Walk 09/2008 – Standedge Trail from Marsden

Sunday 20th April 2008

Our 11–mile circular walk commenced on the outskirts of the village of Marsden in the South Pennines. The car journey was a long distance of 120 miles but relatively quick to commute on a Sunday morning, although finding the car park proved to be difficult and a bit of a time waster. This walk carried some specific interest to industrial heritage with some buildings observed that had been built pre–industrial revolution and with other aspects of history related to the development of industrial transport – water storage for the steam trains and canal barge freight transport.

A lot of the walk was crossing over National Trust open access land and consisted of much peat and bog moorland and several old mud tracks. Unfortunately 2 wayward bike scramblers chose to roar along an adjacent mud track just as we rested on the moorland for our first stop for coffee and somewhat momentarily ruined our peace and tranquillity.

After our coffee stop our walk continued along to Brun Clough Reservoir and then further onto Diggle where we stopped and viewed the majestic opening at one end of Standedge Canal tunnel, the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain [Ed &ndash I do so love majestic openings to dark tunnels!]. Past the mid point there was some gentle climbing up to parts of the Pennine way and where we believed there to be outstanding views across the valleys and towards the big cites of Oldham and Manchester. Unfortunately the opaque mist and heavy rain obliterated our views, but the weather blew away a few cobwebs and was certainly invigorating and we enjoyed the aaah factor related to several newborn lambs. It is written in our guide that in the valleys there were several old mills, but even along the walk we did pass by several weavers tied cottages and an old dye house. As we passed over the moor the increasing mist added to the eeriness of us observing a very large black horse rearing and whinnying – rather spookily reminiscent of Dick Turpin .

We had our lunch stop in drizzle and close to Hey Green by the cross over of the A62. Owen was the centre of our attention as several ribbed him on the appearance and unappetising nature of his innutritious lunch of a ‘Gingsters Buffet Bar’(sausage meat roll stuffed with coleslaw). He enjoyed it but many wouldn’t (but later he was heard to be complaining about its after–effects!)

Towards the completion of our walk we passed through a very picturesque babbling river with pretty views of the surrounding wooded glade and little waterfalls. We had to actually walk through the river testing all of our waterproofing of boots in ages gone by!! And most of us did not seem to develop a healthy trust in Graham’s reassurance that the river was only a shallow crossing. We then passed by some secret gardens and one entrance carried a rather voluptuous naked women carving on the gate suggested by one male member to be designed on one of our lady members, but on whom, was never clarified! [Ed &ndash yes, we need to have a bit of a competition to be able to give a considered view. We need to get a feel for it.]

We concluded our day with a very pleasant cup of tea and cake at the Standedge Tea rooms next to the entrance to the canal tunnel, We were well provided for, with great facilities at the National Trust Centre for Marsden Moor and in addition a most aromatic ginger and lemongrass handwash. Chat over tea was not just about mileage finances but excitement of returning through the village of Netherthong [Ed &ndash is that somewhere near Nether Regions?] some even more excited than others as its phonetics suggest!!

One of the longest days out, with wet weather but everyone concluded the walk to be graded ‘good’ and certainly an area worth investigating further in better weather conditions. A great day as all were in good spirits, the comradeship a delight, with much laughter and fun which is always an added plus to the delights of nature, fresh air and exercise.

Report – Cathy

Pictures – Alan

Walk rating – Good

This view overlooking Butterley Reservoir gives an impression of the weather we had all day.

At the southern end of the Standedge Canal Tunnel.

Our spot for lunch.

Owen and his “thing”. Andrew looks on in envy.

Barbara gets to grips with a difficult stile whilst those behind are still looking at the lambs.

At last a bit of a view.

Graham tells Chris where to put her feet as we cross this ford.

The river near the ford.

A view through the bridge at the ford.

The ford on Redbrook Clough.

The river as we walk back to the Visitor’s Centre

There is some discussion over which member of the Walking Club could have posed for this gate design. (Ed – perhaps we should have a contest to find out!)

Cathy gets some directions from the locals.