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| Shady Walkers near Read |
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Date : 4th April 2010
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Leader : Sue Larder |
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Report by : Sue Larder |
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Photos © : Sue Larder |
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| Through Shady Walks | |
There was a change of plan for Easter Sunday’s walk (my knees made a very convincing protest at the thought of going up Pendle from the Downham side when I attempted a recce on Good Friday). Instead 8 walkers set out for our walk from Spring Wood Picnic sight. Traditionally this is usually the day when everyone walks over Whalley Nab but that walk is scheduled for later in this years programme. The weather didn’t look too promising so waterproofs were the order of the day. Leaving Springwood Picnic site by the main entrance, at the main road we turned left and then left again and followed the lane up passing the golf course to the junction. We crossed the junction and climbed the stile into a field of skittish horses who, being curious came over to say hello and see if we had any titbits for them, when they realised we didn’t they soon lost interest in us. We followed the path down the field over the stile and through two subsequent fields which brought us out onto a farm lane. We turned left and walked along the lane for a short distance and turned right at its junction with the road crossing Read Old Bridge which was the site of a Royalists and Parliamentarian skirmish in 1642. A small band of local Parliamentarians ambushed the Royalists and routed them. After crossing the bridge we took the gate on the right and followed the path on the top side of the field negotiating 3 stiles bringing us out onto the main driveway leading to Read Hall. We were given tantalising glimpses of Read Hall through the woods but our path took us round the back passing converted farm buildings which once belonged to the hall. The hall itself was once the home of Roger Nowell JP who was squire and magistrate and was responsible for bringing the Pendle Witches to trial. The estate was sold to the Fort family in 1772 who built the present regency style mansion circa 1820.
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left:
Read Old Bridge |
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right: Read Hall |
The path took us between more converted farm buildings and along a lane which eventually brought us out onto Whins Lane. We walked along Whins Lane stopping a short time to enjoy the splendid panoramic views from the wind farm above Todmorden on the left to Darwen Tower on the right. Continuing along Whins Lane we walked through Houlker Fold and took a footpath in the wall off to the left and through a very tight gate (rucksacks had to come off for this one) and into a field of sheep with newborn lambs. We followed the path diagonally to the top right corner of the field, through two gates and a wall stile and arrived at New Hall Stables. As we were walking between the farm buildings we passed some old toilets of varying colours which had been utilised as plant holders. We followed the farm track until the waypost on the left and climbed over some iron steps heading across towards the woods. On reaching the corner of the wall which surrounded the woods we took advantage of the shelter of the wall and decided to take a break and appreciate the views as we enjoyed our snacks.
Recommencing the walk we climbed the step stile in the wall and entered the woods known as Shady Walks and followed the clear path through the woods. Towards the end we came upon Simon’s Cross which is the boundary stone between Simonstone and Read. A hollow in the top of the stone which once housed the cross collects water that is said to cure warts and it is known locally as Wart Well. Continuing along the path we climbed a gate/stile which brought us out onto Trapp Lane. We turned left and walked along the lane passing the crossroad which is signposted Read to the left and Higham to the right. We then crossed the road to the waymarker on the left and climbing the stile entered the woods. There is no definitive path through the wood but we made our way down to the left coming out into a field. Looking to the right we could see Sabden and Pendle Hill which were bathed in sunlight. The weather had definitely taken a turn for the better, with the clouds breaking up and prolonged sunny spells. We continued down heading towards the field fence where we turned left and following the path which for a time ran alongside the fence and then turned back up towards the woods and continued along the bottom edge of the woods to the gate/stile which brought us out onto a farm track. At this point we could see across to the West Coast and using binoculars picked out Blackpool Tower. Down to our right was Whittakers Farm. We continued along the farm track and over the cattle grid coming out onto the Read road.
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left:
Simon's Cross aka The Wart Well |
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right: View towards Sabden |
Turning right we walked along the road and turned right over the stile at the end of the wood making the acquaintance of a lone horse in the wood. Crossing the field and over the stile directly opposite we turned left and made our way diagonally left down the long field towards the field behind the farm buildings which is Readwood Riding Stables admiring some gorse on the right edge of the field which was just coming into flower. Over the next stile and into a rather sticky, muddy field which had been churned up by several horses. We made our way to the bottom right corner and through the gate into what is known as Hodgsons Stone Plantation. Following the path down through the wooded plantation, over the stile at the bottom and towards the footbridge crossing Sabden Brook. At this point we took the opportunity to wash some of the sticky mud off our boots lightening the load. Crossing the footbridge we followed the waymarkers through the next two fields heading to the right of Withins Farm and across the road, over the stile directly opposite and again followed the waymarkers. At this point the route had been diverted around Hollins Farm and a new build taking us onto another road where we turned left. We walked along the road taking the next lane on the right walking along until we approached some private gates and at this point turned right over the gate/stile. We followed the path around Clerk Hill, (lots more sheep with young lambs) over two more stiles and through a gate. We made our way down the field having Whalley Golf Course to our left and Spring Wood to our right. We crossed the footbridge at the bottom of the field and onto the golf course and made our way down the right edge of the course crossing the stile behind the resident icecream van and were at our journeys end. A very pleasant walk with beautiful views .
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| Boot washing facilities | |
| EXPLORER 287 |
WEST PENNINE MOORS |
START POINT |
SD 740 360 |
| WALK LENGTH |
6.35 mls / 10 km |
TIME |
2 hrs 45 mins |
| MAX HEIGHT |
249 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
82 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
341 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
341 mtrs |
This map is for reference only and MUST NOT be used to do the walk.
Please use the correct OS map for all these walks.
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