Walk leader: Andrea Foster

Number on Walk: 10

Distance: 13 miles

Weather: humid, sunny and dry  

Starting at Moss Bank park we walked passed the cafe and rose garden, up the road to the former mill cottages (first to fifth Street) off Bazley Street, built by Thomas Bazley in the early 1800’s. Stopping at the Barrow Bridge bus terminus, we paused for “a little bit of history” about the former cotton mills that once stood here and Thomas Bazley’s life and achievements. Then following Dean brook to climb the 63 steps it was onto Walker Fold where we took the main path via Brown Lowe and Holden's farm and up to the newly placed stepping stones that take you to the two lads.  Here we paused to admire the fabulous views. After this we continued along the stepping stones in the direction of Winter Hill.  The road directly at the top was closed due to maintenance work on the mast, so we rested for lunch on a wall nearby.

From here it was all down- hill, walking along another paved path onto Smithills Shooting hut and the “Trespass Stone” we paused at the gate for a little bit more history on the mass trespass that took place on three consecutive Sundays in September 1896 by thousands of local people in protest of the closure of this path by Colonel Richard Ainsworth (owner of Smithills Hall and Estate). Then with the small lake known as Bolton Beach on the horizon Kate told us about a regular group who meet there to bathe called the Blue tits. The descent took us through some wooded paths for which we were all grateful of the shade due to the heat of the day. Crossing Colliers Row Road we headed towards Smithills Dean Road and crossing this we turned right at Tippet House to Smithills Open Farm where we could not help but stop for ice cream. Then crossing Smithills Dean Road again we threaded our way along the houses via a squeeze bally alley and small wood emerging at the famous landmark Barrow Bridge Chimney. Built in 1863 it stands at some 80 metres tall. Finally back to Moss Bank Park. Thank you to all those who joined the walk, for your company and smiles.