The River Ribble
from source to sea
Part 16 - The Estuary
![[photograph showing confluence of Freckleton Pool with Ribble]](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/web/ribbleweb/pages/pics/rp71t.jpg)
Confluence of Freckleton Pool with Ribble
Freckleton Pool is a tidal creek, which runs from the here, for about a mile, to the village of Freckleton. The creek is used as an anchorage for a small number of recreational craft.
Freckleton is one of the oldest villages in the Fylde area, and was recorded in the Doomsday Book. Although mainly an agricultural village, the Ship Inn was a hotel in the 14th century. Bunker Street relates to the early years of the 20th century, when boats unloaded coal there.
![[photograph of British Aerospace factory, Warton]](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/web/ribbleweb/pages/pics/rp72t.jpg)
British Aerospace factory, Warton
Warton and Freckleton now meet, and between the the two villages and the river, lies the runway and factory of British Aerospace. In the Second World War this airfield was the base which received new aircraft from the U.S.A. These were then modified here for operational use. The factory here now designs and manufactures parts of the Eurofighter. Other fighters manufactured here include the Harrier, Hawk and Tornado.
![[photograph: Longton Marsh]](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/web/ribbleweb/pages/pics/rp73t.jpg)
Longton Marsh
The marshes are part of the Ribble Marshes National Nature Reserve, which covers approx. 2,300 hectares of saltmarsh and the intertidal zone on the south of the estuary. The reserve is home to waders, ducks, geese and terns. In autumn many wading birds stop over on their journey from the artic to warmer regions, while some species stay here for the winter.
The photograph is taken looking north west, across the confluence of the River Douglas with the Ribble, to British Aerospace at Warton. The River Douglas is the southern arm of the planned The Ribble Link.
![[photograph: the Dolphin Inn]](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/web/ribbleweb/pages/pics/rp74t.jpg)
The Dolphin Inn
The official start of the Ribble Way is the Dolphin Inn, at the end of Marsh Lane, Longton. From here the path takes walkers along the tidal embankment, overlooking the marsh, shown in the previous photograph.
![[photograph of the beach at Lytham]](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/web/ribbleweb/pages/pics/rp75t.jpg)
The beach at Lytham
Back on the northern bank of the estuary is Lytham. Here the mudflats are exposed at low tide. The only tourists who visit this beach are those who arrive in sailing dinghies - but between the sea wall and the road there is a large expanse of lawn which is popular with day trippers.
![[photograph taken looking out to sea]](/file/20944/AUCD4.iso/web/ribbleweb/pages/pics/rp76t.jpg)
Looking out to Sea
Taken at Lytham, this is where the Ribble meets the Irish Sea. To the south of the river is Southport, and on the coast to the north is St Anne's, and then Blackpool.
© Graham Dean 1998.
Go to:
River Ribble Part 15
River Ribble index page.