Part 1 of this blog covers details of Nuttall Park – an open, grassy space with a concrete path ideal for wheels of any kind or walking/jogging. It also details a route up Holcombe Hill to the famous Peel Tower.
Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom – The ‘open space’
Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom is a large, popular park with plenty of open green space surrounded by a path that runs around the entire perimeter (2km.) The path is concrete but if you wish to go on the grass it may be muddy when wet so choose footwear accordingly. There is ample parking in the designated car parks and a large children’s play area. Please be aware, however, that this gets very busy at peak times! There is plenty of open space even in busier times for playing games or doing outdoor exercise.
The path than runs around the outside is perfect for children on bikes, scooters or for prams or wheelchairs. It is also a good path for jogging laps when the path isn’t too crowded. A river runs down one side of the park and there is a small area with a shallow, pebbled edge which is ideal for dogs or humans who wish to paddle. Other points of interest in the park include the small, decorated woodland area featuring bunting and fairy doors and the outdoor gym equipment which is currently still available to use despite coronavirus restrictions.
Peel Tower/Holcombe Hill, Holcombe – The ‘famous route’
This route starts from just behind the Hare and Hounds pub in Holcombe Brook and is approximately 4.5-5km long and takes around 1hour- 1 hour 15 minutes. For this walk there is ample parking on Lumb Carr Road which is the main road running uphill behind the pub. There is also a small amount of parking available on the short, narrow road directly behind the pub where this walk begins but this gets full quickly at busy times. The main stone path which this route follows may be wet and a little sandy but doesn’t get too muddy. If you wish to explore more into grassy areas then choose footwear accordingly.
Behind the Hare and Hounds pub you will find a narrow concrete road heading to the base of Holcombe Hill. At the end of this road turn right to take the cobbled path with a fairly steep incline to begin the climb.
Follow on this path for around 500 metres until you reach a crossroads just past Darul Uloom College on the left. There is a road down to the right which leads back down to Lumb Carr Road and this is another option for parking and to start the route. Continue straight across on the cobbled path and continue uphill.
You will pass some houses to the right and shortly after these end there is a gate leading down a narrow path to the main road with a car park at the bottom. You can park here for a shorter route up the hill although this gets very busy at peak times and in nice weather, as does the parking on the road around it. For now, continue up the hill passing the sheep and alpaca field to the left.
After this you will pass a path to the left which provides a steeper route up the hill but for our route, continue onto Cross Lane, a tarmacked road running behind a row of cottages to the right. Please bear in mind that cars can come along these roads although the road is often quiet. At the end of this road there is an opening which joins directly onto a main road (please be aware of this for dogs and children) and you should see the Shoulder of Mutton pub to the right. Bear left here and continue uphill, again on a cobbled path.
You will pass Margaret Haes Riding Centre to the left as you continue uphill and may even see some of the horses grazing in the surrounding fields. You will soon pass over a cattle grid, or through the accompanying large metal gate. As you continue the climb, you will pass between 2 stone walls with a small sign to the left marking the entrance to Holcombe Moor. Soon after this, the path splits. You can continue straight on to explore more of Holcombe Moor, however to reach Peel Tower on this route follow the path to the left and as the stony path bends back on itself at a higher level you should see a clear view of the tower ahead.
Once you reach the tower there is ample room for a rest and some wonderful views (especially on clear days) and some great photo opportunities. You may be able to spot a wind farm in the distance, as well as Manchester city centre and much more. Again, from the tower you can continue behind it to explore more moorland but for this route, continue on the path with the tower to your right. You will soon pass a house to your right as the path bends to the left to begin the descent. This stony path can become slippy underfoot and is fairly steep downhill.
If you wish to, you can turn around at the tower and go down via the route you came up for a more gradual decline. Continue on this stony path until you meet some trees and follow the path round to the right. At the end of this path, turn left and continue a few metres ahead to rejoin the main path up the hill. Turn right here where you will once again see the sheep and alpaca field to the right and continue down on the same path you climbed at the beginning.
Check out Part 2 of this blog for more routes around Ramsbottom, Holcombe and Greenmount.
Bev Meakin – Personal Trainer/ Exercise Referral Officer and Complementary Therapist. Instagram @bevs_life