Monday 20th May 2024
Monthly Long Walk: Kingfisher & Tongue Trails
The walk this month started from the car park at Jumbles Reservoir, where nineteen walkers first descended the steep path to join the Kingfisher Trail. The trail follows Bradshaw Brook into Bradshaw, we were fortunate that a couple of our walkers did have the pleasure of spotting a kingfisher flying over the brook. Once across the main road we headed up to the entrance of Longsight Park and Arboretum, where we turned left and continued through the wood to a footbridge over Bradshaw Brook. After crossing the bridge, we climbed a steep slope which led to one of the many footpaths in the park and continued to follow the brook, on the opposite bank.
On the trail
Eventually we arrived at the picturesque hamlet of Firwood Fold, where Samuel Crompton was born in one of the farm cottages in December 1753. His family only lived in the cottage until 1758 when they moved to Hall I’ th’ Wood.
Firwood
Samuel Crompton’s birth place
After admiring the small hamlet, we made our way out of the woods, and first crossed Tongue Moor Road, then Crompton Way, before making our way along Green Way to Hall I’ th’ Wood. The hall is a Tudor wooden framed house that was built in the 16th century. During the 18th century the house was divided into apartments, one of which was rented by the Crompton family. It was here that Samuel invented the Spinning Mule that was to revolutionise the textile industry.
We were saddened by the condition of the property, and after a short stay we joined a footpath that soon took us into a wooded valley, where we followed the Eagley Brook, that meandered through the picturesque valley. Before leaving the valley, we made use of the ruins of a stone property to enjoy our morning coffee. Continuing to follow the brook we soon arrived in the village of Eagley, with its well-preserved mill, which is now luxury apartments. Once passed Eagley Cricket Club we crossed Blackburn Road and joined the access road to Dunscar Golf Club. The track eventually led into Longworth Valley, where we joined a section of the West Pennie Way (WPW). After turning right on the WPW we soon crossed Longworth Lane and headed passed Delf Reservoir to Walmsley Church, where we ate our lunch.
Coffee stop
Eagley Mill
After lunch we continued along the WPW as far as Cox Green Road, we turned right and made our way passed Whittle Hill Farm and on to Turton Golf Course. Our next short stop was at Turton Tower, which was just a short walk back to the car park at Jumbles, having covered eleven satisfying miles.