Page 38 - Real Rochdale Issue 05 Summer 2019
P. 38

TAKE A WALK IN HEALEY DELL                                                                                    wooden gate and back under
                                                                                                                                the viaduct.


                                                                                                                                Follow the path down
                                                                                                                                with the river on your left.
                                                                                                                                There’s plenty of great photo
          Keen photographer and walker Ste Walton takes        mills can still be seen.                                         opportunities here.
          us on a tour of one of his favourite local walks...
                                                               The area was also a munitions factory used to                    Continuing down the path you
          This walking route follows public footpaths          fill bombs and shells during WW2, from 1941 to                   will cross a little stream flowing
          through a wood and the river Spodden in the          1943.                                                            into the river. Cross over the
          Spodden Valley.                                                                                                       stream and head up the steps
                                                               Plenty of free car parking is available at the                   (ignore the path on the right).
          The walk is easy/medium difficulty and does have     beginning of this walk, at Broadly Wood Lodge, a
          steps in the walk, some very steep.                  short drive down Station Road off Market Street.                 Head up hill keeping the river
                                                                                                                                on your left. At the end of
          The walk takes roughly an hour but may take          The walk begins by heading out of the car park                   the path go up the steps onto
          longer depending how often you stop to take          and through an entrance in the wall directly                     Station Road, go straight across
          in the history, surroundings and abundance of        facing you, down a few steps onto the path at the                the road onto the path on the
          wildlife. Keep an eye out for the kingfishers,       bottom.                                                          other side.
          sparrow hawks and mink.
                                                               From the bottom of the steps turn immediately                    Keep following the path, you will
          Walking boots or similar are recommended, also       right, head down the path with the bridge in                     approach a bridge on your left
          suitable for dogs but would recommend on the         front of you, under the bridge and then across                   and some black pipe overhead.
          lead due to steep drops into the river.              the viaduct taking in the view from the top.                     Go under the pipe keeping on
                                                                                                                                the path and the river on your
          The area is now a nature reserve, but was once       At the end of the viaduct, on your left, take the                left, passing a nice pond on your
          full of cotton mills, and an old railway from        entrance through the wall and down the steps                     right.
          the 1800s with a single platform. Part of the        onto Dell Road - across the road to your left
          platform still stands and the 100ft high viaduct     you will see an information board. Head for the                  At the other end of the pond
          that is crossed during the walk. Parts of the old    board and take the path down to the right of the                 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 year-
                                                                                                                                round 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

                                                                                                                                                                                  39                    REAL ROCHDALE - Summmer 2019
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