Name: Rivington Pike
Rating: 5.0

Rivington Pike

Rivington Lane, Rivington, Bolton BL6 7SB, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Rivington Pike is one of the best viewpoints in North West England. There are numerous ways to reach it, but the route through Rivington Terraced Gardens on the western side is the most popular.

There’s a myriad of paths through Rivington Terraced Gardens that lead to Rivington Pike. This walk follows a circular route that takes in interesting sights such as the Japanese Garden and Lever Bridge. It’s a fairly busy route, especially on Good Friday when it’s a local tradition to walk to the summit.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

This walk begins at Rivington Hall Barn. This is easy to find. Just drive to Rivington Lane and on reaching the Great House Barn, turn right on the driveway opposite.
From the car park, make your way towards the barn and take the path to the left. This leads to an open area of grassland known as Breres Meadow. The wooded hillside you can see from here is Rivington Terraced Gardens.
After entering the Rivington Terraced Gardens, head south along the crazy paving footpath. Soon you will see a flight of stairs on your right. These lead to one of several summer houses dotted around the gardens. Take a quick detour and explore if you like.
Continuing south you’ll cross a ravine and pass a series of man-made caves. This is more or less the southern tip of the gardens. From here follow the paths up the hillside to reach the Japanese Garden. There’s a bench here if you need a break.
Take the path that runs along the southern edge of the Japanese Garden and you’ll come to the area where the kitchen gardens once were. Here you’ll also see the ruins of a stone bothy (a shelter for gardeners and workers).
Continue up the steep path leading from the kitchen gardens and you’ll be approaching the eastern edge of the Rivington Terrace Gardens. Look to your left and you’ll see another summer house.
Go through the gate at the top of the path and you’ll find yourself on Belmont Road. Turn left and walk for about 10 yards and you’ll come to the track leading to Rivington Pike. The Pike Tower is now clearly visible.
The track to Rivington Pike is fairly steep. There’s a bench at the bottom if you need a rest before the ascent. Once at the top you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views. If the weather is clear you’ll be able to see as far as Cheshire, the Lake District and the Isle of Man.
To return to Rivington Barn you could retrace your steps. However, if you want to see more of the gardens and surrounding area you can take the path heading south from the Pike Tower.
If you decide to take the path south, you’ll be back on Belmont Road in about five minutes. Turn right and walk a hundred yards and then take the path on your left. This will take you to Royton Lane, the main thoroughfare through Rivington Terraced Gardens.
Walk north on Royton Lane, back into the gardens, and you’ll eventually pass under Lever Bridge (also known as Seven Arch Bridge). Continue along the track for around half a mile and you’ll arrive at Lower House Car Park. There’s often an ice cream van here.