Rocket Ships And Ruins - A Tour About Tockholes

As I begin to explore more of Lancashire, I start to appreciate the astounding places it has to offer for those who adore a good hike. The same is probably true of much of the UK, but with each new walk in a new area, it really does feel as if your day out is a mini-holiday.

This route was shorter than the usual – about eight miles: walking on exposed high ground in torrential showers and a thunderstorm did not lend itself to a long hike! The water we witnessed gushing off the moorland in spontaneous rivers shows the intensity of the heat of the previous week; the ground was both too hard to act as a swift sponge, and the ferocity of the water falling ran, literally, like water off a duck’s back.

Thankfully, however, we reached Jubilee Tower before the heavens opened. Beginning from Roddlesworth Information Centre car park (BB3 0PA), we took the main bridleway track heading south-east from the centre across fields, before passing through a gate to enter woodland. The paths are exceptionally well maintained, stone and gravel underfoot and a gentle curving ascent to higher ground. Once beyond the woodland, the path swings round towards the Jubilee Tower and there are several options to reach it. If in doubt, stone-carved pillars point the way.

The tower sits like a futuristic spaceship from a clichéd and rather dated sci-fi movie, perched on the summit or perhaps its launch pad. It provides a 360-degree view all around. Pendle Hill lies to the east, the town of Darwen at its base, and Lancashire melts into a rich blue-green horizon across fields and hills of vibrant copper hues, punctuated by pockets of urban development.

Climb the 82 spiral steps within the tower for an experience to remember. Locally known as Darwen Tower due to its place upon Darwen Moor, it was originally built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It also represents the victory of local people in gaining their right to traverse the moorland, namely farmers and pedlars in pursuit of trade, but significant to the victory; the use of moorland paths to deliver coal from the nearby Eccles Shorrocks mines at Dogshaw Clough and Entwistle Moss.

The manager of the mine, Mr. Ashton, had long fought the Lord of the Manor, Rev. Willian Arthur Duckworth, for access across the moor. Duckworth’s gamekeepers continually blocked the footpaths. Eventually the case went to court; the Lord of the Manor lost and from September 1896 people once again could cross without hindrance.

We took the path leaving directly south of the tower. This soon gives the option to turn right, to clamber over a summit and you will then meet the path originally followed up through the trees. However, when it makes a distinctive split, keep left and instead you will continue a descent to the western edge of the moorland, meeting a road beneath.

Cross over, and almost opposite a path continues bearing left into a woodland. The path vaguely follows the course of a tiny stream, but you do then reach a more distinct watercourse. Hop over and continue to discover the ruins of Hollinshead Hall, which once was the manor house of the township of Tockholes, which lies 3 miles south of Blackburn on the edge of Darwen Moor. The visible ruins are of the 18th century hall, stables and farmhouse. The relatively intact well house boasts an ornate wooden door. Rumoured to be haunted, the water that flows through the well house is also supposed to cure eye problems.

After visiting the ruins, return to the stream and hop back over, then follow it down to meet the main road – the path meets a track to lead the way.

Cross the road and take the waymarked path onto the moorland. Here the ground can become difficult. For us in heavy downpours it was like a quagmire in places, unsteady ground with lumps, bumps and recesses. Aim towards the clear summit ahead: the path isn’t always clear but you are taking a straight(ish) line. At one point you cross a stile beside another watercourse, a single tree stands beside (to which you orientate on your return) and you gradually ascend to reach the summit of Great Hill. We had intended to trek out across the open access moorland to visit Round Loaf – visible to your south from this point. This distinct “hillock” is actually a funerary monument – a “bowl barrow” - an earth mound covering a burial site. Thought to have been constructed in the period 2400 BC-1500 BC, there are approx. 10,000 across the UK, varying in size, and Round Loaf’s contents and its archaeology are intact, having not been excavated.

We shall save this for next time; but if you’re up on Anglezarke Moor, do go take a look. We instead hauled our soggy boots back down the hill, aimed broadly for the aforementioned tree, veered left when the path split and then followed the watercourse north alongside a shallow clough. It then curves east as the land flattens to return to the road.

A short walk to your left along the road, cross over to enter the forest plantations at a clearly waymarked path. This was my favourite stretch of the route; beneath the trees, tracing the water – an absolute delight. Heading in a north-easterly direction we reached the edge of Higher Roddlesworth Reservoir and from there it was an easy return to the start.

In dry weather I would strongly recommend this route for the variety of terrain, the views to behold and the natural (and man-made) points of interest to visit along the way. But do check the weather forecast, and don’t forget your map: OS Explorer 287.