A tour of Holcombe moor - 3/5/20

A tour of Holcombe moor. 3/5/20

A Lancashire lockdown leg-stretch

In true tradition of the AWW Rossendale branch we forgot to get a photo at the start of the walk, so here's a picture of Julie at the entrance to our drive (ha ha). This is actually a bridleway leading up to a moorland path.

The sign indicating Robin Hood's Well confirmed we were on the right route. Although we didn't know that Robin Hood had been ill!

As we climbed we passed a good crop of whinberries ripening in the sun. If we're still here in June or July it'll be tarts all round!

Good views back down the bridleway reminded us of why we were out of breath.

The well itself is still intact although the water is a little muddy looking. Apparently it was a drinking place for pilgrims on their way to Whalley and Sawley abbeys, both about 15 to 20 miles away, back in the day.

Unusually good signage, with a variety of options, kept us on the right path.

But hidden dangers awaited us! Fortunately there was no red flag today, so we carried on our merry way.

Eventually arriving at the Pilgrim's Cross. However the cross is long gone and nobody knows where, but this substantial pillar gives details of the site on each of its four sides. 

We continued southwards along the moorland plateau towards Peel tower, seen in the distance. It was constructed to commemorate Sir Robert Peel who as Prime minister founded the metropolitan police force. Peel was born in nearby Bury. Hence the terms Peelers and Bobbies. (Ken, am I right?)
In the far distance you might be able to make out the outline of Manchester's high rises, 15 miles away.

The tower can be seen from miles around and is also known as Holcombe tower, after the village below it.

At this time of year the cotton grass opens up and in a few weeks the moor top will appear to be covered in snow. In winter it often is.

Not exactly crop circles, the clumps of hardy grass up here seem to grow sideways to reduce the effects of the wind giving these odd effects

Yes we've learnt how to do panorama shots. Tap and slide to see.This is the western edge of the moor.
Somewhere in in the bottom of this small valley is a Territorial Army centre with an assault course which was used in the TV programme The Krypton Factor, back in the 80s, if anyone remembers that!

Turning back northwards we eventually arrived at Bull hill. At 418m it is a similar altitude to the tops in the Caldeirao. And plenty of turbines too.

From here we headed back down to the valley and through woodlands where the white hawthorn buds were about to open.

No snakes on this walk, but we came across a slightly worse for wear shrew.

Bombeiros of the world unite. Even here moorland fires can be a real problem from spring onwards.
Especially this year as it has been the driest April on record and May continues in the same way. Hence the shortage of new green growth on the tops.

But bluebells brighten up the shady woodlands lower down.

An interesting bridge layout. Road and stream pass under another road Should we be up there?

And finally back home for a cup of something refreshing, by the blossoming apple trees.

Tony and Julie

Statistics: 12.4 km distance, 401m ascent, 3h 11m time.