In the footsteps of screen stars

"Spring and Port Wine", filmed at various locations in the town, was adapted for the screen by Bolton's Bill Naughton from his original stage play. It starred James Mason as patriarchal dad, Rafe Crompton and Diana Coupland as his wife. The town was very much the star, with streets like Grisdale Road, Mercia Street and Anglia Grove being used as the Cromptons' neighbourhood. Other locations included Queen's Park and the town centre. In one scene you even get a glimpse of a Bolton Corporation bus! This linear walk starts at Darcy Lever and follows the old Bolton Canal towards Kearsley. Along the way it links some of the locations used in the film that remain virtually unchanged today. You can re-enact Rodney Bewes cycling along the cobbled canal towpath. Or run down the Gorse Steps at Darcy Lever like Diana Coupland and pretend you are James Mason at the Prestolee Locks, before reaching the point under the canal bridge where they were both dramatically reunited. The walk also links two parks - starting at Leverhulme Park and finishing at Moses Gate Country Park.

DISTANCE: 3 miles (Allow 1-2 hours) one way

START: Leverhulme Park, Long Lane, Darcy Lever (O.S. Grid Ref. 739 085). Car parking available near entrance. Finish at Moses Gate Country Park (O.S. Grid Ref. 743 068)

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: 537 to Leverhulme Park. 524 to Hall Lane, Moses Gate. Train stations at Farnworth and Moses Gate. Boots are essential as there are several muddy sections.

Starting at the Leverhulme Park entrance by the bus stop, walk down the tree-lined avenue towards the children's play area. At the crossroads of tracks near to the play area, turn sharp left and walk towards houses and a bridge over the old railway. Do not cross the bridge but turn sharp right and follow the access road running above the railway cutting. This passes two terraced rows on the right. Continue straight ahead past the end of Gorse Mount and you descend the cobbled steps made famous in the film. Both James Mason and Diana Coupland came down them and the old railway viaduct is still here.

Turn left on the road at the bottom of the hill and follow the pavement through the village. When you pass the Farmer's Arms on the left, cross over and just before the old canal bridge, join the footpath on the right at the entrance to Moses Gate Country Park. This section of canal is filled in but the old towpath can still be followed straight ahead for the next half a mile. Ignore tracks on the right but when the path eventually forks into two by a waymarker post, fork right and drop down to a bridleway track. Continue straight ahead along this and you soon reach Hall Lane. Cross over the road and go through the kissing gate opposite. Take the woodland path up the slope and you soon reach the top canal again. Go straight ahead along the canal towpath and it is followed for three quarters of a mile. The view opens out eventually across the Croal Valley towards Kearsley Mill. It becomes cobbled and as you reach the nearby cottages you pass the location seen near the start of "Spring and Port Wine", where Rodney Bewes cycles along the towpath. Pass the cottages and, as the wall comes to an end on the right, you join a track coming uphill.

At this wall end turn almost back on yourself and join the track climbing uphill below the old canal warehouse on your right. This scene remains little changed from 1969 when Diana Coupland walked down here. To the left you can see the old Prestolee Locks, which have now been cleared and James Mason runs downhill alongside these in the film. At the bottom of the hill, turn left and join the canal's lower level at the bottom of the set of locks. Follow the towpath and cross the aqueduct over the Irwell to the first stone-arched bridge over the canal. This valley location was also seen near the end of the film and the bridge is the point where James Mason and Diana Coupland were reunited.

To return to Moses Gate Country Park car park, simply retrace your steps back across the aqueduct to the lower canal basin. Look for the wooden fence and gate to your left. Do not go through the gate but continue straight ahead from here following a path through woodland with the fence to your immediate left. This runs along the bank of the River Croal further up. Keep the river on your left until you meet a set of wooden steps on the same side. You can continue straight ahead from here if you are retracing your steps on foot to Leverhulme Park - as the path leads back to Hall Lane. Alternatively, go left down the steps, cross the red bridge over the river and follow the tarmac path to the car park below Rock Hall.