Smithills Hall And Estate, Winter Hill, And Burnt Edge, Near Bolton

Introduction

Other commitments mean that I can’t get out for a walk today.

But no worries, I went on Tuesday instead!

Smithills Estate is the largest site owned by The Woodland Trust in England. The starting point for the walk is just 3 miles northwest of Bolton.

The weather was cold, though less so than today! There was plenty of sunshine too, with occasional high clouds drifting through.

This 8 mile walk was completed it in just 3 hours 30 minutes, plus 15 minutes for lunch.

It’s a 35-40 minute drive to Smithills from Cheadle Hulme.

I walked anti-clockwise.

This walk is great for dog walking, as most of it is on tracks, with just one or two shortish road sections.

I parked at Smithills Hall, postcode BL1 7NP.

Smithills Hall To Winter Hill

Leaving the car park, and heading north, conditions were great for a brisk walk to warm up in the low December sunshine.

The path crossed the first of many wooded cloughs.

Rising towards Horrocks Hill Farm, the views to the south soon emerged through the trees.

I crossed the fields to join Scout Road at the car par, and took a peek at Brian Hey Reservoir.

I took the very quiet minor road towards Smithills Dean, turning left along a drive which then became a track.

The path crossed three small and pretty wooded cloughs before heading back up to rejoin the minor road.

I was now quite close to the Winter Hill TV mast where The Woodland Trust’s presence is evident from the number of new trees planted here!

Winter Hill To Barrow Bridge

Here, the panoramic views are worth stopping for, and taking in.

Holden’s Farm enjoys the views, but no doubt must face some stormy weather too!

Burnt Edge looks down into a lovely wooded valley (Walker Fold Woods), across which Holden’s Farm and the TV mast were resplendent in the sunshine.

The route now drops downhill to Colliers Row Road. Here, there is a new Woodland Trust car park, so anyone wanting a shorter walk can park here and enjoy the paths in Walker Fold Woods.

Crossing the road, the fenced path continues to head back down towards Bolton.

The descent culminates with a long staircase down to Dean Brook!

A pleasant riverside stroll leads to Barrow Bridge.

Barrow Bridge To Smithills Hall

The laneside wall was being rebuilt here, very nice.

And the cottages to the left are all accessed by individual bridges over the water.

I turned left up a steepish path to Sheep House Farm. The path right across the fields was unmarked, and there would be livestock here in warmer seasons. A tall brick chimney provides an easy direction indicator. Emerging by the chimney, there are some attractive modern houses, presumably built on the site of a former mill.

I found my way between the houses to join another hidden gem of a path tucked between the river and a busy main road.

After negotiating a short busy roadside section and a residential road of older cottages backing onto the river, I crossed the river and enjoyed the stroll back to the hall via the wooded valley.

Having started out early, I was able to sit on a bench and enjoy my lunch by the side of the splendid Smithills Hall. The historic hall is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

This is a perfect place to go walking, with many alternative shorter or longer routes to choose from. Highly recommended.

And Finally….

Another new band that I’ve come across. This is the strangely named Jo-Jo & The Teeth with Don’t Get Too Heavy.