Hurst Green

The beautiful and idyllic village of Hurst Green is situated in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

The village is reputed to be haunted by the Highwayman Ned King, who is thought to be the ghostly figure seen riding through the village late at night. Numerous reports of the hauntings have been made throughout the years. In life he came to his end not far from the Punch Bowl Inn.

The Shireburn Arms is a 17th century hotel, named after Richard Shireburn who owned the land around the village.

Also at Hurst Green is the beautiful church of St. Peter's. It is also the home of Stonyhurst College , a world famous Roman Catholic boys boarding college. The magnificent buildings are set in extensive parkland with two huge ponds that were excavated in 1696.

The college houses a wonderful museum collection including a 7th century Gospel of St. John. Cromwell stayed here in 1648. In 1811 the building became the first public building to be lit by gas. Conan Doyle creator of Sherlock Holmes is among many famous ex scholars of the college. The college was the setting for the novel "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Hurst Green is the starting point for the Tolkien Trail .