GM Ringway Trail. Stage 12

 Thursday 25th September 2025.

Stage 12 covers the route between the Bridge Inn on Edenfield Rd Norden to Bury Metro station.

Another lovely morning for September had Sheila and I meeting Martin, Sue, Rick and Paul in Norden for another stage of the GM Ringway Trail. It's a fine walk of 21.42 km and 516 metres of ascent.

Today the route is a quiet countryside walk, a variable landscape of moorland, hills, pastures, hamlets, remote farms and reservoirs. Not too long ago it was very different, there were many mills that used the water from the moorland streams to create power for cotton washing, spinning and weaving. Bleach works and paper mills, coal mines and quarrying. The sounds would have echoed across the hillsides and probably smoke and steam would have filled the valleys. 

We started up Greenburn Rd passed Doctors Dam reservoir which used to supply water to a bleach works Tenterhouse Mills.

We then headed up to the grassy bank of Greenbooth reservoir dam. A structure 117ft high and 1000 ft long. The Greenbooth reservoir was built after the three Naden reservoirs which date from 1846 and was built by Heywood Waterworks co. Many objections from the mill owners lower down in the valley who feared a disruption to their water supplies. Then in 1952 the company decided to build the Greenbooth reservoir to supply Rochdale. It started work in 1956 and submerged the village of Greenbooth. It was completed in 1965 and holds  700 million gallons of water.

The mill in Norden was closed in 1911 and the flooded valley encapsulated it along with 46 cottages, a co-op and a school.

Doctors Dam

Greenbooth Reservoir

Today's team. Me, Martin, Rick, Paul and Sue. Sheila taking the photo.

The outflow from the small Rain Shore reservoir which used to supply two mills now long gone.

The trail climbs the slopes of Knowle Hill gradually using old green lanes and paths and it isn't until the final ascent that the gradient increases. We passed the old dwelling of Fordoe and down Fordoe Lane. The cottage is very old and now unoccupied. We could only see the rear of the property.

Fordoe.

Passed Higher Knowle Farm which has acquired the name East Knowle Farm on new maps the views begin to open up of the upper reservoirs and surrounding hills.

Naden Reservoir

Naden and Greenbooth reservoirs

Rain Gauge enclosure.

The old 1860's maps show a rain gauge location where today just an old metal enclosure remains.

At the stile in the last enclosure wall we headed upwards onto Knowle Hill proper, past modern wind turbines . Knowle Hill is a prominent feature on the skyline and is easily observed from many positions around the North Manchester Area.It also has history dating back to prehistoric times with linear ditches.

Knowle Hill.

Rick and Paul reach the summit first. The trig point number is OSBM 1121.

The view south west from the summit and our onward route.

We were on the leeward side of the hill in glorious sunshine so decided to have a brief stop for a coffee/tea etc. Then we made our way down to Edenfield Rd.

Striding out on Edenfield Rd, passing Old Betts pub which was called The Hare and Hounds previously. Built in 1796.

At the next bend in the road and just before The Ashworth View. we dropped down a flight of steps onto land beside Cheesden Brook which was formed during the last Ice Age and has had human visitors for 4000 yrs. There was a mass of works in this valley stretching down to Birtle in the south. One of the first legal grants to carry out work in the valley was given by Elizabeth 1st to John Blackwall to mine coal in 1580.

The first Mill, a Fustian Mill,  was probably at Kershaw Bridge in 1780 owned by Thomas Allanson. (We don't walk past this today).

The Brook was modified will dams and races to take advantage of the water in the area and it powered about 15-20 mills, employing 2000 people. New pathways were installed to bring in the people and one good example of this can be found near Lumb Mill.

We investigated the surroundings of Lumb Mill and it is still a special place.

Lumb Mill (Lower) was also known locally as Alice O'Shoddy's. A strange name. It dates from 1786. A 3 storey wall still can be seen alongside a good and picturesque waterfall through a stone archway.

Further down the water course ruins of Croston mills can be found with a bit of looking. The Croston Mills closed around 1890. Then passing the old school house which today is being re-furbished to a high standard. Longlands mill on the far side of Closes Mill pond is long gone, but Closes house is enlarged and looking a fine residence. The mill was cotton and opened around 1838. The mill closed in 1893.

The Old School House at Closes. Buckhurst Rd.

Closes Reservoir which fed Longlands Mill.

     

Closes House.

The next point of interest was in Deeply Vale, passing more mill ponds on our right the remains of the paper and print works can still be seen. The original mill was washed away in a storm of 1828. Another print mill was built later but it came at a cost, the owner of the mill, Mr Earnshaw, fell into the gearing of a new machine and was killed.

Deeply Vale Print Mill.

We were getting close to the half way point of the walk and some stomach's were rumbling. We found a nice grassy spot in full sun for lunch. Adjacent was the remains of a bleach works with the chimney still intact poking above the trees. A footbridge over the brook can be taken for those wanting to investigate. We didn't have time on this trip. It's name was Washwheel. Built by James Almond as a cotton spinning mill. It was sold to Joseph Shepherd who changed it's use to bleaching cotton. Now only the chimney remains as the stone from the building was taken and used elsewhere.

Photo taken from our lunch spot. Conversation included imagining all the people who used to work here and the smell of the bleaching and the pollution in the brook. Then that famous saying from King Henry V, "Once more unto the Bleach dear friends, once more".

Post lunch the trail climbs steadily up 250ft and leads to Old Birtle. 

Passing a field with Alpaca we came across a farm that has diversified into a cafe. Unfortunately at this time of year it is only open Sunday's. It's called Valley View Tea Pod. It looked very inviting.

Click HERE for their Facebook page.

A short minor road walk brought us passed some beautiful houses in Birtle where opposite the Pack Horse pub a footpath leads passed an old row of stone cottages. The view opens up of the Pavilion restaurant and two large mill ponds which used to feed another Bleach Works. Again this area was a hive of industry last century. 

A few fine houses can be admired as we progressed past the old school house and along Castle Hill Rd and Birtle Moor. I currently have no explanation of why it is called Castle Hill. I will find out asap.

The road is minor and very quiet. We passed Hercules Farm and then took a left turn which leads through the farm yard of Sillinghurst. As we reached the farm, the trail notes are a little ambiguous and we took the wrong turn but was quickly put back onto the right path by the farmer. We had a pleasant chat about walking routes and about his new JCB telescopic handler.

The path leads down hill and across the M66 motorway. It was very busy but we were soon into Chesham Woods Nature reserve. Our route winds it's way through the grounds of Lowes Park Golf Course before dropping down to Limefields valley with it's own mill ponds which used to feed Fulling Mills, Tenters, Walmersley Bleach works and an old Lowes brick works. Today only tranquility remains, a field of donkey's and a few posh houses.

Chesham Wood Nature reserve.

View across to Holcolme Tower from beyond Lowes Golf course.

The quiet valley with the new developments in work.

What is left of the mill ponds.

Walking west down a green lane we eventually came to the busy Walmesley Rd which we crossed and made our way on a narrow path behind some houses, dropping down to Pigs Lee and Burrs Country Park. A steam train could be heard on the East Lancs Heritage railway but we couldn't see it from our position. We went under the railway bridge and came out at the cafe in the park. It was just closing time but we managed a coffee and a cake whilst the staff cleaned up around us.

I managed to have a chat with a tractor driver who had a Kobota M5112 tractor. He told me his brother had a large John Deere tractor which we spotted as we made our way into Bury.

Kobota M5112 Tractor.

John Deere 6210R tractor.

Cafe, Burrs Country Park.

The route into Bury town centre was marred by Sheila not feeling well at all. We did stop to take a shot of the River Irwell weir which was impressive but she just wanted to get home.

River Irwell weir at Bury.

Thanks to Martin and the crew for another splendid outing.

Todays route. 21.42 km. 516 metres ascent.