{"id":1006652,"date":"2022-12-08T11:08:08","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T11:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006652"},"modified":"2022-12-11T19:49:57","modified_gmt":"2022-12-11T19:49:57","slug":"smithills-hall-and-estate-winter-hill-and-burnt-edge-near-bolton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006652","title":{"rendered":"Smithills Hall And Estate, Winter Hill, And Burnt Edge, Near Bolton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Other commitments mean that I can’t get out for a walk today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But no worries, I went on Tuesday instead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smithills Estate is the largest site owned by The Woodland Trust in England. The starting point for the walk is just 3 miles northwest of Bolton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was cold, though less so than today! There was plenty of sunshine too, with occasional high clouds drifting through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 8 mile walk was completed it in just 3 hours 30 minutes, plus 15 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 35-40 minute drive to Smithills from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked anti-clockwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk is great for dog walking, as most of it is on tracks, with just one or two shortish road sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at Smithills Hall, postcode BL1 7NP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Smithills Hall To Winter Hill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the car park, and heading north, conditions were great for a brisk walk to warm up in the low December sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The path crossed the first of many wooded cloughs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rising towards Horrocks Hill Farm, the views to the south soon emerged through the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I crossed the fields to join Scout Road at the car par, and took a peek at Brian Hey Reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I took the very quiet minor road towards Smithills Dean, turning left along a drive which then became a track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The path crossed three small and pretty wooded cloughs before heading back up to rejoin the minor road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was now quite close to the Winter Hill TV mast where The Woodland Trust’s presence is evident from the number of new trees planted here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Winter Hill To Barrow Bridge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here, the panoramic views are worth stopping for, and taking in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Holden’s Farm enjoys the views, but no doubt must face some stormy weather too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Burnt Edge looks down into a lovely wooded valley (Walker Fold Woods), across which Holden’s Farm and the TV mast were resplendent in the sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The route now drops downhill to Colliers Row Road. Here, there is a new Woodland Trust car park, so anyone wanting a shorter walk can park here and enjoy the paths in Walker Fold Woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crossing the road, the fenced path continues to head back down towards Bolton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The descent culminates with a long staircase down to Dean Brook!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A pleasant riverside stroll leads to Barrow Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barrow Bridge To Smithills Hall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The laneside wall was being rebuilt here, very nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And the cottages to the left are all accessed by individual bridges over the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I turned left up a steepish path to Sheep House Farm. The path right across the fields was unmarked, and there would be livestock here in warmer seasons. A tall brick chimney provides an easy direction indicator. Emerging by the chimney, there are some attractive modern houses, presumably built on the site of a former mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I found my way between the houses to join another hidden gem of a path tucked between the river and a busy main road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After negotiating a short busy roadside section and a residential road of older cottages backing onto the river, I crossed the river and enjoyed the stroll back to the hall via the wooded valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Having started out early, I was able to sit on a bench and enjoy my lunch by the side of the splendid Smithills Hall. The historic hall is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a perfect place to go walking, with many alternative shorter or longer routes to choose from. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another new band that I’ve come across. This is the strangely named Jo-Jo & The Teeth with Don’t Get Too Heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n