Friday 12th August 2022

Friday 12th August: Come Walking Series of Walks

Sunnyhurst Wood Darwen

Due to the very high temperature we decided to change the planned route and miss out the steep climb up to Darwen Tower. Sunnyhurst Wood was developed into a public park in 1903, to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII that took place in the previous year. From the upper car park we walked a short distance down to the Sunnyhurst Pub and turned right onto a lane that quickly became a rough track. Once the track started to climb steeply, we joined a footpath on our right that took us along the edge of Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir.

Path with view of tower

Alternative route

On reaching High Wenshead Farm we spent some time watching two very young foals who were enjoying the evening sunshine with their mothers. The footpath took us back in the direction of Sunnyhurst before turning left across the dam, at the end of Earnsdale Reservoir, where we watched an aerobatic display performed by two herons.

Young foal

Earnsdale Reservoir

At the end of the embankment, we turned right onto a footpath at the top of Sunnyhust Wood and made our way down to the stream at the bottom of the valley, passing interesting flora and fauna along the way. Once across the stream we started the steep climb out of the valley up to the old lychgate and the car park having covered 4 cool miles.

Tree in Sunnyhust Wood

Bandstand in the bottom of the valley