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PILGRIMS' WAY
Follow the route of the Pilgrims 
from Whalley to Manchester.
For detailed information on this walk click
Pilgrims' Way
or click the picture.
Walk Reports
Monday 2nd February 2026
Kirklees Valley and 7 Mills Walk.
On a very chilly and overcast morning forty five walkers set out from Greenmount Old School to discover the ruins of seven of the many mills that used to operate in the local area. We started the walk by heading down Kirklees Trail as far as Sheperd Street where we turned right and walked to Holcombe Road. After turning left, we made our way over Brookhouse Bridge to the site of the first of the seven mills, Brookhouse Mill, which started life as a spinning mill later it became a weaving mill. It is the only one of the mills still in operation, having been bought by Cormar Carpets, in 1959. The route then took us up a narrow footpath to Stormer Hill Fold, the site of Stormer Farm. Once through the fold we headed across the fields to the site of the second mill, Stormer Hill Works, originally a spinning mill but later becoming a bleach works and finally a textile finishing works until 1997. The building is now let to small enterprises.
Brookhouse Mill
Stormer Hill Mill
From the mill, we headed down Mill Street to Island Lodge Viaduct, this seven arch bridge, opened in 1882, was part of the railway branch line between Bury and Holcombe. After walking under the viaduct, we followed the path around the lodge to the ruins of the third of our mills, Tottington Mill, which also started life as a cotton spinning mill later becoming a calico printing works, initially owned by Joshua Knowles but passing to his brother, Samual, after Joshua’s death in 1853. After spending time learning about the history of the mill, we crossed the bridge over Kirklees Brook walked around the mill lodge before descending to a footpath along the side of the brook and the site of the fourth mill, Kirklees Print Works, originally an early cotton spinning mill using the Arkwright’s water frame. At the end of the path we crossed over the cobbles on Kirklees Street and continued to follow the brook, with the site of Kirklees Bleach Works, the fifth of our mills and now a housing estate, on our left. ICI Courtauld took over the site in 1962 only to close it in the same year.
Island Lodge
Tottington Mill ruins
Heading to Kirklees Print Works
Leaving the brook we climbed through the wood to Kirklees Trail, turning left and heading to the Millenium Bridge, where we looked over to the site of Throstle Grove Mill, which mill six, and it is completely overgrown. After walking along the trail for a short distance we turned right and followed a footpath down to our seventh and final mill, that of Woolfold Mill. As with many other mills it started life as a cotton mill only to become one of the world’s largest paper mills in 1865. By this time, it was called Olives Paper Mill, and it continued to produce high quality paper until 2005.
Leaving the brook
Looking for Throstle Grove Mill
Olive Mill
Coffee stop
It was just a short walk to the bottom of Brandlesholme Road where we stopped for our morning coffee in a small park before joining the Kirklees Trail and walking back to Greenmount, having covered six historic miles.
Wednesday 21st January 2026
Three Reservoirs Walk, Jumbles, Wayoh, and Entwistle.
The second long walk this month began at Jumbles Country Park, on a dull but dry morning with eighteen walkers turning right out of the car park, and headed past the café continuing along the shore of Jumbles Reservoir, as far as the concrete bridge. Staying on the path we followed Bradshaw Brook, through the woods into Turton Bottoms, where we crossed Bolton Road, and headed up to the Black Bull.
Jumbles Reservoir
Bradshaw Brook
Turton Bottoms
After turning left at the pub, we joined a footpath which took us to the embankment of Wayoh Reservoir, the second of our three reservoirs. At the end of the embankment, we climbed the steep slope up to a field at the top, that is designated an area of Scientific Interest. Once across the field we joined a path which descended to the shore of the reservoir and followed it to Crow Trees Lane, which we crossed and continued to follow the path to the top of the reservoir. After crossing the footbridge, over Broadhead Brook, we began the steep climb in Entwistle where we stopped for our morning coffee break.
Wayoh Reservoir
The top of Wayoh
Once refreshed we joined the track, to the left of the Strawbury Duck, passing the houses on our left, built for the employees of the railway. Continuing down the track we soon arrived at the shore of Entwistle Reservoir, the third of our reservoirs, where after passing through a gate, on our right, we continued to walk around the reservoir eventually arriving at Entwistle Reservoir Upper Car Park.
Entwistle
The top of Entwistle Reservoir
After walking across the car park, we joined a footpath that took us through the woods where we had a view, on our left, of the reservoir overflow which is the start of Bradshaw Brook. Continuing through the woods we soon had sight of Bradshaw Brook Railway Viaduct, built in 1848, and after spending time admiring the structure, we continued to descend to the shore of Wayoh Reservoir. We continued along the shore, back to the embankment where we turned right and walked into Chapeltown, where we had booked lunch at the Chetham Arms.
Railway Viaduct
Chetham Arms
Back to Jumbles
It was just a short and familiar walk back to Jumbles Reservoir having covered ten respectable miles.
Monday 5th January 2025
Sunrise Moorland Walk.
On a very cold but crystal clear morning seventeen hardy walkers ventured from the car park in Lumb Carr at 7.00am. Once across the road we joined the footpath opposite and headed for Holcombe Old Road where we turned right and walked into Holcombe Village, continuing the route along Moor Road, passing Margaret Haes Riding Centre on our left before joining the access track up to Harcles Farm also on our left. After walking for a short distance, we turned right onto a narrow path, on our right, and started the steep climb around Harcles Hill, looking back we could clearly see the lights in the valley below.
Lights in the valley
The light from our head torches was assisted by the bright moonlight and we soon arrived at the small stone cain and followed the flagstone to Pilgrim’s Cross. By this time the sky was getting lighter, so we quickly continued our climb to the summit of Bull Hill, where some of us took advantage of the sun not yet being risen to have a warm coffee. We were all facing in a south easterly direction when the sun started to rise changing the colour of the snow covered moors around us into pinks and mauves, before we enjoyed the suns full rays.
Waiting
Almost there
Full sun
After spending some time appreciating our experience and how lucky we were to have had such a clear sky, we began our descent to Buckden Wood and once through the gate into the wood we were continued to be blest with the sunlight shining through the trees onto the pristine snow. At the bottom of the wood we turned right and walked into Stubbins where we joined the footpath that took us through Ox Hey Wood and Top Wood, eventually arriving on Carr Street in Ramsbottom.
Descent
Heading to Buckden Wood
The wood
Top Wood
By this time, we were ready for out well deserved breakfast at Owen’ Restaurant. Once refreshed we headed back to Lumb Car, through Tagg Wood having covered severn memorable miles.
Breakfast
Saturday 27th December 2025
Community Countryside Festive Walk
The last walk of the session and it was a record!! Seventy-Eight walkers filled the Old School yard before heading down Barndlesholme Road and taking a diversion along Vernon Road to look at the gargoyles on the folly built by John Turner in the 18th century. Once across Brandlesholme Road we headed for Tower Farm, another historical building, this one built in 1840 by Joshua Knowles. After turning left, we crossed Kirklees Brook at the site of Tottington Mill, owned at one time by Joshua Knowles.
Leaving Greenmount
Tower Farm
Wishing Stone
Following one of the many trails through the wood we soon arrived at the bottom of Kirklees Road and the Wishing Stone, said to be part of one of the local mills. After making our wishes we carefully walked down the cobbled track and across the bridge before passing the Holcombe Hunt Kennels on our left and the Wild Animal Sanctuary on our right. Once past the sanctuary we turned right into Kingsbury Wood and walked down to Garside Heys Road, where we turned right again and made our way back to Kirklees Brook.
Crossing the brook
In the woods
After crossing the second bridge, over the brook, we started to climb out of the valley and into Kirklees Wood, where we continued to walk along some of the many paths that travers the wood until we joined the Kirklees Trail.
Most of the gang
Once on the trail we turned right and headed for our festive refreshments, of mulled wine and mince pies, served at the bottom of Laurel Street, in Tottington. By this time the sun had come out, and we spent some time meeting new and old friends before walking into Tottington Town Meadow to admire the mural dedicated to the heroism of George Stanley Peachment VC. The mural was unveiled in September 2022, to commemorate George’s bravery in saving the life of his commanding officer, Captain Dubs. The injuries sustained by George were fatal, but his captain lived. The mural shows King George V presenting the Victoria Cross to George Peachment’s mother posthumously and she is depicted in the mural with red roses round her. At the age of 18, George was the youngest person to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Festive Refreshments
The Mural
After leaving the mural it was just a short walk, along Kirklees Trail, back to Greenmount, having covered 3.4 festive miles.