Rivington Pike
Rivington Pike Tower
Rivington Pike is an historic local landmark and popular walking destination owned by Chorley Borough Council. The hillside hosts a number of community events over the year including an Easter Fair and a Fell Race, with new events planned at the nearby Rivington Terraced Gardens, the area is popular with people of all ages and backgrounds.
On the summit of Rivington Pike is a small building known as the Pike Tower, a Grade II* listed building that acts as the local landmark.
Rivington Pike Tower was built as hunting lodge during a time when the land it occupies was in dispute between two land owners, John Andrews and the Whittles34), the families were related via the Pilkington and Shaw families.35)The dispute had escalated to court action.36) The dispute was to establish the boundary between Rivington and Horwich.
The tower build commenced in 1732, it is gritstone work with some stone brought in from Liverpool, where the Andrews had business interests, part of the pay of the local men who did the work was in Ale.37) The tower was complete in 1733.38) Above the doorway was once a date stone with the year of completion, the date stone is no longer present.39) The sponsor of the work was John Andrews of Rivington Hall who built the tower on the site of earlier beacon using stone from the beacon in its foundations, other stone from the bed of the River Douglas.40)
Materials were brought from Warrington and within the accounts John Gill was paid for making a what was referred to as a cellar but measured only 5ft by 5ft by 3ft. Various other names appear as helping transport the materials such as Dantzick board, lime. For Leading the Horses carrying materials in from Warrington were Henry Heywood, James Tong and Richard Brownlow. Slater was paid for 13 days work. Henry Wright for the glass and primed sashes that came from Chorley where also horse hire was arranged. John Morris brought the sand and lock for door. R. Scot for tearing slate and latting roof. Henry Latham was paid for stonework. Henry Ainsworth paid for Smith work. James Brown lead as per bill. Adam Rigby for carpentry. Edmund Leigh for nails. John Andrews provided some of his own wood. John Baldwin paid for sashes and hanging one. R. Ratcliffe for carting Stone Timber and slate. Oliver Morris was paid for slate. Mrs. Sefton for vitualls etc. Mr Lang and others according to Mr. Starkies directions to survey anew the south east side of the moor. Mr John Ahworth was paid for bushes etc. and Henry Wright for lead weights for sashes. Other accounts then go on for fire iron etc.
The tower is 5m square and 6m high. It was built with a wooden roof and a windows and doorway sealed in 1974.38) A fireplace once existed built at an angle in the corner of the wall, the flue emerging in the center of the wall.
The entrance was on the east and the door step had a fireplace in one corner and chimney, last seen in photographs around 1880. The single room is 4 meters (13 ft) square, there was a stone flagged floor and there was once a small cellar, these internal features are believed long since gone, there is no roof. It was once used for shelter when grouse shooting parties visited the moors, but this stopped in 1900 when William Hesketh Lever bought the estate.41) The tower foundation was measured at 30 inches exposed from its original level, at the location of the doorstep in 1933.
W.H Lever gave the land as a gift to the people of Bolton
“For the benefit of the citizens of his native town and neighborhood by act of parliament in 1902 the ownership and care of the park were vested in the Corporation of the City of Liverpool”.
The gift included the Pike Tower.42)
Tower Almost Demolished
The corporation and then its successor North West Water neglected the Pike Tower and by the 1960's it was in a severe state of neglect, its date stone of 1733 had gone missing by 1973.43)
The erosion to the hill summit has been ongoing since the towers construction, as illustrated when comparing the older image on this page from 1906 to more recent images. Almost all of the Rivington Pike Towers foundations are now exposed.
North West Water was about to demolish it in 1967 but were met with a massive public outcry and legal action followed. 44) Chorley Urban District Council won the case and the land and building were transferred in land registry title LAN21334 to the Chorley Borough Council 23rd March 1971, Chorley then restored the building in 1974 and followed with further work in the 1990s. 45)
Chorley council soon after teamed up with English Heritage and commenced protecting all other buildings of significance in the area under powers of listed building status in order to prevent the water company carrying out further demolitions in the area.
Rivington Pike
Rivington Pike summit height has been subjected to erosion over many years, losing one foot per 60 years, its height reduced by 3 feet from 1732 to 19322) with the rate of erosion continued its height on its north side is now over four feet lower than when the tower was built. A fence has been positioned on its south side.3) There are 13 Hill summits in the area, the Pike has a height from sea level of 1,198 ft or 365 meters. It is the most westerly high point of Winter Hill in the West Pennine Moors, Lancashire. It is one of the most well known of all the hills in the area.
Author, Fergusson Irvine stated: The Pike itself, that is, the curious hog-backed mound which crowns the summit of the hill and on which stands the Beacon, shows signs of having been at least shaped by artificial means. No doubt it is mainly a natural feature, but there are distinct traces of its having been trimmed and the approach steepened at several points.
Geologically its underlying rocks belong to the Carboniferous Age. They consist of millstone grit, sandstones, shales and coal measures. 4), 5) The humped shaped of the summit coincides with the Lower Coal Measures at around 350 metres.6)
Prehistoric
There are prehistoric sites at nearby Noon Hill tumulus on the moors and Coblowe hillock, where the replica castle is now. Other curious finds include a face carved into a stone, now on display at Great House Barn and a Cup and Ring carving on a stone that was found in the 1990's, now on display at the Anderton Centre.
Leverhulme had been investigating a Roman site within his Rivington estate prior to his death in 1925. Flint tools have been found in addition to bits of roman glass and pottery on a nearby hill. An investigation of Two Lads led to many more discoveries.9)
It is possible that a standing stone occupied the summit of Rivington Pike in the prehistoric period.10) Flint chipping were found on the summit by John Winstanley, Archaeologist in his 1953 investigation in the area.11)
Rivington Pike The Name
The name Pike comes from the old English a pointed eminence Pic, point, pike.12) The oldest recorded name for Rivington Pike is Winterhold Pike13), this changed to 'Roundpic' by 1280. 14) The first part of the name was dropped and it was only after the area became popular with tourists that the summit became known as Rivington Pike, even now locals simply call it ‘The Pike’.
The name of the village of Rivington, a combination of 'Rov' or 'Riv' with 'ing' and 'ton' the name settled to be Rivington by 1827.15)16) The summit of the hill is thought to be part of an early defense system prior to recorded history.
Further details of how the name Rivington came to be are within the page about the school Founding Charter 1566.
Rivington Pike Beacon
The summit of Rivington Pike was the site of one of a series of beacons spanning England as an early warning system. The beacon system was put in place by Ranulph de Blundeville, 4th Earl of Chester around 1139 17)following a Scottish raid in 1138, when a small Lancashire army was cut to pieces near Clitheroe by a much larger Scottish force. Rivington was the most northerly beacon in the system. The first recorded lighting was in 1220.18)
In the reign of Henry VIII, Lelund describes the hill as "One
Part of the Hille, when I saw it first is called Fairerlokke, but
communenely the people thereabouts caulleth it Raven pike he writes
further to say there was a Coppe in the Hille, as a backe standing
up above the residue of the Hille.
The coppe was the site of the ancient beacon forming a chain of
signals.
The beacon is next recorded as lit as part of a national defense system on 19 July 1588 to signal the Spanish Armada was heading towards English shores.19).20) The last use of the defense system was in the nineteenth century during the Napoleonic Wars. 21)
The Lighting of the beacon has since been for celebrations of the Coronation of King George V in 1910, at the end of the Great War a celebration taking place 26th July 1919 and as part of local celebrations22) and in 1977 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II 23),24)
Rivington Pike Walks
Rivington Pike is the often the destination of hikers and its a good climb. Some walking routes to the tower follow the lines of old carriage routes. The parks old roads have not been maintained and are rough and no longer suitable for most traffic, although wide the roads are eroded and littered with stones and slabs alternating with cobbled sections and large pot holes. There is evidence of former drainage arrangements but they are substantially decayed.
A very popular route to the Pike and also one of the traditional walks is from Rivington Lane, then onto Roynton Rd toward the back of the school and from there is an old footpath that passes a disused stone quarry and continues toward the Pike. Lever Park Avenue / Rivington Lane is maintained and has free parking, the route would require you to walk up the Pike usually via Roynton Rd then following a footpath past a quarry on your left, a ruin on your right is of Lower Knoll Farm (following the footpath on the right there takes you to Tigers Clough), ahead uphill on the left you pass the working Higher Knoll farm after following the footpath you exit onto Belmont Road, the Prospect farm ruins are on your right.
In an emergency, always dial 999 or 112 and request Mountain Rescue via the Police, Ambulance or Fire control rooms.
Vehicle Access
A popular method to the to the Pike is via the Belmont Rd / Pigeon Tower Car Park, accessed via a track which adjoins where Rivington Rd meets Belmont Rd, from there is a reasonable climb toward the Pigeon Tower and Terraced Gardens and then a climb to the Pike Tower. The route via the steps is not designed for anyone in less than good health, it is a much easier climb from the side of the hill facing Horwich.
The original route that goes to the Pike is partly maintained commencing at Chorley Old Road then onto Georges Lane, Horwich, the route is the original highway and is first mentioned in deeds in 1280.28) The road is mentioned in 1535 by Leland who was the chronicler to Henry VIII.29) This would have been the route used by the men who lit the beacon in 1588.30)
A standard car with careful navigation may get you a long way to the Pike via Georges Lane until it changes to Belmont Road. There is free parking at Wilderswood and the road is a single track but maintained surface to that point, after which the photo to the right shows the surface you would need to navigate.
Belmont
Rd from Pigeon Tower Car Park toward Pigeon Tower,
remains of Tarmac.
A four wheel drive may make the full climb from Georges Lane onto Belmont Road
as far as the Pigeon Tower from Chorley Old Rd, Belmont Rd is not
accessible for a standard car, there is instead a free car park part way
up at Wilderswood near Old Rake Lane travelling from Georges Lane.
The parking is close to the location of the former Rockhaven Castle.
Please see the google
route plan.
The road was historically once a complete route connecting Chorley
Old Road to Rivington Rd and Sheephouse Lane, a large section of
road between the Pigeon Tower Car Park and Pigeon Tower is now
beyond use. There are rough unmaintained footpaths at the sides of
the decayed road.
Another route the remains popular from the Pigeon Tower Car Park is
over a style and gate heading toward the Seven Arched Bridge.
The Pigeon Tower is straight ahead on what's left of Belmont Rd, there are two entrances to the Bungalow Grounds off Belmont Road and one lower behind Rivington and Blackrod School following Roynton Lane, the grounds have many steps.
There are car parks at the other attractions near the Great House Barn and Rivington Hall, a further place of note is Anglezarke view point, these three locations have car parks and can be accessed by car.
Lancashire Walks guide maps out a route from the Pigeon Tower Car Park (aka Lower House Farm car park) and can be downloaded here.
Easter Pike Fair and Rivington Fell Race
There are two annual events, the Rivington Easter Pike Fair and the Rivington Pike Race. The fair is held on the higher road leading to the Bungalow Grounds. Some visitors during the Rivington Pike fair go to check the view from the Pike Tower. A local tradition is for locals to make the journey to the Pike on Easter Friday. The Pike race from Horwich to Rivington has been a regular event over many years.
The Pike Fair is now attended by mostly local families. As any other fair food and drink can be a little expensive, families may wish to consider taking a picnic. Early evening on Easter weekend is the time slot for local young people, who party there, without causing a nuisance and in peaceful spirits.
The Lever Park attractions are popular all year and more so at Easter. Rivington Great House Barn is popular with the elderly and Rivington Hall Barn is popular with young families, activities are set up by the Salmon family for younger children at Rivington Hall. The scene is one of peaceful enjoyment and people in good spirits. Selling at Lever Park is controlled by bylaws published in 1904.
History of Pike Fair
Rivington Pike Fair commenced after the local press promoted the area as a tourist attraction in 1834 and by 1835 a test case was brought at Bolton Petty Sessions against two men for being drunk and in 'Neglect of Devine Service', Mr Ridgway who presided as J.P found them guilty, they were fined and paid costs.48) From 1816 until the Victorian period there was a public house called Sportsman's Arms on the road leading to the tower, it is now a private residence called Pike Cottage.
In reign of Victoria the Pike fair was widely popular, however locals had many complaints. 49),50) The arrival of Blackrod railway station in 1841 brought more folk, and this was sustained until the introduction of the Seaside Discount Train tickets, around 1860, which caused a decline in attendance.51). The fair was originally held every year on Pentecost (Whit Saturday) and continued until Easter Sunday, this changed in 1900 when it commenced from Good Friday and ended on Easter Sunday. Thomas Hampson in his History of Horwich in 1883 wrote of how the Victorian local gentry felt about The Pike Fair. 52), 53)The Easter weekends have calmed as Police forces came into existence. There have been incidents, however with modern Policing these are swiftly dealt with.
Rivington Pike was part of the original Lever Park created in 1902, the area is controlled not only by street trading laws, but also by specific Lever Park Bylaws. The first prosecution for selling refreshments without permission was of Joseph Pearson of Summerfield reported in the Bolton Journal, 11th August 1905.54)
Pike Fell Race
On Holy Saturday since 1892 a Pike Race has been held. Originally starting from the Horwich railway works, 55) but since 1930 from the entrance of Lever Park Avenue. It now attracts around 400 runners.56)
Music Festivals
An unautorised Music Festival was held in the heat wave summer of 1976 and the following summer of 1977 at the Terraced Gardens on the slope of the Pike, locally named flower power invasions.58) The number of people attending caused local concerns. Bands playing included Body, John Peel favorites Tractor and Here and Now. The 1976 Rivington Pike Music Festival inspired the launch the Deeply Vale Festivals in mid September 1976. Rivington Heritage Trust are preparing to hold similar events with a charge for entry by ticket.
Past events
In the early 20th century, car and motorcycle races were held up
Rivington Pike. From 1906 to 1912, Bolton motorists had the
opportunity to witness the performance of a variety of cars and
motor-cycles in the hands of some notable drivers of the day under
the auspices of the North-East Lancs Automobile Club and the
Lancashire Motor-Cycle Club. The first of these hill-climb races
took place on 25 July 1906. Competitors were limited to members of
the former club, and the race was divided into 10 classes according
to the list price of the car.57)
The roads are totally unsuitable for most vehicles now, off road
vehicles including motor bikes are not welcomed.
Bibliography
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A.D Mills, Dictionary of English Place-Names, 1998 ISBN 0-19-280074-4
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Rivington, Thomas Hampson, 1893
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A short History of Rivington, Wm Fergusson Irvine, 1904 ]]
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Dictionary of English Place Names, Mills, 1998 IBSN 0-19-280074-4
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About Rivington, Rawlinson, 1966
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Winter Hill Scrapbook, Dave Lane, 2008, ISBN 978-1-4092-2068-8