With spring upon us it’s the ideal time to pop on your walking boots and explore the gorgeous countryside which surrounds Greater Manchester. There’s so many walks to do on our doorstep, from breathtaking reservoir routes to moorland hikes.
Nestled in the Lancashire countryside just east of Darwen is a beautiful woodland walk where you’ll find waterfalls and ruins hidden among the trees. Roddlesworth Woods is nestled at the base of Darwen Moor and lies south of three reservoirs.
There are lots of trails you can take through the woods and you can easily spend several hours exploring the area. Hidden among the densely packed trees are the remains of Hollinshead Hall, a manor house owned by the wealthy Hollinshead family.
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Although not much of the house is left today, you can still see the well-preserved remains of the hall’s well house. It’s a rather imposing building with metal bars at the windows and, even though you can’t go inside, you can still take a peek at the interior.
If you have a wander along the River Roddlesworth through the woods you’ll come across a couple of waterfalls. One of them is close to Bolton Road, while a second one lies further north near Mill Lane.
For a more challenging walk you have the option to head up Cartridge Hill towards Darwen Tower where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding area. Or you can head northwards and follow the circular walks around Upper Roddlesworth Reservoir and then Lower Roddlesworth reservoir.
A great starting point for your walk is the Roddlesworth Information Centre, which has parking. Handily, next to the centre is the Royal Arms pub, which is the ideal place to end your walk.
Formed from two cottages knocked together, the building has been run as a pub for around 150 years. Inside is a cosy interior where you can warm up if the weather turns chilly, while there’s also a beer garden for brighter days. The dog-friendly pub has a great selection of real ales and homemade food.
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