Monday 8th April 2019

Monday 8th April 2019

Monthly Short Walk: Greenmount, Tottington Mill Wood, Summerseat, Holcombe Brook Valley, Redisher Wood and Greenmount

On a bright sunny morning twenty-three walkers ventured down the Kirklees Trail turning left just before the viaduct over Island Lodge. It was good to see that the tree, which was in danger of toppling into the lodge and taking part of the island with it, had been cut down thanks to the efforts of Christine T and Bury Council’s Pitch Funding bidding process.

At the bottom of the footpath we turned right into Tottington Mill Wood where there is still evidence of Tottington Print Works alongside Kirklees Brook. The mill was bought by Joshua Knowles in 1820 to undertake calico printing and closed in 1921, when it rapidly became derelict.

Climbing out of the wood we passed the kennels of Holcombe Hunt the formation of which can be traced back to the 11^th Century when the Normans are said to have brought hounds from across the Channel.

 

 

 

 

Passing Brandlesholme Hall Farm we continued along the track, crossing the main road and climbing over a stile on the opposite side of the road that took us into a field which had glorious views over towards Peel Tower. The path eventually joined Wood Road Lane that took us down to the River Irwell, which we followed into Summerseat.

Once on Railway Street we walked up to Robin Lane and headed for Holcombe Brook Valley where we had our coffee break in the warm sunshine, overlooking the brook.

 

 

 

 

 

After a short break we climbed up through the valley onto Woodhey Road and into Holcombe Brook where we walked up the side of the Hare and Hounds into Redisher Wood where we were pleased to see the first signs of the bluebells coming into bloom which will make a glorious sight in a couple of weeks’ time.

The final section of the walk was along Redisher Lane crossing Bolton Road and joining the path which leads back to Greenmount having covered 6 sunny miles.