From (Owd) Russia with Love

Some of you may have read my post “Exploring Darwen’s Reservoirs”. Having posted this on Edgworth Now and Then, I got in conversation with a gentleman called Mark Wild who mentioned Old Russia. I’ve walked around Edgworth many times but never come across the name, so immediately decided this warranted another trip.

For the derivation of the name, CLICK HERE.

The Route

This is a very popular route for walkers, strollers and dog walkers and is one that I’ve done loads of times. It has the great advantage of being easily lengthened or shortened depending on the weather and how my ageing knees feel. It also looks beautiful!

Living in Lytham, it’s lovely to get amongst, admittedly, small hills and it constantly amazes me that it is so close to Bolton and Darwen.

The industrial archaeology of the area is fascinating too.

The West Pennine Moors, of which this is a part, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

A Bad Start!

Shortly after leaving the car park and joining the path towards Turton Tower we came across this. I know it’s all to do with the cost of disposing of rubbish, but it really beggars belief that people can think that dumping garbage like this is acceptable. The bagged stuff has been labelled by the local council as part of their investigations into the culprits.

Turton Bottoms

The path continues to Turton Tower and then descends to Jumbles Reservoir. After crossing the bridge turn left towards Turton Bottoms. We had a lovely spot for our packed lunch in the Black Rock Community Orchard. This is named after the Black Rock Bleach and Dye works which operated until after World War 2. The buildings were demolished in the early 1970s, but the waterwheel now resides at Turton Tower.

The packhorse bridge is thought to date from the late 17th century. The modern houses in the background are built on the site of the dye works.

Old Russia

Following the signs for The Witton Weavers Way, the path makes its way along Printers Row and then through an estate of new houses before going up steps to the fields overlooking Edgworth and Old Russia itself. It was a beautiful warm day and, unlike the gentleman in the story, it was definitely not ” Cowd as owd Russia!”

We followed the path beyond the reservoirs to the bridge over Quarlton Brook.

The Barlow

The path winds up through woods to emerge by the Barlow. the Edgworth Community Hub. Click the link above for the history of this establishment which opened in 1909.

The route then descends through the village to The Black Bull (of Rag Pudding fame!), and from there to The Strawbury Duck (Yes, it is spelt that way!) for a pint, and thence back to the car.

This route follows the Warpers Trail as far as The Strawbury Duck. We headed back to the car having done about 7.5 miles. The Warpers Trail continues past the Strawbury Duck across fields above the reservoir and then descends to Yarnsdale and returns to the car park on the south side of the reservoir.