TOCKHOLES, DARWEN MOORS and RODDLES WORTH 6.5 miles . Easy to Moderate (climb to Jubilee Tower 564 feet).
The walk commences from the free car park situated between The Ramblers tea room and Royal Arms at Rydal Fold, south of Tockholes village on the lane running north from the A675 Belmont Road to Bolton (so we have the choice of two cafes for refreshments). Sat Nav Ref 53.6892-2.50871,: O.S Ref SD665215 – directions below.
The walk takes us across lovely meadows, past Earnsdale Reservoir to a wide track leading to the Jubilee Tower from where the views (especially of Pendal Hill throughout) will amaze you. Weather permitting we will stop for a coffee break at the tower then follow various trods over moorland covered in heather in a south-westerly direction admiring the surrounding moors from where you can see the top of the Peel Tower at Holcombe (named after the famous politician and founder of the police force) before following a wide track down to the lane you will have driven along leading to Tockholes. At this point we will cross the road into the beautiful woods of Roddlesworth (now owned and expertly managed by United Utilities) where we can make a small detour to the ruins of the former Hollingsworth Hall. Depending again on the weather we can have lunch on the hillside before entering Roddlesworth or under the cover of the trees after crossing the road if wet.. We then walk north for about 2 miles following the river to the reservoir (both surprising named Roddleswoth – in case you forget where you are!). At which point we return up a steep but short hill to the start at Rydal Fold.
Start Time 10.15 a.m. There will be a maximum number of 20 people (including Sue and I) allowed on the walk.
To reach the start drivers from Lancaster should take the M6/M61 leaving at the first junction to join the M65 travelling east. Leave the M65 at the first junction you encounter (actually junction 3 sign posted for Blackburn West and Bolton). After leaving the junction go around the roundabout under the motorway to join the A675 signposted for Bolton. After driving through Abbey Village you will take a lane on the left sign posted Darwen which after about a mile and a half to 2 miles will bring you to the car park on the right.
The weather forecast appears favourable at present with a mixture of sunshine and showers. PLEASE TAKE NOTE THE MOORS CAN BE TRICKY IN CHANGEABLE WEATHER so please bring suitable clothes and walking gear. Walking poles are strongly advisable. On a positive note the current unusual spell of predominantly dry weather has resulted in the moors being dryer than usual – better for walkers but more vulnerable to moorland fires so any smokers, smoking will not be allowed on this walk.
To book your place on the walk please contact Mike on 01524734687 or 07720186041 before Friday 2 September at 8.00pm
Walks will be limited to a maximum as set by the walk leader (see above)
Booking is ESSENTIAL. You must book directly with the leader (usually by 8.00 pm on the Friday prior to the walk) as once the walk is fully booked there will be a waiting list. Also if you turn up on the day without booking you will be refused on the walk. If you have booked on a walk and find you are unable to attend please let the walk leader know as soon as possible so that the place is available to someone else.
We are trying to car share as much as possible, both to conserve fuel and because there is often limited parking at the start of a walk. See Lancaster Walking Group WhatsApp group, either to offer a lift, or to see if a lift is available for that walk.