RIP David
VILLAGE LINK
To view the Village Link website and its walks, click the Village Link logo.
PILGRIMS' WAY
Follow the route of the Pilgrims 
from Whalley to Manchester.
For detailed information on this walk click
Pilgrims' Way
or click the picture.
Walk Reports
Monday 2nd December 2024
Special Christmas Countryside Walk Through Greenmount and Hawkshaw.
With the option of lunch at the Miller Carter Steak House.
After the registration of thirty-four walkers, we began the walk by heading across Holcombe Road and making our way over the golf course to Whipney Lane. Once through the kissing gate we joined a muddy path that took us to Bolton Road, Hawkshaw and after crossing the road we turned right and walked up Spenleach Lane. At the top of the lane, we turned right and walked past the MOD assault course, which was used in the television series, Krypton Factor, hosted by Gordon Burns. From here we joined a steep footpath which led down to a footbridge over Red Brook and then climbed up to the ruins of Higher Ridge Farm.
Hawkshaw
Climbing to Higher Ridge Farm
Once on the ridge we turned left and headed for the footpath sign pointing to the left where we crossed back over Red Brook, at the site of the ruins of Cinder Hill cottages. Climbing out of the valley we soon arrived at Holcombe Hey Farm, where we joined the track leading to Roger Worthington’s grave and our morning coffee stop. Roger Worthington was a Baptist preacher who ministered in this area for many years. The 1790 broken tombstone was replaced in 1935.
Heading over the Ridge
Holcombe Hey Farm
Roger Worthington's grave
After coffee we retraced our steps to Hawshaw Lane and walked down the lane as far as Boardman’s Farm, where we turned left and joined a narrow path that took us eventually down to Higher House Farm. It was just a short walk across a very wet field to the MOD Range House. Once passed the house we headed to Simon’s Farm and down into Redisher Wood.
Continuing into the wood we walked along the side of Simon’s Lodge, which was very full due to the recent heavy rain.
Footpath at Boardman's
Redisher Wood
Simon's Lodge
Redisher wood
Shortly after the overflow we turned right onto another muddy path that eventually led to the newly constructed, definitive footpath, at the side of Hollingrove Farm. Once on Redisher Lane it was just a short familiar walk back to Greenmount, and our Christmas lunch having covered seven festive miles.
Christmas lunch
Wednesday 20th November 2024
Lead Mine Clough and Anglezarke Reservoir
Twelve hardy walkers left Rivington Higher Barn, on a cold and crispy morning and joined a section of the West Pennine Way (WPW) at the bottom of the car park. We followed the route into the picturesque, village of Rivington, where we turned right through a stile and headed for Dean Wood, continuing along the route to Alance Bridge. Once across the bridge we turned right, leaving the WPW, and followed a footpath into Lead Mines Clough. After crossing a footbridge, we joined a narrow path, that climbed steadily up to the memorial, erected in 1953 by Horwich Rotary Club in memory of the six airmen who were killed, on the 12th of November 1943 when their Wellington bomber crashed into the hillside. It was a poignant spot to enjoy our morning coffee whilst overlooking the valley in the morning sunshine.
Over looking reservoirs
Wellington memorial
Memorial stone
Once we had finished our coffee we headed away from the valley and climbed over a stile, where we turned right, and headed towards a wood, strangely named, The Flat. We continued to walk around the wood into Rushy Brow, eventually arriving at the Pike Stones. These large stones are thought to be the remains of the entrance to a Neolithic burial chamber some 4500, years ago.
Heading for the wood
Pike Stones
From the stones we continued to cross the snow-covered moor, down to Jepson’s Gate, where we turned right and continued along Moor Road, walking as far as Sidlow Fold Farm. After turning left, at the farm, we joined a footpath which took us down to a spot overlooking Anglezarke Reservoir, where we ate our lunch in the sunshine.
Heading for Anglezarke Reservoir
Lunch
At this point we where back on the WPW, which we followed for a short distance before joining a footpath on our right that took us around Yarrow Reservoir eventually re-joining another section of the WPW which we followed back into Rivington, having covered eight sunny miles.
Heading for Rivington