Barking Dogs Walk

North up Edge Lane and Saunder Height Lane above Scout and Lumb. Head NW at Top o’ th’ Height, just above Lumb Corner, heading towards Wheat Head Farm. Pass to the south of Wheat Head, following the old road to Meadowhead. SE at Meadowhead past Balladen Brook to the top of Conway Road.

4.5 km, 2.75 miles

This is called the barking dogs walk after the hounds at Lower Whams farm.
  • collage image title

    route

     

     
  • collage image title

    1. bath edge lane

     

    This sunken bath off the west side of Edge Lane just below the farm has always fascinated me. I suppose it was to provide a reservoir for horses.
  • collage image title

    2. cross, Windy Willows

     

    Erected by the residents of Windy Willows, this cross can be seen clearly over much of Rawtenstall down to the roundabout at New Hall Hey.
  • collage image title

    3. Windy Willows

     

    Windy Willows, formerly Physic Hall Farm and at times Saunder Height. On older maps the field to the west of the farm is labelled 'Sports Field'.
  • collage image title

    4. buttercup meadow

     

    A number of wildflower meadows on the lower reaches of this walk. Mainly buttercup, cuckoo plant and daisy with a smatterring of clover and cow parsley.
  • collage image title

    5. jay

     

    Just sat in the path!
  • collage image title

    6. clough to Scout

     

    Brook leading east from Saunder Height to Scout bottom.
  • collage image title

    7. Fox Hill mine

     

    Looking over to Fox Hill, it is difficult to imagine that this area was extensively mined in the C19 and early C20. Fox Hill and Grime Bridge mines were in this area. Both were owned by Hargreaves, Ashworth & Co Ltd of which John Ashworth of Springhill was a partner.
  • collage image title

    8. Lumb Corner

     

     
  • collage image title

    9. St Michael's, Lumb

     

    Consecrated 9 Dec 1848 to serve the growing population secondary to the development of the cotton industry. Closed 9 Dec 2001.
  • collage image title

    10. Wheat Head and ruin

     

     
  • collage image title

    11. ruin

     

     
  • collage image title

    12. Hurst Lane looking north

     

    Strange to think now that this was once the main road from Rawtenstall to Lumb. It is still technically a 'road' but wouldn't recommend attempting it with a 4-wheeled vehicle.
  • collage image title

    13. Hurst Lane looking south

     

     
  • collage image title

    14. Rawtenstall

     

     
  • collage image title

    15. Mucky Earth

     

    On some maps as 'Myrtle Earth', both names are recorded in the Clitheroe Court Rolls.
  • collage image title

    16. Meadowhead

     

    Meadowhead was used as the council tip in the 1970s and the upper rugby pitches/driving range are all on this reclaimed land seen here. There were two rabbits in the centre of the driving range this day.
  • collage image title

    17. Balladen Brook

     

    looking north
  • collage image title

    18. Balladen Brook

     

    looking south
  • collage image title

    19. frog

     

    Seen on the path between Balladen Brook and Conway Road

Made in RapidWeaver