Edenfield Circular – 11/03/26 – Leader David C

22 Ramblers met and assembled on Croft Acres, Edenfield on a bright and fresh morning, everyone was appropriately clothed for this fresh morning, except one brave person wearing shorts. On todays walk we were joined by David F who had been walking with Hyndburn, we hope to see him on future walks. Before the walk commenced Wayne distributed sweets.

Leaving the estate the group followed Wood Lane for a short distance before following the footpath along Whalley road, we crossed the road to pick-up the old track up Hollins lane, which gave us the opportunity for our group photograph. We eventually reached Bury Old Road which we followed this, passing Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary before reaching Bamford road and our 1st ascent of the day to the boundary of Fletcher Bank Quarry. The quarry is still in active use by Marshalls for the manufacture of related stone products, around the edge of the quarry there is evidence of extensive remedial work to the quarry.

Before we left the track, we had our coffee/tea break whilst sheltering from the wind, Heather provided chocolates to celebrate her recent 70th birthday. Upon leaving the track we started to cross Harden Moor to reach the Trig Point the lowest in Rossendale. Crossing the moorland, which was not muddy we eventually reached the much extended and upgraded Wham Hill Farm, we then reached the recently repaired double stile an excellent job by Danny and his Pathway Fixers. The track then traversed south before we reached the Old Buckhurst School, which appears to have had extensive renovations.

We continued to follow the track skirting Deeply Vale the site of a number of “ Woodstock “ style music festivals in the early 70’s, passing the house that Victoria Wood previously lived in before reaching Walmersley Golf course. Here we took the opportunity to have lunch seating either on the wall trying to shelter from the wind, or on the course benches in the cold wind. After lunch we crossed the golf course, descending to cross the M66 before crossing a bridge over an old mill pond, the track took us past Walmersley Conservative, through a housing estate and admiring the new houses that now occupy the site of the old Tetrosyl factory, before we reached Walmersley road Crossing Walmersley road we followed Springside Road until we reached the road heading towards Springside Farm, before turning right to pick up the Sculpture trail. We followed this before crossing the East Lancs Railway. The walk continued along the line of the railway, before reaching Summerseat, where we have our 2nd ascent to the old weaver’s path track that follows the line of Brooksbottoms tunnel.

Before crossing the river Irwell, we passed by the area of the old village of Nuttall which housed over 1000 workers who were employed in local cotton mills after two major fires in the late 19th century which destroyed a number of mills most of the inhabitants left, the old Mill Mangers house still in existence but since enlarged and modernised. Close by there were very extensive ground works being undertaken United Utilities to improve the water quality of the River Irwell.

We passed through Nuttall Park, at this point we said good-bye to our back marker Glyn, we then crossed through Ramsbottom pass the new housing estate before picking up the footpath to Stubbins. Upon reaching Stubbins we had a short road walk to Rosebank a road and track that once served the mill which has recently been demolished, which is our 4th and final ascent before eventually reaching our cars in Edenfield.

Thanks to all who attended the walk, also apologies for the slightly longer distance than advertised!!

Distance 11.6 miles.         Elevation 1415feet          Moving Avg – 2.2 Mph       

Pictures Steve D          Back Marker – Glyn          Write up –  David H

‘If you wish to see a static view of the pics all in one go, then click here.’

Continuously running slideshow below – you can see it full screen by clicking in top left of picture