Summer 2019Take a walk in Healey Dell

Keen photographer and walker Ste Walton takes us on a tour of one of his favourite local walks...

This walking route follows public footpaths through a wood and the river Spodden in the Spodden Valley.

The walk is easy/medium difficulty and does have steps in the walk, some very steep.

The walk takes roughly an hour but may take longer depending how often you stop to take in the history, surroundings and abundance of wildlife. Keep an eye out for the kingfishers, sparrow hawks and mink.

Walking boots or similar are recommended, also suitable for dogs but would recommend on the lead due to steep drops into the river.

The area is now a nature reserve, but was once full of cotton mills, and an old railway from the 1800s with a single platform. Part of the platform still stands and the 100ft high viaduct that is crossed during the walk. Parts of the old mills can still be seen.

The area was also a munitions factory used to fill bombs and shells during WW2, from 1941 to 1943.

Plenty of free car parking is available at the beginning of this walk, at Broadly Wood Lodge, a short drive down Station Road off Market Street. The walk begins by heading out of the car park and through an entrance in the wall directly facing you, down a few steps onto the path at the bottom.

From the bottom of the steps turn immediately right, head down the path with the bridge in front of you, under the bridge and then across the viaduct taking in the view from the top.

At the end of the viaduct, on your left, take the entrance through the wall and down the steps onto Dell Road - across the road to your left you will see an information board. Head for the board and take the path down to the right of the wooden gate and back under the viaduct.

Follow the path down with the river on your left. There’s plenty of great photo opportunities here.

Continuing down the path you will cross a little stream flowing into the river. Cross over the stream and head up the steps (ignore the path on the right).

Head up hill keeping the river on your left. At the end of the path go up the steps onto Station Road, go straight across the road onto the path on the other side.

Keep following the path, you will approach a bridge on your left and some black pipe overhead. Go under the pipe keeping on the path and the river on your left, passing a nice pond on your right.

At the other end of the pond cross the bridge into a meadow. This is a great place to sit and watch the dippers up and down the river. Follow the path round to the right. Now with the river on your right until you reach some new timber decking, go onto the decking up to the track above and then turn left.

Follow the track until you reach the steps you came down from the car park at the beginning of the walk.

If you fancy a drink and a cake, try Healey Dell Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms. Set within the reserve, enter and be transported back in time and enjoy Edwardian themed surroundings, with speciality beverages and lovely food. The centre has wheelchair access and ground floor facilities. An all yearround heritage display and the work of local photographers and artists is on show. Dogs are also welcome on the ground floor heritage tea room.

Healey Dell Heritage Centre & Tea Rooms
Dell Road, Rochdale OL12 6BG
01706 350459
Thursday - Sunday & Bank Holidays
10.00am to 4.30pm