Friday 8th August 2025
Come Walking Series of Walks: Edenfield, Irwell Vale & The Plunge.
This evening’s walk started from Exchange Street, in Edenfield, where twenty seven walkers headed down the street and after crossing the bridge, over the A56 we continued the descent to the River Irwell, where we turned right and followed the river into Irwell Vale.
Exchange Street
The River Irwell
Bridge in Lumb
On reaching Aiken Street, in Irwell Vale, we turned right and made our way to the level crossing, over the East Lancashire Railway. Once safely across the railway line, we turned left and followed Hardsough Lane back into Edenfield. At the Parish Church we crossed Market Street and headed up East Street, at the top of which we climbed over a stile, on the right, and made our way across the fields to Gincroft Lane.
From here we were soon in Dearden Clough, where we followed the brook down to the ruins of Plunge Mill. After spending time admiring the waterfall, that used to be part of the mill race, where the waterwheel would generate power to drive the mill’s machinery.
Going down to the Plunge
The Plunge Waterfall
Once across the footbridge, over the brook, we walked along Micheal Wife Lane, to Rochdale Road, and after crossing the road we turned right onto Bury Old Road.
It was just a short distance to Hollin’s Lane, which we joined and walked down to Bury Road, where we turned right and made our way back into Edenfield having covered almost five energetic miles.