Circular walk through time warp Merseyside village, stunning vistas and ending at pub
Dominic Raynor
·5-min read
Thornton & Little Crosby Walk circular walk. Image:Dominic Raynor
This circular walk is perfect to enjoy at any time of year but the scenery will look particularly spectacular as the trees and hedgerows turn from lush green to deep reds and browns in autumn and winter. And what’s more, it starts and ends at a pub.
It begins by taking in the Grade II listed stocks at Thornton village and passes the Broom’s Cross Scheduled Monument, which harks back to medieval times, before heading into the fields and country lanes of Sefton to enjoy the views and wildlife.
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This gentle 7km walk starts and ends at the Nags Head pub on Green Lane in Thornton - perfect for a well earned pint when you return. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
The picturesque village of Little Crosby, which was first documented in 1066, is lined with beautiful cottages from the 17th century and is the perfect place to stop for a coffee and a piece of cake along the route.
The whole 7km walk takes from two to three hours, depending on your pace, and there is the opportunity for a well-earned pint at the end.
From the Nags Head, quickly cross over Green Lane to take a look at the old stocks and sundial in Thornton village. The Grade II listed monuments date back to the late 18th century. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Cross back over Green Lane and head down Holgate lane (opposite) until it turns into a footpath as we head away from Thornton village. At the end, safely cross over Broom’s Cross Road and enter the fields opposite.
Follow the track heading diagonally left and in a few meters you will see the Broom’s Cross Scheduled Monument. Visit Southport tells us this is a medieval wayside cross on the ancient ‘corpseway’ from Hightown to Sefton Church, where traditionally bodies washed up on the coast were given a Christian burial. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Follow the path across the field, with Broom’s Cross Wood away to our right. We can see views across to Ormskirk in the distance. In spring the surrounding fields are full of Skylarks and Lapwings. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
In the corner of the field, at the memorial bench to ‘Shirl the Whirl’, follow the track behind it, between the hedge and the trees, until it meets a bridle path, where you turn right. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
As you walk along the bridle path for a short distance, keep an eye out for kestrels hovering, looking for prey. (Photo: philipbird123 - stock.adobe.com)
Turn left at the fence line and follow it around the edge of the field until you meet a footpath leading down to Long Lane. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Turn right at Long Lane to reach another footpath sign on the left after 250 metres. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Follow this wooded path, called Little Lane, and cross Hunts Brook to reach Park Wall Road. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
There are some great views out across the rolling fields as we walk down Little Lane. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Turn left down Park Wall Road. In late summer and early autumn the wall-side verge can be peppered with butterflies. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Continue down Park Wall Road, which can be spectacular as the leaves turn from green to reds and browns in autumn. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
At the Lion Lodge Gates, which look like something from Narnia, carefully cross Ince Lane and turn right. In 200 metres we turn off left through the hedgerow onto a track. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
This track takes us through more fields with wonderful vistas to the lodge house at Back Lane. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Keep your eyes peeled for pheasants crossing between the woods on either side of the track. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Pass the lodge house at the end of the track and head onto Back Lane, where Crosby Hall adventure playground can be seen over the wall on the left. The 15th century buildings of Crosby Hall can be seen a little further on as we continue to walk ahead. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
After Crosby Hall, we soon reach the Gothic style St Mary’s Church on the edge of Little Crosby. Visit Southport tells us the church, which was consecrated in 1847, contains the works of Nicholas Blundell, an artist and sculptor, and many memorials to the Blundells of Little Crosby, who have been lords of the manor for over 700 years. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Take a slight left to follow Moss Lane and just around the bend there is a courtyard where you can enjoy a break with a coffee and piece of cake from the Bakery Barn. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Turn right out of the courtyard and follow the road through Little Crosby, which was first documented in 1066 and is lined with picturesque cottages from the 17th century. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Continue past the The Well Cross, which is located at the site of the old village green. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
The cottages beyond the Well Cross are 17th century and the last building on the right is the old smithy, built in 1713. You may notice that the village still has no street lights. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Follow the Park Wall on our left to reach the Liverpool Lodge Gates, topped by the rampant lions, at the end and turn left through the metal gate. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Go through the gate and follow the footpath that traces the edge of the wall, baring left as it turns, until we reach the stone cottage at Virgins Lane. (Photo: Dominic Raynor)
Turn right to follow Virgins Lane. Turn left into Brook Road and right into Ince Road. Cross the A565 at the traffic lights and continue down Green Lane to reach our starting point, The Nags Head pub. (Photo: Google Street View)
Thornton & Little Crosby Walk circular walk (Photo: Google Maps)
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