Sunday, 22nd November 2009

 

Walk: White Coppice, Wheelton Plantation, Roddlesworth Reservoirs, Jubilee Tower (Darwen), Great Hill
Start Point: White Coppice cricket club car park Grid Ref: SD 619 190
Distance: 12.2 miles Ascent: 2,900 feet
Weather: Showers and quite windy in exposed areas
Accompanied by:

On my own

Comments: As our group walk was cancelled, due to the floods in Cumbria, I decided to use the time to check out the walk I would be leading in two weeks' time. The weather forecast for the local area was for showers later in the day but there were, in fact, four showers spread throughout the day. However, as none of them lasted for very long they did not spoil the walk and visibility was good most of the time. As expected, various sections of the route were muddy but these were passable with care. The path up to Great Hill showed a marked deterioration since I was last there, in July. I explored the descent via Lead Mines Clough but found the path in a very poor condition and eventually returned to the main path.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The Pendle Bridleway Feeder Route - in construction. Glad I'm not going this way - as we did two weeks previously!

 

An Autumn carpet, in Wheelton Plantation

 

Pleased to find that this bridge is still intact - unlike so many in Cumbria this week

 

Unusual route round a gate - or shelter for an elevenses stop??!!

 

The overflow at the Roddlesworth reservoirs is quite busy today

 

Jubilee Tower across Earnsdale Reservoir . . .

 

and again from beside the reservoir . . .

 

which is looking quite full

 

Pity there are no benches in the bandstand - would make a good lunch spot in wet weather!

 

Another possible lunch spot!

 

A church walking group leaves Jubilee Tower (on a Sunday!)

 

From the Tower Darwen can be seen on the right and Blackburn on the left, with the M65 just visible in the centre

 

The Ribble estuary and Blackpool Tower can be seen from the Tower - but don't show up in the photo

 

The earliest record of Hollinshead hall seems to appear in 1311, although it is probable the hall did exist before then . . .

 

but now the ruins provide a good spot for a lunch stop

 

The path beside Black Dean Brook is in a rather poor condition today

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