Steam and smoke

Mark Sutcliffe ventures into this wonderful green oasis amid the bustling suburbs of Greater Manchester that were once an industrial hub

Along the route of an old branch line through Lancashire’s industrial heartlands this former industrial site has now being reclaimed by nature.

The Irwell Valley was once a hotbed of industrial activity, from mills spinning yarns for all manner of textiles, to heavy engineering, bleaching, dyeing and printing. 

The valley was first industrialised at the end of the 18th Century when local entrepreneurs opened the first water-powered spinning mill. By the early 19th century, the local mills were converted to steam power and diversified into other manufacturing following the decline of the cotton industry triggered by the American Civil War.

The factories have long since fallen quiet but signs of their legacy are still visible in the local landscape which has been transformed into an urban country park giving residents and visitors alike easy access into green spaces on foot or by bike.

This walk follows the route of the Bury to Holcombe Brook railway line which remained in operation until 1960 and also crosses the East Lancashire Line heritage railway, operating steam and diesel services between April and December.

Download this route and others to your smartphone or GPS device from the Club’s OutdoorActive page at: out.ac/IPp3bt

Directions

1. From the main site gate, head past the Brown Cow pub and along the access road past the chimney and over the River Irwell. Follow the cobbled road past the playground and Garsdale Country Inn and after 400m turn right onto the cycleway signposted Ramsbottom and Greenmount.

2. 1km – Follow the cycleway uphill and cross the main road with care, continuing on the cycleway signposted Greenmount. Cross the river over the bridge and after another half mile, at the site of Sunnywood Halt, take the footpath on the right descending through woods past the lodge, then half right and walk over the footbridge onto the perimeter road around the new apartment development.

3. 3.5km – Head left along the road and at the far side of the development head right on the track passing the fishing pond. Follow the track for 500m, and follow the track to left at the stables, curving round behind the buildings to the main road. Head left on the pavement and after 200m cross the road with care and take the track on the right. 

4. 4.7km – Follow the track as it turns right descending into the valley and continue on asphalt road through the hamlet to the river. If you want to cut your walk short when the East Lancashire Railway is running (April to December – timetables at www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk) continue along the road to Summerseat Station for a short one-stop ride back to Burrs Country Park. 

5. 6km – To continue, cross the bridge over the river and take steps up the steep banking to cross the East Lancashire Railway line and join the Irwell Sculpture Trail heading right. Continue right through the gate along the edge of woodland for 500m to reach the gate leading into a lane. Head sharp right down lane signposted Burrs Country Park. 

6. 6.8km – Continue on this lane through the farm and back under the railway, following the footpath immediately on the left. Follow the path back along the river for half a mile to return to the Club site. 

About the route

• Start/finish: Burrs Country Park Club Campsite, Woodhill Road, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 1DA.
• Distance: 8.5km/5.3 miles.
• Time: 2 hrs 15 mins.
• Level: Suitable for occasional walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
• Terrain: Cycleways, footpaths and tracks – most of which are well surfaced. The occasional grassy path, which can become muddy after wet weather.
• Landscape: Woodland, scrub and river valleys with some paths through quiet residential areas and a couple of busy roads to cross.
• Refreshments: The Brown Cow; The Garside Country Inn; Jersey Girls Dairy Ice Cream Parlour.

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club make no warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness of the routes published, which to the best of our knowledge were correct at the time of publication. Your use of the routes is at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for the suitability or safety of any routes published. Routes may be out of date or affected by changes to the physical environment and, to the extent permitted by law, we accept no responsibility for personal injury or property damage caused by your use of the routes.