Sunday, 6th December 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: 11.3 miles Ascent: 2,500 feet
Weather: An early shower cleared to leave a dry day with sunny spells
Accompanied by:

10 members of the group, led by me

Comments: Setting out alongside the Goit we were pleased not to walking in the quagmire created by contractors vehicles on the opposite side. A good path took us through Wheelton Plantation before heading up onto Wheelton Moor. The conditions underfoot remained damp, to say the least, as we made our way through tussocky grass and across to the A675. We quickly left the road to cross a field and head into Tockholes Plantations on our way to Roddlesworth Reservoirs. Examining the fast flowing water in the weir we then took advantage of the reservoir walls to stop for a morning coffee. A short climb took us up to a minor road from which we joined part of the Witton Weavers Way. This led into Sunnyhurst Wood and after passing the bandstand we turned off the main path to exit the woods via the Lych Gate. A climb then took us up to Jubilee Tower, also known as Darwen Tower. After exploring the various viewing levels within the Tower we made our way across Darwen Moor to Slipper Lowe car park - where they now charge a fee for parking! A short stroll took us down to the ruins of Hollinshead Hall where we stopped to eat lunch. After another short stretch on the A675 we started the last climb of the day, to Great Hill. The route is in serious need of attention with a wide band of flattened boggy ground stretching up the hillside. Similarly part of the descent route to White Coppice is seriously rutted and muddy, due largely to mountain bikes using this route. Hopefully something will be done to stop the erosion in the not too distant future!!!

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Leaving Wheelton Plantation the bridge takes us over Hatch Brook

 

A new roof and a lick of paint?!

 

Heading over Wheelton Moor towards Jubilee Tower

 

A carpet of leaves adorn the banks of Rake Brook

 

John and Ray enjoyed the tunnel access . . .

 

as do Tony and John

 

The weir between Roddlesworth Reservoirs . . .

 

looking down . . .

 

and up from the bridge

 

The nearby walls provide a good spot . . .

 

for our morning break

 

Leaving the woodland the reservoir can be seen through the leafless trees . . .

 

and Wheelton can be seen in the distance

 

There are a number of paths in Sunnyhurst Woods, and this bridge takes one path over the brook

 

The group finds time to . . .

 

explore the bandstand . . .

 

before climbing up to the Lych Gate

 

A bird's eye view from the top of the Tower . . .

 

Sunnyhurst Hey and Earnsdale Reservoirs

 

Darwen is surrounded by fields and moors . . .

 

but Blackburn sprawls out across the landscape

 

Down . . .

 

and out!

 

What a difference 180 degrees makes - Blackburn to the North-east . . .

 

and Darwen Moor to the South-west

 

The sun highlights the Tower . . .

 

as we make our way across the moor

 

The Tower fades into the distance . . .

 

as Great Hill comes into view

 

The Well House at Hollinshead Hall, an early holy well restored in the 17th century

 

The ruins of the hall provide a good spot for lunch

 

Still sunny, as we leave Tockholes Plantations . . .

 

and begin the climb . . .

 

along a rather 'mushy' path . . .

 

to Great Hill . . .

 

and 'wetness' remains the order of the day as we descend to White Coppice

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