FRIDAY NIGHT GUIDED WALKS
May 2025 to August 2025
Click the image to enlarge
All are welcome, no membership is required, come regularly or just occasionally on these free guided walks. You are advised to wear appropriate clothing and hiking boots.
There are plenty of stiles and several steep inclines. Sorry, no dogs.
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
Friday 20th June 2025
Come Walking Series of Walks: Rivington and Lead Mines Clough.
On a beautiful summers evening eighteen walkers met at the car park on Moor Lane overlooking Anglezarke Reservoir, where there were already several young people parked up waiting for the sunset. We started the walk by heading back down Moor Lane, in the direction of Alliance Bridge where we joined a footpath into Lead Mines Clough.
Lead mines started here in 1692 by Sir Richard Standish in partnership with two farmers and a mining engineer. It is recorded that 73 tons of lead was produced in 1788 – 1789. Mine shafts were up to 240ft deep. The mines were abandoned in 1837 and excavated in 1982.
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.
Memorial
After spending time admiring the views over towards Rivington Pike we headed away from the valley and climbed over a stile, where we turned right, and walked through the fields 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.
Walking around the wood
The Pike Stones
Back on Moor Lane
From the stones we continued to cross the moor, where the views over towards the reservoir were enhanced by the setting sun. Once at Jepson’s Gate, we turned left and continued down Moor Road, back to the car park, having covered 3.5 very sunny miles.
Wednesday 18th June 2025
Monthly Long Walk, Hollinshead Hall, Great Hill, Withnell Moor, White Coppice, back via Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
Twelve walkers met at Roddlesworth Information Centre on a hot and sunny morning and quickly headed for the shade of Tockholes Plantation.
Our first stop was at the ruins of Hollinshead Hall, where only the Well House is still standing. Records show that there was a manor house on this site from 1380, when John de Radcliffe had the house built. The most recent owner was a Darwin mill owner, named John Shorrock. Towards the end of the 19th century the hall fell into disrepair and eventually was bought by Liverpool Corporation Waterworks.
Hollinshead Hall
Being told the story
Once back on the track we made our way to Piccadilly, without the bright lights, and safely crossed Belmont Road, where we began the steep climb to the summit of Great Hill (329m) After most of us had removed excessive layers of clothing and got our breath back we enjoyed the 360-degree views at the summit whilst using the time to drink our morning coffee.
Piccadilly
Climbing up Great Hill
The descent of the hill was difficult in places and care had to be taken, but we soon arrived at the ruins of Drinkwater Farm, and a memorial to a local fell runner, in the form of Joe’s Cup, which is a tin mug hidden in a stone wall for donations to be placed.
Ruins of Drinkwater Farm
The descent
We continued down the slope to White Coppice, said to have the most attractive cricket ground in England, but those of us from Greenmount may disagree with this view. However, we were pleased to be able to use the toilets and fill our water bottles.
White Coppice
Our route then continued along The Goit, in the direction of Wheelton Plantation, and the shade. After crossing a footbridge, we left The Goit and started the steady climb up to a lane leading out of Brinscall. Once across the lane we climbed over a stile and found a suitable place to eat our lunch.
Lunch
Refreshed we started out return journey, first by crossing Millstone Edge to Belmont Road, which we crossed and then made our way to Roddlesworth Reservoirs, which were very low due to the recent dry weather. After crossing the embankment, we began our final climb of the day, that eventually brought us onto Roddlesworth Lane, which we crossed.
Returning to Roddlesworth
Refreshments