Walk 1

The Castle through Lever Park

The walk is mostly through wooded areas, but there are good views to be gained, especially from the castle.

The castle was built by Lord Leverhulme between 1912 - 1925 and was a replica of Liverpool Castle that existed from 1235 - 1725. The folly at Rivington was built to be a ruin and there was never any intention of completing it.

With your back to the entrance of Hall Barn, turn right and follow the path behind the barn. At the first intersection of paths take the right-hand route and again at the second interchange, take the right turning. As you descend the gentle slope you pass Rivington Hall to the right. After 50 yards a track veers off to the right, however, ignore and it continue forward. Continue on this wide track until you reach a junction where 5 paths meet. Take the third left.

Continue along this path and you will come to a stone wall on your right. As you are approach a farm on the right, there is an old gate post and kissing gate on the left, Again ignore this gate and continue. The track becomes a mettled road and starts to descend. After 30 yards you arrive at the Horwich - Rivington road. Take the path immediately across the road and continue until you arrive at three wooden posts.

Pass between the posts and turn right after the house and continue along the avenue. Here, the woods open up into pasture. The avenue ends at a T junction where you take the left hand track.

Very soon, the castle comes into view on the right. Follow the path to the castle. Once inside the castle there are goods views across Lower Rivington reservoir to Blackrod on the skyline. Leave the castle by the main gateway and turn immediately left and pass the corner tower. Here take the right hand path and shortly several paths meet. Turn left here and the take the next left path. This is through trees and the reservoir is to the left. Stay on this path until it rejoins the main road after half a mile. Now turn left and walk along the road for a hundred yards an on the left the is an information centre, toilets and Great House Barn. The barn has a cafe and souvenir shop. Leaving the barn cross the road and follow the signs to Hall Barn and back to the car park.