Attractions and Places To See around Rufford - Top 20

lovely village to stop lots of cafes

Agreed on the beauty of the area but if you arrive at the bridge and find it empty, take your pics and vids quickly because the racket caused by cars passing over it is absolutely awful/unbearable. Not sure who designed it with loose individual metal slats in mind but the clatter means a re-think is required! The central rubber 'carpet' (sections of which are missing) might mildly dim noise generated by cyclists but is totally redundant for the main culprit: the car. Speaking of which: a decision needs to be made on whether the lane and bridge should remain accessible by car because at the moment (and with burgeoning sizes of vehicles in future), the purpose of the cycleway is somewhat diminished when riders have to constantly stop while two cars squirm past each other or to allow one to overtake. Perhaps it was just busier on the day I visited but it got very silly indeed!

"Southport Pier opened in August 1860, it is the oldest iron pier in the country. Its length of 1,108 m (3,635 ft) makes it the second-longest in Great Britain, after Southend Pier. Although at one time spanning 1,340 m (4,380 ft), a succession of storms and fires during the late 19th and early 20th centuries reduced its length to that of the present day. The pier has been host to famous entertainers, including Charlie Chaplin in the early 20th century. It was visited by steamliners in its heyday, but silting of the channel meant that by the 1920s very few steamers were able to reach the pier, and the service ceased in 1929. The pier fell into disrepair throughout the late 20th century, and by 1990 it was operating at a significant annual loss with rising maintenance costs. The local council sought to have the pier demolished, but were defeated in their attempt by a single vote. The pier was significantly restored during 2000–2002, and opened to the public in May 2002. The Southport Pier Tramway ran from Southport Promenade to the pier head at various times in the pier's history with various rolling stock, most recently until June 2015. The pier is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building, first listed on 18 August 1975." Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southport_Pier

Dogde walkers, dogs, kids, basically everyone. Can be very busy in summer.

Southport is a lovely place to ride with a good cycle path in the early days people use to arrive in there thousands but unfortunately its gone down a little. I'm hoping they pump money back into this amazing place.

Croston was founded in the 7th century when St Aidan arrived at the riverside settlements. In the absence of a church, a cross was erected as a place of worship. The name is derived from the two Old English words 'cross' and 'tūn' (town/homestead/village) and is unique to the village. The parish of Croston was formerly far larger than it is today. It included Chorley, Much Hoole, Rufford, Bretherton, Mawdesley, Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Bispham, Walmer Bridge and Ulnes Walton. These became independent parishes as a result of a series of separations between 1642 and 1821.[2] A charter granted by Edward I in 1283 permitted an annual medieval fair and market to be held on the village green. Pre-20th Century maps also depict a castle which is believed to have been of a wooden construction because there is no evidence of a stone structure.

Traditional Country Pub Serving Traditional Homemade/ Pub Food.4 Cask Ales. Open Daily Bar 12-12. Our Current Food Serving Times Are Wed-Sat 12:00 - 2:00 pm & 5:00 - pm, Sun 12- Hot Beverages served all day. All welcome, families and dogs,no dress code! Disabled access. Large car park and separate beer gardens. Quiz & Bingo every Tues starts 9.30pm.

Great canal side pub dating from 1837, when it served as offices for the Leeds and Liverpool freight services. Traditional pub with separate areas and home cooked food. Pill box beer often served as memorial to WWII. There is a lookout post outside. Twice yearly military displays and annual classic bus services prevail, with themed beers for the occasion. This is a popular pub with families, walkers and cyclists, in excellent rural setting with an outside garden with eating area.