Croston – Bridges, Paths and Village History

For a stay in Croston, you can focus on several specific themes: historic bridges, paths through the village and countryside, and Croston Moor. The structures offer different historical and architectural points of interest, while each path highlights different destinations. When planning your trip, you can choose whether to explore bridges and local history, follow one of the named routes, or focus on the landscape.

Bridges between Architecture and History

Town Bridge is a public road bridge. The year 1682 is inscribed on the western parapet cap. Croston Mill Bridge has a different timeline: it dates from the late 17th century and was widened in the early to mid-18th century. This offers a comparison between a specific date marked on Town Bridge and the approximate construction period and subsequent structural alteration of Croston Mill Bridge.

The other bridges can also be distinguished by their function and historical context. Great Hanging Bridge is a public road bridge over the new course of the River Douglas. Croston Station Bridge is an intact, carefully executed overbridge with an elliptical arch; it was designed by Joseph Locke, John Errington and Sturges Meek. Fishery Bridge, in turn, forms part of the historic route between Rufford, Croston and Bretherton. These features highlight different aspects: a road bridge and river course, architectural form and design, or a link to a historic route.

Paths with Different Points of Interest

The route of the Croston Countryside and Village Walk itself takes in two settings: it runs partly through the village and partly through the countryside. By contrast, the Eccleston Church to Croston Corn Mill Walk has two specific points of interest: it passes Croston Corn Mill and crosses a bridge over the River Yarrow. The village and countryside on the one hand, and the mill and river crossing on the other, offer specific points of comparison. If you would like to include a walk in your plans, you can match these highlights to your interests.

The Croston's Croft and Bishop's Chester Wood Trail is behind St Michael and All Angels Church in Croston and includes a Gruffalo statue. The church is in the Croston Conservation Area.

Church and Recreation Park

The Recreation Park is also associated with two different historical dates. The existing play equipment was replaced in 2017, and the park was officially reopened in June 2019. The first date refers to the play equipment, while the second marks the park’s reopening. If you are interested in local recreational spaces, these dates help distinguish between the two events.

Croston Moor

Croston Moor offers a distinct connection to the landscape and agriculture. One part of the moor has fertile, black peat soil, where wheat, barley and various vegetables are grown. In this area, soil conditions and agricultural use go hand in hand. This offers a different focus from the walking routes, which describe specific routes, a mill or a river crossing.

Discover more destinations: Hoghton, Haslingden, Barton, Cockerham, Penwortham, Arkholme, Scorton, West Bradford

For the wider travel guide: Lancashire.