Скачать с ютуб Circular walk - Peel Tower from Ramsbottom Station with magificent views over the city of Manchester в хорошем качестве

Circular walk - Peel Tower from Ramsbottom Station with magificent views over the city of Manchester

Peel Tower, Holcombe Moor, Bury, Lancashire During lockdown we took the opportunity to do some walks closer to home. We have walked this route once previously with our adult children, when we got lost. However, today we were determined to find the correct route. The walk has everything,  incorporating a beautiful village, an old monument, stupendous views, an ancient pilgrim way, and ending in a beautiful river valley. It is about 8 miles, taking 3-4 hours. I realise that the instructions might sound a bit complex, but the varied walk makes it worthwhile. We arrived by car from our Manchester home, parking on the free car park at Ramsbottom Station. Alternatively the tram can be caught from Manchester to Bury, and then when it is running catching the East Lancashire Railway alighting at Ramsbottom. The route turns left from the station past Aldi, and goes straight on down a small road past a TNT yard. Where the road turns left to Nuttall Park turn right climbing up the hill for a distance of 200m. Then left down Bolton Road, passing St Andrews Church built in1832 by William Grant, turn right at the lights up Dundee Street. Alternatively walk through Ramsbottom village to this point. Passing a fascinating old school building with a plaque dated from 1664. Turn left down Downfield Close, it the end of the close are 2 flights of steps, take the one found on the right. Turn left following an ancient cobbled path through a very pretty beech wood, complete with bird song. Through gaps in the wood the first views to Peel Tower can be seen. On arrival at the 17th century pub-The Shoulder of Mutton, Holcombe, cross the road and turn left. The pub is a Grade 2 listed building and well worth calling in. This is the only opportunity for food/drink/toilet on the walk. Turning right down Cross Lane past interesting old houses, then right down Moorbottom Road. From here turn right and continue up the track or proceed straight up the stone steps. Ten minutes later the top of the hill is reached. At 330m (1100feet) there are magnificent views of Manchester 14 miles south, the Pennines and the hills of Wales in the far distance can all be seen. It is really worth the 2 mile - one hour journey here from Ramsbottom Station. On the hill, the local landmark of Peel Tower standing at 39m (128 feet) can be found. It was built in 1852 to mark the achievements of local Robert Peel, who as Prime Minister repealed the corn laws and as Home Secretary created the modern police force. Apparently the tower does open, with 148 steps to the top. Contact Bury Tourist board for details. From here if you have had enough the route back down could be taken. However, if doing a circular walk continue north taking the well worn path to the right of the hollow, continuing through a gate, then along the obvious path over the moors, following the West Pennine Way. After a mile, Pilgrims Cross is reached. Unfortunately the cross is no longer there, but there is a large stone with the following inscription.:- “On this site stood the ancient Pilgrims Cross. It was standing in A.D.1176 and probably much earlier. Pilgrims to Whalley Abbey prayed and rested here.” “In A.D. 1176 and in A.D. 1225 the Pilgrims Cross is named in charters of gifts of land in Holcombe forest. In A.D. 1662 King Charles II gave this manor to General Monk, Duke of Abermarle through whom it has descended to the present lord of the manor.” “Nothing is known of the removal of the ancient cross, but its massive socketed foundation remained here until August 1901” “This memorial stone was placed here in May 24th 1902 by the copyholders of the manor and others”. A fantastic piece of history. Taking the obvious path to the right of the large stone, there are some marker posts, great views in the distance and some ruins to the right. The path gradually drops in height, and after about 15 minutes of walking, turn right by a stone wall. Cross the track, and go through a gate, following the path to the left of Buckden Wood. Cross over the main road, down a track, then turn right for 10m, go over 2 styles, cross the stream on a footbridge, following the Rossendale Way signs. Take the most worn path alongside the very pretty stream for another ten minutes, along an ancient cobbled path, emerging at Buckden Barn, and a hamlet of Strongstry. Turn left through Strongstry, passing under 2 railway bridges, turn right immediately after the 2nd one, continue along the path following the very pretty banks of the River Irwell. Left down the path behind the houses. Coming out at Stubbins, turn left along the bridge over the river, cross the road, continue, then turn right through a gate, and down a track through some fields. Continue behind the factory, left down Kenyon Street. Right onto the main road, over the river with a beautiful weir then left back to the station. Full details of websites and resources used can be found on www.hikingwithdaveandbarbara.co.uk