GM Ringway Trail - Stage 11. Littleborough to Norden.

 Tuesday 2nd September 2025.

After our last outing we decided that we would take the chance with our injuries and join Martin and company to walk Stage 11. (Our first stage btw).

Getting to Littleborough for the start meant that we took a bus to Castleton, then a train to Rochdale and then another train to Littleborourgh. We met up with Martin, Sue, Rick and Paul at 10.24am and went for a coffee.

The Coffee on the Corner shop does great coffee and superb breakfasts and other delights. I can recommend this place to anyone in the area.

The route should start following the Rochdale canal but because of path closures there is an alternate route on the official website. We didn't think the alternative was the best route as it is all road. We instead chose the nicer route of going past Hare Hill Park with the magnificent House taking centre stage. This was the home of the Newall family.

I won't bore you to death with a full history of the place but click on the link "HERE" if you want to know more.

The Newall family lived in the house for four generations from 1775 until the 1900's. The family were heavily involved in the making of Littleborough from 1453 -1901! The grounds are now a well kept public park.

Hare Hill House.

We got back on the GM R track adjacent to Town House where Gordon Harvey lived. He was MP for Rochdale 1906-1918. He was a political idealist, enlightened mill owner, local benefactor and pioneer environmentalist. So the blue plaque says on the house wall.

Gordon Harvey MP, photo courtesy of wikipedia.

Town House.

Lower Town House. (Farm).

Town House Mill (cotton), is no more and houses stand on the site. The mill had 200 employees and was owned by James Schoffield in 1871. 

The route leads passed these houses and onto Calderbrook Rd and then onto Clough Rd. A footpath is reached next to the end house on the left. (No.25). A pleasant path with a few nettles at the beginning gains height quickly and gives great views across the valley to Blackstone Edge. At the top of the hill we walked through Heights Farm which was all quiet. The cows with bull which we walked past in the previous post were nowhere to be seen today.

At last we were now on the moors and today the weather was very kind, we had to remove a layer of clothing as it was so warm. The scenery beyond the farm is wonderful and winds its way between the tops on a good track. Long Clough Brook running below us in the trees with a small reservoir, its water source.

Whiteley Knowle Reservoir feeding Long Clough Brook

Across the valley on Stansfield Hill we could hear the sound of trials bikes. They didn't come our way so that was good. We had a peaceful walk in that respect but we had lots to reminisce as we hadn't been out with this group for quite a while.

On the map our track was marked as the "W" Way, I'm yet to work out what the "W" stands for. (Maybe part of the Weighvers Way).We soon joined the Pennine Bridleway for a little while passing a small reservoir with a herd of cows and calves. This is where a farm used to be situated called Moor Gate. 

Un-named reservoir

The route undulates on its approach to Dobbin Hill and down to Watergrove reservoir. There used to be two more farms up here, Higher and Lower Dobbin but there is no sign of them today. 

Watergrove reservoir, like so many others at present is almost empty of water and the ground looks more like a meadow than a reservoir. We went to the visitor centre which was closed but noted what a fine building it was and what a lovely house it would make. (Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of it).

Watergrove visitor centre. (Closed). (Photo courtesy of Martin).

Dropping down from Dobbin Hill to Watergrove reservoir.

View of the reservoir meadow taken from the closed visitor centre.

Watergrove reservoir was built in the 1930's, flooding the village of Watergrove and three Mills. The mills provided work for many of the 300 people who lived there. The mills were named Watergrove, Roads and Alder Bank. Also a number of small farms were demolished to ensure no pollution got into the water.

The footings of Little Town, a farm, are still preserved and a few picnic tables provided us with a spot for coffee.

The footings of Little Town, Farm.

We crossed Higher Slack Brook which looked pretty awful considering it leads into the reservoir. The ferrous oxide didn't look attractive. None of us were brave enough to try crossing the old bridge. But we all made it across.

Higher Slack Brook.

Our route passed a Hawthorn in full berry and piles of masonry showed us where the old farmsteads used to be. It must have been quite a busy area prior to the reservoir being built. It makes me wonder what happened to all these people. 

We joined the Rossendale Way along Man Stone Edge and Lobden Golf Course. Another reservoir down on our left I found out is a fishery. 

One of the many abandoned or demolished farmsteads.

Heading down towards Lobden Golfcourse. 

The fishery.

It was time for some lunch so as soon as we found a good spot to sit down that's exactly what we did.

Plenty of seats were to be had in the wall of another small reservoir called Brownhouse Wham. What an unusual name. This reservoir and a lower one are now disused. They used to supply Rochdale with water. Some very nice cake and flapjacks were provided by Sue and Rick and some cookies by Paul. A bit of a competition ensued as to who had the poshest lunch bag. I'm saying nothing.

Brownhouse Wham reservoir (left) with some water in it. The reservoir to the right which is completely empty is called Hamer Pasture reservoir. Neither reservoirs are in use today, Hamer stopped in 1960 and Brownhouse in the 1990's as they proved too costly to maintain and they leaked.

During lunch I spotted a tractor beyond a smart farm house across the way. Clay Clough is its name. Some of us couldn't even spot the tractor so were a little surprised that I knew it was a David Brown, probably a 1490.

Zoomed in shot of the David Brown 1490.

Lunch spot with tractor in the distance. (Photo courtesy of Martin)

About 20 minutes for lunch and then we were off again, still on the Rossendale Way to Nar End and then Broadley. This is a delightful stretch of the trail in a pretty location. Snig Hall and Hopwood Hall to mention just a couple of lovely houses. Just by some grazing sheep a stone had carved into it the Moto

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there". Very true.

The Moto stone.

Wooley watchers.

I spotted a brick on the lane down to Broadley which says "Sparth". That was a brickworks in Rochdale which closed about 1902.

The lane which leads down to the main road is called Ending Rake and the image below with it's water pump is a splendid example of the local stonework.

Ending Rake

Across the road and into the area called Healey Dell which believe it or not we have never been to before. It's such a wonderful area that it deserves a blog post all of it's own. So I won't go into too much detail in this post. I will just say it's a deep tree lined gorge with the River Spodden flowing through it. Years ago there were a number of water powered mills, an ammunition factory, a viaduct and many other points of interest.

Here are a few photographs.

Through the dell we walked and we could have spent the afternoon exploring it. The tea rooms were closed although I hear it's quite expensive so we would have given it a miss anyway. Then we looped back on ourselves and took the high route across the viaduct seen in the last image above. This is part of the old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway  which is now a lengthy footpath/cycle route. I was looking out for any railway memorabilia along the route and there isn't much. I did spot the marker post with 14 on each side, and we stopped for our last brew on what looked like an old platform. Quite possibly Broadley Station.

14 marker post. This post indicates the distance from Manchester Victoria station. The triangular shaped milestone served as a railway boundary marker or distance marker on the former Liverpool to Bury railway line which was then incorporated into the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

The railway closed to passenger trains in 1947 but carried on with freight until August 21st 1967. By the end of 1967 all the tracks had been removed.

Railway buffers.

During our brew we had the pleasure of talking to a bit of an eccentric electric biker. There was quite a bit of banter between us. All very pleasant of course. Then it was out of the Dell onto a path beside an old mill lodge. It used to supply water to power Broadley Wood Cotton Mill which was built in 1818. It was one of the first mills in the area to change over from water power to steam power and that was why the lodge was made. A large fire engulfed the mill in 1873, the mill went into liquidation in 1927 and was demolished in 1960. As you pass today you wouldn't think there was ever any industry here. Now it's just a home for fish and birds.

Broadley Wood Lodge.

Lodge water lily.

We joined a cobbled lane leading to the lovely hamlets of Broadley Fold and Prickshaw, I recall a date of 1761 on the later buildings. There used to be an Inn here in this out of the way spot but we didn't spot any signs of it other than a small plaque saying the Star Inn. The place closed in the 1950's, it used to brew it's own beer. It was converted to a house in the 1990's. The lane is called Knacks Lane.

The cobbled lane through Broadley Fold and Prickshaw.

Our path or lane brought us out on Rooley Moor Rd also known as the famine road. This was built during the American Civil War when there was no cotton being imported and the folk were diverted into making the road paid for by Abraham Lincoln. We could hear a tractor struggling up the hill pulling far too much weight for it's size. It was another David Brown.

Approaching Rooley Moor Rd.

David Brown 1212

Petting the Pet.

My knee was giving me jip now but to be honest I was pleased to have got this far and I wasn't going to pack in now, so close to the end. Even though I knew that 200yds away I could get a bus back to Rochdale. So onward to Greenbooth set of reservoirs.

Looking back towards Rochdale and Turnshaw Hill reservoir from the last high point of todays walk.

Heading down to Greenbooth. Greenbooth Mill now underwater.

The reservoir not looking too bad.

Dropping down off the moorland to Greenbooth Rd we had a sign or two that somebody doesn't want company. Greenbooth Rd was a bit of a disappointment. The only disappointment of the whole walk. Its a bit of a dumping ground and an untidy place.

But we had one last reservoir Doctor Dam and a shot of a Heron. 

We were now on Edenfield Rd where we should have got the bus back to Rochdale town centre. The bus was due in 45 minutes I think Sue said and so she called for two taxis to get us back.

It had been a delightful walk. I had done some of it before but much of it was new to us and Healey Dell was a revelation that we will be heading back to soon.

Thanks Martin for organising it and thanks to everyone for the company.

I think the route was 20km.

 

Circular hike around Delph Reservoir, Turton, Bolton.

 Wednesday, 26th February 2025.

We had tried a couple of times to have a free day for one of Phreerunners day walks but for one reason or another it wasn't to be. So it was fortunate that we had a clear diary day for todays walk.

 Overnight the rain had poured but the morning showed some promise. The forecast was for showers spreading from the west. We set off to the start point which was 19 miles from home. It took us 1hr 20 mins. The motorway was a parking lot. Thankfully I no longer have to endure this torture everyday.

Sue, Martin and Andy were already there so after a brief chat we set off. There was a bit of a delay as after  6 or 7 minutes I realised I had left my camera on the back seat of the car. I had to go back for it.

A brief section of road walking brought us to a footpath leading up to where Parrs farm used to be. James Marsh was the last farmer but today you will have to look especially hard to find any signs of a property. Jeremiah Marsh occupied the property in the census for 1770.

Route to Parrs location.

Looking back towards Parr's farm location today.

A short steep section gave us our first glimpse of Delph reservoir. As the track levelled out to cross Turton Heights the views opened up. When a kind of dyke appeared, which I presume was an original drainage ditch spoil heap we followed this to a stile on the horizon. The "dyke", is now part of the Witton Weavers path but looking at the old maps this was never a footpath at all.

Path up onto Turton Heights.

First glimpse of Delph reservoir.

Walking along the "dyke" on todays Witton Weavers track.

Looking back towards Rivington Pike.

A quagmire of a stile. Cheetham Close top in the background.

Between the stile and Cheetham trig point there are stone circles marked on both the 19th century map and the latest OS map. Last time we were up here the grass was quite high and even though we searched the area we didn't find them. This time it was different and we quite quickly found the stone circles. Only one Druidical circle is marked on the old map but more are shown on the new map. We found two circles. We also found a flat stone with markings which I think points the way over Cheetham Close. Just a guess of course. We also passed a Bolton Corporation Boundary post.

An unusually marked stone.

Cheetham Close Trig Point without it's brass plate. It was never fitted according to OS Data.

Which way from here?

A wonderful viewpoint for Delph Reservoir and Rivington Masts.

From here we should have retraced our route back to the stile, crossed over and followed the wall west. However, I had it in my head that on our last visit in 2021 we went diagonally left to a gate in the wall. I was wrong, there was no gate but there was some through stones in the wall which were good enough to clamber over. Myself, Sue and Sheila did the wall climbing but Martin who has a sore knee, along with Andy retreated to the stile. Sorry guys, my fault.

We dropped down to a good path that eventually passed Horridges Farm, a survivor from before the 1746 map of Turton. John Warburton was the tenant in the 1770 census. A JCB 3CX with a 4 in 1 bucket with forks attachment was parked up and it looked like it doesn't get used much. I hope he oils those loader cylinders.

View across to Horridges farm which is in the trees upper right of centre.

After a brief stop for a brew we headed down the lane passing Dimple Hall where the path leaves the lane on the left crosses a field to a side road then follows a small stream down a pleasant wooded glade to the A666. It's a devil of a road.

Dimple Hall. (May have been called Tomasons previously.)

Crossing the road the right of way goes across a field to lane which passes by a very nice house that was originally Howarth's farm. The farm was occupied in 1770 by John Hamer.

We decided that as the field was very boggy we would use the track which goes to Howarth's. 

Unfortunately for us or fortunately depending on your viewpoint we were told that the entrance gate and first 30yds of the track is private property. I think we all thought he meant the whole track rather than the first 30yds because looking at the OS map below the PRW does actually use the farm track past the front of the house. So although the guy was correct to point out our minor trespass  I think it was a little pedantic. But he was in his rights to point it out. We apologised as we should have and there was no shotgun exit.

The PRW in question was from the red letter A to the red letter B. The private bit was where the black arrow points which is the way we went instead of starting at A.

Back on track we crossed a field to a lane by Walmsley Chapel and old Sunday school. Turned left and followed a good track made by the Water Corporation which crosses a well made bridge and exits onto Longworth Road. Although a minor road it can be quite busy and there is no footpath.

The reservoir overflow. I think the tower is a pumping station.

The reservoir was intended to be the first of five new reservoirs, but this one was the only one ever built. In 1908 it was intended to take 5 yrs and cost £250,000. However difficulties arose and then so did the 1st World War. This pushed costs up to £400,000 but Delph Reservoir was ready to use in 1921.

Reaching the modernised and much extended Critchley Fold a new footpath sign points the way down to Longworth Clough. A Takeuchi mini excavator was hiding behind the horse stables.

Once down by the stream we took advantage of a low bridge wall to have lunch. There used to be a mill here with a long water leat or goyt feeding the power source. All now long gone.

The mill was called Longworth Mill. It was a cotton mill and demolished in 1912.

A welcome lunch break taken in the location of Longworth Mill. (Thanks to Martin for the image).

Belmont or Eagley Brook. Different names for the same brook.

A pleasant walk was had alongside the brook which showed many signs of the recent storms and much flooding was obvious. Sue took advantage of a well built weir which provided the water for the goyt which went to the mill. We passed the now derelict old paper mill which must have been a huge place in its day. Then across the bridge and up to Longworth Road for a second time.

At the top of the hill the view into Manchester City centre could clearly be seen as was Rivington masts. 

We had a brief shower, nothing to write home about but the sky went very black for a short period of time. There's nothing left to see of Longworth Hall which stood a few feet away from the crossroads we were at.

A relatively new quarry got our attention as it isn't shown on the maps of 1830-1880 and it only appears on the 1940 map. The quarry is now completely full of water with many signs warning of the dangers involved in swimming there. It does seem tempting though.

Disused and flooded quarry at Valentines crossroads.

Manchester City centre.

Rivington Masts from Longworth Road.

The next section of the walk was new to me and planned by Martin to extend the day to around 12km.

Back up onto Turton Moor on a good track for a little while. The sky turned dark again and we had another short shower. A rainbow appeared and luckily I managed a photo before it disappeared.

Sue and Sheila in chatting mode.

Today these moorlands are empty but in the 18th and 19th century they would have been busy. Its hard to imagine as we walk round. Most of the industry and farms need to be searched out as very little remains. Old coal mines and iron workings too are hard to find. There was accommodation here and I think Coopers tenements may have been just that for all the quarries that once worked here. 

Coopers can still be seen in the distance as it's wall and window openings stand aloof.

Coopers tenements in a landscape which reminds me of Bronte Country.

A steep drop led us down to Owshaw Clough were mining workings can be found. Across the bridge and and a steep up.

Two shots of the crossing of Owshaw Clough.

A bit more boggy moorland was crossed before we handrailed Moss Side Plantation. Again it showed the devastation of storm damage with so many uprooted trees. The "Path" was crossed by numerous trees which had us finding diversions and many quagmires until eventually we came to the minor road which got us back to the car.

We managed to do the whole walk without waterproofs so that was a bonus. I didn't wear gaiters which was a mistake due to the numerous water courses and bogs we crossed. All in all it was a grand day out. It was good to be back out with Martin and Sue and good to meet Andy for the first time.

Thanks Martin for putting the walk on your agenda.

Here is the route map. Just a little under 12km.