Friday, 24th July 2009

 

Walk: White Coppice, Wheelton Plantation, Roddlesworth Reservoir, Sunnyhurst Wood, Jubilee Tower (Darwen), Slipper Lowe, Great Hill
Start Point: White Coppice cricket club car park Grid Ref: SD 619 190
Distance: 12 miles Ascent: 2,640 feet
Weather: Some heavy showers in the morning, clearing in the afternoon
Accompanied by:

On my own

Comments: Walking alongside The Goit I was pleased to have reached Wheelton Plantation when a heavy shower arrived. By the time I left the plantation the rain had stopped but the tall grass and bracken was soaking wet and I was pleased I had shorts on! Heading across the moor, with no shelter in sight, another heavy shower was too much for the umbrella and it was on with the waterproofs. Navigating through pasture land and over stiles it wasn't long before I reached Roddlesworth Reservoirs and time for morning coffee. By the time I reached the Bandstand in Sunnyhurst Wood the sun was shining and the day looked promising. However, just as I reached the Lych gate another cloud dumped its contents to the sound of thunder. Fortunately, the Lych gate provided good shelter and the downpour only lasted 10 minutes. A climb up Darwen Hill brought me to Jubilee Tower, and time for lunch. The sky was looking much more settled as I headed across to Slipper Lowe and across the A675. The climb up to Great Hill was a somewhat damp affair but from there on it was all downhill and a lovely sunny afternoon as I arrived back at the car.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

A lovely spot for a restoration project!

 

An interesting route . . .

 

to bypass the gate

 

Darwen Tower comes into view

 

The sun shines for a photo of the bandstand in Sunnyhurst Wood

 

Sheltering under the Lych gate as the rain begins to ease . . .

 

and before long the sun is shining again

 

Jubilee Tower

 

The sign to the tower hardly seems necessary . . .

 

when you only have to look to your left to see where it is

 

An interesting farmhouse and barn look up to Great Hill

 

Looking back down the route - which is rather wet!

 

White Coppice cottages

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