THIS pleasant riverside stroll links two of Bowland's most famous villages along the pastoral valley of the River Hodder.

Slaidburn and Newton were important centres in medieval times when they were at the heart of the medieval Forest of Bowland, a vast tract of of royal hunting land governed by its own laws. Today the two well-preserved villages are largely made up of 17th and 18th century streets and houses. The Hark to Bounty Inn at Slaidburn was once a medieval court where forest disputes were settled and the Parkers Arms in Newton takes its name from the chief manorial family of Bowland who have their ancestral home at Browsholme Hall. The walk follows flat riverside pastures for virtually all the way, though numerous stiles and kissing gates need to be negotiated and walking boots are essential.

DISTANCE: 5 miles

START: Slaidburn village car park (OS Grid Ref. 714524). Slaidburn is situated on the B6478, eight miles north of Clitheroe. The car park is on the east side of the village overlooking the road bridge over the River Hodder.

Use these route directions in conjunction with the relevant 0S Forest of Bowland map (OL41)

FROM the car park head towards the river on the opposite side of the road and pick up the signed footpath alongside the Methodist Chapel. This leads on to a riverside path and two kissing gates are soon reached. Ignore the first gate but go through the second and follow a permissive path which leads straight along the river bank. Further stiles are crossed and this path is followed for about mile until it reaches a sewage works.

Turn sharp right here and cross stiles and a footbridge to join a track. Turn left along the track for a short distance before turning left along the path running alongside the sewage works which leads back to the river. Continue alongside the river until the path rejoins the track at an old bridge over the river.

Cross the Hodder via the bridge but leave the track immediately on the far side of the bridge by bearing slightly left and heading directly towards an old footbridge and kissing gate on the far side of the field. Go through the gate and continue directly ahead across a large field to go through another old kissing gate in the left field corner. Walk along the next field edge with the fence to your right and pass through another gate to join a lane by a farmhouse.

Turn right and follow this lane for about mile. It passes farm buildings and meanders left then right over a stream before climbing uphill to reach footpath signposts on either side of the lane. Take the footpath signed in the hedge on the right hand side of the lane. This goes through a gate and follows a track downhill between fields. The track ends but continue downhill along the left hand side of a narrow field.

At the bottom left corner of this field cross over a step stile and rejoin the river. Follow the riverside towards a stone stile and gate to the left of the road bridge at Newton. Join the road and turn right, crossing the bridge to walk uphill to explore Newton village and the Parkers Arms.

The walk back to Slaidburn continues on the north (Newton village) side of the river. So do not re-cross the road bridge but take the stone steps down to the river on the village side of the road bridge. The waymarked path runs now with the river close by on your right. Cross stiles and the path skirts woodland to reach a kissing gate.

Continue straight ahead from here to rejoin the track below Dunnow Hall built in the 1830s. Keep to the track which heads back up the valley below woodland and heads towards the sewage works. Follow the track all the way to the B road and turn right to walk along the road into Slaidburn village. Alternatively, retrace your steps along the riverside path on the far side of the sewage works. Either way, the 13th century church of St Andrew is worth a visit and this can be reached from the riverside by path by turning left when the first set of kissing gates are reached.

IN THE VALLEY: The River Hodder links the villages of Slaidburn and Newton