Information on walks, wildlifeand local history can beobtained free from the VisitorCentre. The centre houses anexhibition gallery for localartists and also childrens’environmental activities.

For opening times contact01254 701545 or visitwww.blackburn.gov.uk/parks

NOTES FOR WALKERS

If you have enjoyed this walk, whynot try out one of the other HeritageTrails within the West PennineMoors: Belthorn, Edgworth or theTockholes North and South trails.The latter two can be combinedto form an enjoyable five-milecircular walk.

Essential Kit The OS Explorer Map No. 287 (West Pennine Moors) providesexcellent aid and information onall areas covered in this guide. (Ordnance Survey tel: 08456050505 / www.ordsvy.gov.uk)

Further InformationIf you are travelling to the start of the walkusing public transport, please contactTravel Line on:

Tel: 0871 200 2233.Web: www.traveline.org.uk

Blackburn Central Railway Station(Enquiries). Tel: 08457 484950.

For information on local attractions, events,places of interest and accommodation,please contact Blackburn TouristInformation Centre. Tel: 01254 688040.Email: visit@blackburn.gov.ukWeb: visitblackburnwithdarwen.com

Alternatively visit the Blackburn withDarwen website at:www.blackburn.gov.uk/parks

Blackburn with Darwen CountrysideServices Office. Tel: 01254 691239for countryside information and events oremail: countryside@blackburn.gov.uk

Please note that every effort has been taken to ensuredetails are correct at the time of printing. Blackburnwith Darwen Borough Council cannot acceptresponsibility for any errors or omissions, nor anyconsequence arising from use of the information.

Reprinted Dec 2008 by Blackburn with Darwen Borough CouncilCountryside Services.

Photos: Mike Tattersall, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Counciland Simon Booth.

DarwenTower Walk 2

A walk of 2 miles,1.5 hours – one short steep ascent

Sunnyhurst Wood Huntington Bridge.

The hills of the Lake Districtbeyond grace the northernskyline and join the Forest ofBowland, the Yorkshire Dales,and the three statuesque giants,Whernside, Ingleborough andPen-y-ghent.

A splendid view of Darwen canalso be obtained. Note the 300-foot India Mill chimney, whichwas modelled on the style of aVenetian campanile.

SUNNYHURST WOODAdjacent to the car park is aLychgate giving access to thewood.

Sunnyhurst Wood wasoriginally planted in the early1800’s to provide cover forgame birds, but was purchasedby public subscription in 1902and developed as a woodlandpark. Covering some 85 acresthe wood lies in an attractivevalley which is rich in both birdand plant life. Over 280 speciesof flowering plants can be seentogether with a variety ofwoodland birds including theGreat spotted woodpecker,Nuthatch, Tree creeper, Tawnyowl and the very shy Jay. Alongthe stream the Grey wagtail,Kingfisher and Dipper can alsosometimes be glimpsed.

Along the banks of SunnyhurstBrook in Sunnyhurst Wood isthe picturesque Olde EnglandKiosk, erected in 1911 –12 bypublic subscription tocommemorate the Coronationof King George V.

The Kiosk serves drinks andsnacks, is fully licensed and isalso registered for marriageceremonies. For opening timescontact (01254) 701530.

Ramblers at the Lychgate Hotel

Red Grouse

A West PennineMoors Trail

• Explore 90 square miles of unspoiltmoorland, numerous reservoirs andbeautiful woodland

• Discover hidden valleys and exploresome of the many historic villages

• Enjoy getting close to nature – seeCurlews, Peregrines and Brownhares

• Wander the long distance walk, theWitton Weavers Way – the full 32miles, or one of four shorter circularwalks

• Large areas of the West PennineMoors are designated ‘Open Access’

THE WEST PENNINE MOORS EXPLORE! DISCOVER! ENJOY!

see Ordnance Survey map Explorerseries No. 287 West Pennine Moors.

For more information contact TheGreat House Barn 01204 691549 orvisit www.westpenninemoors.com

WEST PENNINE MOORS

WEST PENNINE MOORS

Sunnyhurst HeyReservoir

EarnsdaleReservoir

ToA666 /DarwenTown Centre

SNIDDLE HILL LANE

STEPBACK BROOK

StepbackClough

Sunnyhurst WoodCar Park

Sunnyhurst Wood

KISSINGGATE

STILE

STILE

STILE

STONEMARKER

STONEMARKER

STONEMARKER

STONEMARKER

STONEMARKER

‘OWDAGGIES

O.S. MARKER DARWENTOWER

KISSINGGATE

KISSINGGATE

LYCHGATEHOTEL

WATERMAN’SCOTTAGE

HIGHERWENSHEADFARM

P

SUNNYHURSTPUBLIC HOUSE

ToRyal Fold

1START

2

7

3

4

5

6

8

9

10

Darwen Tower Walk No. 2 A walk of 2 miles, 1.5 hours – one short steep ascent A WEST PENNINE MOORS TRAIL

1Start from Sunnyhurst WoodLychgate car park. Browntourist signs off the A666 directyou up Earnsdale Road to thiscar park.

2Turn right out of the car parkup the lane leading pastWaterman’s Cottage. At thefork keep left, climbing up thehill. Below to the right isEarnsdale Reservoirconstructed in 1854 to supplyDarwen with water. Nowsheltered by trees it provides ahaven for waterfowl in thewinter. Note also SunnyhurstWood nestling in the valleybottom and Darwen GolfCourse on the hillside beyond.

3Continue along the farm trackpassing Higher Wenshead Farmon your left going through afarm gate. Keep ahead and gothrough a second gate. Bearleft and climb the steps up thehillside. Note the stonewaymarker, with the carving ofDarwen Tower and directionarrow, as you pass over thestile. This is the first of severalmarkers you follow on yourroute to Darwen Tower.

4At the top of the steps followingthe path in front the remains ofStepback Cottage better knowas ‘Owd Aggies’. The namederives from the owner whowas attacked by armed thievesin 1860. They ransacked thecottage and stole £5. It laterbecame a refreshment houseserving teas of oatcakes andbuttermilk, which became a

favourite rendezvous for localwalkers. It fell into disrepairearlier last century.

5Carry on up the track to the topof the hill. Turn left at thewooden bench which overlooksStepback Clough. This is typicalof the small wooded valleys tobe found on the fringes of thehigh moorland in this area.Stepback is also steeped in localhistory. It is believed to havegot its name when OliverCromwell, on the moor withhis troops in bad weather said,‘step back, go no further’.How true this is, no one canreally be sure! There ishowever some evidence tosuggest that opposing forcesskirmished not far away inTockholes. As you turn left atthe bench note the stonewaymarker again as youcontinue along the path.

Along this path your can enjoyfine views to your left. NoteRyal Fold, a small group offarmhouse and whitewashedcottages. Amongst the trees isRoddlesworth café andinformation centre (Tel: 01254708568)

6Continue along the path,forking right past a stonewaymarker. To your left isSunnyhurst Hey Reservoircompleted in 1875. At onetime, during dry weather whenlevels were low, water waspumped out of old floodedmine workings to replenish thereservoir.

7Ahead a short path on the rightleads up to Darwen Tower.

DARWEN TOWERDarwen Tower standsoverlooking the town at aheight of 1225feet and is 86feet tall. It is the mostprominent landmark in thearea. It has a circular viewingplatform on the way up as wellas the parapet walk at the top.Its history is written on theshield on the front of thetower.

WILDLIFE ON THE MOORIf walking early in themorning, look out for theoccasional fox out hunting.Red Grouse can be seen allyear round on the moor, withCurlew and Meadow Pipit inthe rough pasture. PeregrineFalcons can sometimes be

9With the kissing gate on yourright continue down the track.To the left you can see theWater Treatment Plant adjacentto Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir.

10Continue on passing through agate and on down the track. Asthe path splits into two, takethe fork to the left. At the endof the path turn left (oppositethe Sunnyhurst Pub) alongTockholes Road back toSunnyhurst Wood Lychgate carpark.

THE VIEW FROM THE TOWERTo the south nearby are WinterHill (1,498ft) with its TV andradio mast and also Great Hillmerging with distantSnowdonia and Great Orme’sHead, with the Irish Seabeyond. On a clear day theIsle of Man can be seen.

Further along the coast,Southport, Preston and theRibble Estuary, Blackpool andits tower lead to the RiverLune and Black Combe inCumbria.

This circular walk takes in some fantastic views of the surroundingcountryside from Darwen Moor.

You are strongly advised to use these walk details in conjunction with OS Explorer mapNo. 287, West Pennine Moors.

Sunnyhurst Wood Visitor Centre At the foot of Darwen Tower. An ideal spot for a picnic stop.

The Lychgate at Sunnyhurst Wood

Family Walking on Darwen Moor

Abundant Wildlife.

spotted circling overhead.Alongside the drystone walls inthe spring look out forWheatear. The walls are alsohome to mice, weasels and theCommon lizard.

8After visiting the Tower, retraceyour steps down the hill to theOrdnance Survey triangulationpoint. Take the path on theright and at the next junctioncarry on straight ahead downthe broad path. As you followthe path down note the kissinggate on your right. This isNOT the route back but is thetop of Sniddle Hill Lane as itwinds downhill to Darwentown centre. A separate leaflet‘Darwen Tower Walk No 1’covering this route was devisedin 1996 to commemorate thegranting of public access to themoors a hundred years earlier.