorland heights

- Walk devised and described by Bob Clare

The Ribble Valley has a rich inheritance of alms houses built in different ages and different styles all dedicated to providing shelter for the needy and vulnerable before the creation of the welfare state.

Ribchester, Hurst Green and Waddington each have fine examples of this philan-thropic impulse motivated to do "good works" thereby ensuring a straightforward entry into Paradise for their donors. Waddington Alms houses established in the 18th century but since mod-ernised is a gated communi-ty of 24 dwellings arranged in a quadrangle around a large green complete with chapel where residents might pray for the soul of their benefactor.

The Almshouses in Wad-dington are passed on the route below which climbs up to Braford Fell before re-turning to the valley at West Bradford.

Start/finish: Wadding-ton Village centre BB7 3HP

Fact FileDistance: 6 1/2 milesTime: Allow 3-4 hoursGrade: Moderate. Al-though the route involves 800ft of ascent up to Sour Dock Hill it is a gradual climb.

Map: OS OL41 The Forest of Bowland