For the Summer Solstice I choose another leaflet from Walks with Taste – Visit Ribble Valley. – this time from the Three Millstones in the village of West Bradford. It promises an “Amble along the well-trodden banks of the Ribble admiring this remarkably quiet section by a hidden industrial quarry”.
I drive through West Bradford often but don’t think I’ve ever stopped off to explore. This morning I park at the Three Millstone Inn, after seeking permission. The village derives its name from its situation at a historic ‘broad ford’ at the nearby Ribble. Over the centuries the descriptive name of Broadford became Bradford. The West was added in the late 19th century to differentiate the village from its much larger Yorkshire neighbour. Somewhere there has been a cotton mill on the site of an older corn mill but as I walk out of the village this morning I don’t identify it, even though I spy a Mill Street sign. The stone cottages would have housed the workers. 
The Mill stream runs down the centre of the village helping to create some interesting gardens. 
I’m soon out of the village and onto the northern bank of the River Ribble for the meat of the walk. I’ll be close to the river for the next three or four miles, the path is well worn and favoured by dog walkers. If you look closely at the pictures you will see a couple of Labradors swimming towards the weir to enjoy a ride down it. I bet they do that every day.
The river is flat calm for a stretch and then along come small rapids. I would think that at the moment the water is medium height, the whole aspect changes in flood conditions. Pendle looks on from afar.
Coming back on the opposite bank is equally pleasant and there are woods giving some shade on what turns out to be a hot day. In the distance Kemple End on Longridge Fell keeps popping into view. All along this stretch to my left are abandoned limestone quarries which have grassed over and become part of the rural landscape, their extent can be seen on the map. I’m soon back at Bradford bridge. 
But instead of following the suggested route straight up to the village I take another loop of the Ribble around the cement works in order to visit Crosshill Nature Reserve and part of the sculpture trail which I have previously described in detail here. 
Once back at the Three Millstones I sit outside (it’s more of a ‘gastro pub’ inside, their lunch menu looks good and reasonably priced) enjoying a decent pint of Blonde Ale from Reedley Hallows brewery in Burnley, I’d never heard of them before.
***
***
Later watching England play football on TV it certainly does feel like the longest day.
