Abbey Village – 29/03/2026 – Leader Sue

On a day forecast to be wet and windy, 11 brave walkers turned out to meet at Abbey Village. After a delayed start, we made our way up Doles Lane, stopping to “ohh” and “ahh” at some new lambs in rain coats!!

We followed the road until it split, avoiding the route I had taken on the recci as it was a bog. Taking a lane, then a path over the moors following along Millstone Edge, we made our way to some stepping stones which everyone  crossed without any mishaps. Still crossing the moors we finally came across Watsons farm, which some thought would be a good place to stop for a bite to eat in the dry and very clean barn, but it was far too early for that, so we headed down the lane to cross the A675 Bolton Road then into Tockholes Plantation number 3. We then picked up the Witton Weavers Way which we followed along the side of  Roddlesworth reservoir, now in woodland, which felt a bit drier and less windy then earlier. Lunch was taken at the end of the woods with a bit of shelter but not many places to sit.

It was then a climb up a field to Higher Hill farm where we had to cross a muddy field and take a road which I thought would miss out a boggy path, but unfortunately I was a little mixed up and we came to the boggy path which somehow didnt seem quite as bad as I had expected. At the end of the path we encountered more sheep and lambs, again in their rain jackets. Crossing more fields down to Red Lea Farm, which has a date stone 1674, then down a steep path to a bridge and a road. Crossing the road it was a slippy climb uphill, luckily there was a fence which came in handy to help pull us up. Crossing another field we came to a road which took us back to the village and the cars, a welcome sight.

Many thanks to all who turned up today for braving the wet, to Heather for taking the photos and me for keeping everyone together.

Distance – 5.95 miles.      Ascent – 825 ft of ascent      Time – 3 hours 24 mins.    M/h – 2.0