Wednesday 20th November 2024
Lead Mine Clough and Anglezarke Reservoir
Twelve hardy walkers left Rivington Higher Barn, on a cold and crispy morning and joined a section of the West Pennine Way (WPW) at the bottom of the car park. We followed the route into the picturesque, village of Rivington, where we turned right through a stile and headed for Dean Wood, continuing along the route to Alance Bridge. Once across the bridge we turned right, leaving the WPW, and followed a footpath into 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. It was a poignant spot to enjoy our morning coffee whilst overlooking the valley in the morning sunshine.
Over looking reservoirs
Wellington memorial
Memorial stone
Once we had finished our coffee we headed away from the valley and climbed over a stile, where we turned right, and headed 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.
Heading for the wood
Pike Stones
From the stones we continued to cross the snow-covered moor, down to Jepson’s Gate, where we turned right and continued along Moor Road, walking as far as Sidlow Fold Farm. After turning left, at the farm, we joined a footpath which took us down to a spot overlooking Anglezarke Reservoir, where we ate our lunch in the sunshine.
Heading for Anglezarke Reservoir
Lunch
At this point we where back on the WPW, which we followed for a short distance before joining a footpath on our right that took us around Yarrow Reservoir eventually re-joining another section of the WPW which we followed back into Rivington, having covered eight sunny miles.
Heading for Rivington