A group of 20 people and 2 dogs  set off from Dole Lane, Abbey Village on a rather grey overcast day. We initially headed past Red Lea Farm and on across fields to Higher Hill and the 17^th century Higher Hill farm.  A walk along the bridle way  (following - at a very safe distance - a tractor spraying slurry into the adjacent field) and down the cobbled Donkey Brew  took us across the end of Earnsdale reservoir then began the climb to Darwen Tower and West Lancs’ adopted trig point.  The tower, built for Queen Victoria diamond jubilee was opened in 1898 and cost £773-3s-5d to build.  The first top was wooden and succumbed to gale force winds in 1947.  This was replaced by a fiberglass one which survived until 2010 when it too suffered the same fate.  The current top was made by local engineering firm WEC Group and is made of steel.

Leaving Darwen Tower we made our way over Darwen Moor before descending on the path by Stepback Brook to the visitor centre at Ryal Fold, Tockholes. 

A lunch stop here then down through Tockholes Plantation to cross the river Roddlesworth and make our way up to cross the A675. We then followed paths across a rather soggy Withnell Moor to join the minor road – Well Lane - which we followed into Brinscall.

From Brinscall it was an easy walk along the path which follows part of the route of the disused Chorley to Blackburn “Cherry Tree” railway line. This line built in 1866-69 was a joint venture between the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway and the Lancashire Union Railway primarily to connect collieries in the Wigan area with the developing towns of East Lancashire.

A very pleasant 10.7 mile walk and considering all the rain we have had in the previous days not as boggy and waterlogged as I had feared!  Thank you to everyone who came and kept me company.

To see who came on the walk please press the photo below

  To see the rest of the photos please press Here then the first photo followed by the arrow on the right hand side