{"id":1006954,"date":"2023-02-23T19:43:20","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T19:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006954"},"modified":"2023-02-23T19:43:23","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T19:43:23","slug":"anglezarke-reservoir-and-great-hill-near-chorley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1006954","title":{"rendered":"Anglezarke Reservoir And Great Hill Near Chorley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

What a fabulous day for a walk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area to the east of the M61 is one I’ve been visiting more often. These West Pennine Moors seemed an ideal location for today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I headed off to my chosen starting point, the charming White Coppice Cricket Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The weather stayed sunny throughout my walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 45 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to White Coppice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 8 mile walk comprised a trek uphill onto the moors, a traverse of the moor top, and a pleasant descent through valleys and alongside reservoirs. It took 4 hours as it was quite muddy and slow in places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk today would be great for dog walking. At other times nesting birds and sheep may make it less so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at the cricket club car park, postcode PR6 9DE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 287.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

White Coppice To Great Hill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the top of the cricket field, the path crosses The Goit, a canal which collects water from numerous streams falling off the moors and diverts it into the reservoir system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path then rises straight up the hill, and the views back down to the cricket ground are soon to be enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Far to the west, Blackpool Tower rises on the coastline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s an enjoyable hike, and it flattens out somewhat, passing a copse just before the ruins at Drinkwaters. Here, there’s a celebration of a fell runner. named Joe 1939 – 1991.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a good view back over the copse to the plains of west Lancashire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are a few walkers out here today, and also the occasional cyclist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I detoured slightly from my mapped route, to visit the summit and wind shelter at Great Hill, with views to Blackburn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A couple of fellow hikers were taking a break here, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Great Hill To Lead Mines Clough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having detoured to Great Hill, I got slightly disorientated. After descending from the summit I turned right, then realised I was on the path I’d originally intended to come up from Drinkwaters on. My route was easy to see, as it was a direct line towards the TV mast at Winter Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The path is made up with large stone slabs. However, many are now subsiding below water table level, so waterproof footwear is essential here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nearing the road below the mast, I enjoy the hang gliding display before taking a right turn. I just got one in the picture!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heading downhill now, the path isn’t formed with stones, and it’s quite boggy underfoot. There are no people walking this stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The sky remained a beautiful deep blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All of the farms are now just ruins, first “The Hempshaws” then “Simms”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon, I arrive at the pretty, wooded Lead Mines Clough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lead mining ended in 1837. In 1992, an old waterwheel pit was found and excavated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lead Mines Clough To White Coppice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IAfter leaving the clough, I soon get my first view of the southern end of Anglezarke Reservoir…. and first cloud too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crossing the pastures, I get a good view of the town of Chorley beyond the mole hills!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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High Bullough Reservoir is delightful, nestled in a hillside above Anglezarke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The outfall runs down to Anglezarke, a large body of water running north to south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After crossing the minor road, my route follows The Goit to my left, and the wooded Stronstrey Bank to my right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This view looks back, with the bank on the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And a little further on I recross The Goit to return to the cricket ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was a perfect walk, on a perfect day. Very enjoyable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new album Anarchist Gospel by Sunny War (no, I’d never heard of her before) is the best thing I’ve heard for ages. Great musicianship, different styles, all good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This foot-tapping tune is “No Reason”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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