Tacklers Trail 6pp Lft_v3.qxd - Visit Lancashire

WALK
3 TACKLERS TRAIL 9.5 miles (moderate wi
1. Sunnyhurst Visitor
Centre
The Warpers Trail forms part of the long distance Witton Weavers Way.
This walk combines woodlands, moorland and spectacular views to make this trail
well worth the effort!
You are strongly advised to use these walk details in conjunction with OS Explorer map
No. 287, West Pennine Moors. Stout boots are recommended, as parts of this walk can
become muddy in wet weather.
START: Sunnyhurst Wood Visitor Centre, a short walk down from Earnsdale Road,
Darwen
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: 1 mile from Darwen town centre, alight at Hollins Grove Street
PARKING: On Earnsdale Road, off A666. 1 mile from junction 4 M65
ALTERNATIVE PARKING AND START POINTS (SEE OS MAP FOR EXACT LOCATIONS):
• Slipper Lowe car park- 1km from Roddlesworth GR 664203
• Car park off Belmont Road, A675 - 2km from Roddlesworth GR 665191
• Sunnyhurst car park - at top of Earnsdale Road GR 679225
Sunnyhurst Wood was acquired
by public subscription in 1902
to commemorate the coronation
of King Edward VII.
The Visitor Centre 1 , in the
former gamekeeper's cottage
offers exhibitions, activities and
information.
The charming Olde England
Kiosk (refreshments available)
was built in 1911 to
commemorate the coronation of
King George V
16–17
From the Visitor Centre walk up
into the wood, following
Sunnyhurst brook, past the stone
bridges, and on past the
bandstand. Continue up the
valley, emerging from the wood
by an iron gate, at the corner of
Earnsdale Reservoir.
17–18
Turn right up the track eventually
emerging onto Tockholes Road,
built by Eccles Shorrock in the
1840s to link the village with
Darwen. Eccles Shorrock is best
known today for the 300 foot
Venetian campanile chimney of
India Mill, Darwen. Turn left and
after 100 yards take the footpath
on the right down into the wood.
As the Roddlesworth Upper
Reservoir 2 comes into view,
follow the path round to the left.
2. Roddlesworth Upper Reservoir
Mallard and goldeneye ducks
can be seen on the reservoirs,
with the occasional great crested
grebe or tufted duck in winter 3 .
The coniferous plantations have
rowan, oak and birch saplings
along their edges to provide
varied wildlife habitats.
In about 100 yards a footpath
crosses the track, turn right here
and left at the reservoir. Follow
the path round by a fence then
a wall to cross the bridge over
Rocky Brook, the local name of
the River Roddlesworth.
18–19
Continue alongside the brook
keeping to the lower path at a
fork. Go through the iron gate
and cross the stone bridge,
known as Halliwell Fold Bridge 4 .
Continue up the track with the
brook now on your right.
This junction of lanes was once
a busy road linking Abbey
Village, Tockholes and
Hollinshead Hall with many
dwellings. The ruins of
Halliwell Fold Farm once
supplied chain horses to help
3. Spot the birdlife amidst
Reservoir country