COME WALKING
THE WEST PENNINE WAY & LINKS TO THE WEST PENNINE WAY
FRIDAY 5th MAY
Meet 6pm outside Greenmount Old School BL8 4DS or 6.15pm at LumbCarr Road Car Park, Holcombe BL8 4NN
A circular walk through the ancient village of Holcombe onto Holcombe Moor then over Harcles Hill, the highest point in Bury, returning via Peel Tower.
This is a lovely moorland walk with magnificent views far and wide, with the added bonus of passing the iconic Peel Tower.
The car park hold many cars if parked close to each other, if full use one side of the road.
Route:
Cross the road then turn right and follow the road to Holcombe village.
In a meadow on the right you can see the remains of a stone post. This according to Dr Whittaker a 19th century historian, could have been a place of execution as there was once a prison in Holcombe.
Dowsett in his book ‘Notes on Holcombe tells the story of Robert Attbrigge, born in 1266. Eight years prior to 1306 he had been a loyal trustworthy soldier for Henry De Lacy the lord of the Manor of Tottington, but the winterof 1305/6 was so severe, his wife and children were starving. He decided he had toget them something to eat, so he kills a fawn in the Royal Forest of Holcombe. Unfortunately he was seen and his punishment, under the barbaric laws of that time, was death by hanging.
Just before The Shoulder of Mutton, turn left then immediately right to follow the cobbled road which becomes stony as it goes uphill and over a cattle grid. Turn left at the fork intracts and continue uphill to the bend, here turn right on the old quarry track. Follow this through the disused quarry then bear right to climb to the top of Harcles Hill.
Just under the crest of Harcles Hill the 88th Connaught Rangers camped for some time after service in India and in preparation for the Crimean War. It is said that only 8 of these brave soldiers returned. One called Edward Lacy came back to Ramsbottom.
Continue on track over Harcles Hill towards Pilgrims Cross. At the first cross paths turn left and follow this over the moorland heading in a westerly direction, straight in line with Winter Hill Mast which can be seen in thefar distance. Continue to the edge of moorland here turn left and follow this path which contours the hillside.
The valley can be seen to the right with Red Brook flowing through it. This starts high on the moorland and as it continues down the valley it becomes Holcombe Brook.
Soon Peel Tower will come into view. The route takes us through a kissing gate and approaches Peel Tower from the back.
Peel Monument was built in 1851 and inaugurated in 1852. The cost, £1,000 was borne by public subscription from the residents of Ramsbottom and it was erected to Sir Robert Peel, not for being the founder of the modern police force but for repealing the Corn Laws.. The tower stands 128ft high and was built from stone quarried locally. It is open when the flag is flying, which is usually on a Sunday and at some public holidays.
We return back to the car park on the well-worn track down the hill, before turningright down the cobbled road to then turn left through a small gate which leads directly opposite the car park.