{"id":1010451,"date":"2026-02-13T09:56:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T09:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010451"},"modified":"2026-02-13T10:14:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T10:14:19","slug":"wycoller-and-the-atom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010451","title":{"rendered":"Wycoller And The Atom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

I was picking up my “nearly new” car today, from a garage in Colne. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wycoller is a village in nearby Trawden Forest. I’ve visited the area once before and this was a great opportunity to return for a shorter walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are few trees in Trawden Forest, but I guess there once were!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an hour\u2019s drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3.5 mile walk took 2 hours 15 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a cold, cloudy day with an easterly breeze, but stayed dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a good walk for taking the dog, there are some sheep pastures and roads but the return track down Smithy Clough is great for a run (and a swim, if your pooch is so inclined)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in a clockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at the car park, signposted locally as Wycoller Country Park. It is half a mile west of the village, thus increasing the walk to 4.5 miles! Nearest postcode BB8 8SY, What 3 Words \/\/\/difficult.curvy.inserted<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that the toilets in the village are present and open at the time of writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Wycoller <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s a pretty path and lane from the car park to the village, crossing Wycoller Beck on the entrance to the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The village is delightful, with its wonky packhorse bridge and the ruins of Wycoller Hall..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Atom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My route led uphill to the left of the hall. I strode up briskly to get warm!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soon, The Atom was in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It is one of a series of sculptures reflecting the renaissance of East Lancashire in the 21st century, all completed between 2003 and 2007. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is described as a panoptican for Pendle, with the unmistakeable outline of Pendle Hill in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Having had a late start, I sheltered in the sculpture for lunch, enjoying the window views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here I traversed the hillside, leaving The Atom behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Moors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The path rose gradually, passing a couple of farms, eventually meeting a slightly busier than expected road. Briefly, there was a view over the moors past Watersheddles Reservoir to the Yorkshire town of Keighley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After leaving the road I began the descent, with stunning views down the valley towards Wycoller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Smithy Clough To Wycoller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The streams here were flowing quite vigorously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Half way down, more and more trees lined the valley. It’s a lovely place for a stroll, with numerous further bubbling waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The signpost at the junction of Smithy Clough and Turnhole Clough belies the vast number of hiking routes on offer round here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Atom still dominated the skyline to the right as I descended the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A footpath to the left is accessed by this unique narrow stone bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And before long , I was back at Wycoller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On my return to the car park, my new vehicle was alone, and thankfully safe, for the drive home!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All in all, a lovely half day out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now to delve into the manual!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of my favourites – The Cars with “Drive”. What else could I choose for this day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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