Autumn 2019Take a walk in Ashworth Valley

Keen photographer and walker Ste Walton takes us on a tour of his favourite place in Rochdale

This walking route follows public footpaths and country roads through part of Ashworth Valley following Naden Brook through Carr Wood.

The walk takes a couple of hours depending how often you stop to take in your surroundings, views and the wildlife the area has to offer.

Keep an eye out for deer through the woods and the hermit’s cave just before you reach the caravan park.

Walking boots or similar are a must, as some of the paths can be quite muddy and take a while to dry out. The route is suitable for dogs and very popular with dog walkers.

In the late 1500s coal had started to be mined in the valley by a man named John Blackwell.

By the 17th century there were small communities in the valley with their own mines.

Mills started to appear in the valley during the 18th century, mainly producing cotton and paper.

This walk will take you past the remains of two of the mills left standing in the valley today, the fulling mill and then Coal Bank Mill.

The walk begins on School Lane where Naden Brook runs under the road.

There is a small lay-by that’s used as a passing point that you can park in.

From the lay-by, head down to where the river runs under the road and take the dirt track on your left.

Follow this past the farmhouse on your right and through two kissing gates. Now it is just a case of sticking to the path until you reach the gate into the caravan park at the other end of Carr Wood.

Don’t be afraid to venture off the path and do a bit of exploring to find the fulling mill and the waterfalls.

When you reach the gate, go through it and walk through the caravan park, then turn right when you exit, up Ashworth Road.

Carry on up Ashworth Road until you reach School Lane on your right.

Head down School Lane back towards where you started the walk.

Across from the dirt track you took at the start of the walk you will see a public footpath on your left. Take that footpath until you reach the remains of Coal Bank Mill.

Now it is just a case of retracing your steps back to where you parked at School Lane.

If you do the walk on a Sunday or a Bank Holiday, head over to Millcroft Tea Gardens and grab yourself a bite to eat: Roods Lane, Norden, Rochdale OL11 5UE.

If you fancy a drink, there are a few nearby pubs in Norden or there is the Owd Betts pub on Edenfield Road, Rochdale OL12 7TY.