| Walk: | Whalley (Abbey), Whalley Bank, Bowley Scout Camp and Dean Clough Reservoir | ||
| Start Point: | Spring Wood car park, Whalley | Grid Reference: | SD 742 360 |
| Distance: | 9 miles | Ascent: | 1,400 feet |
| Time: | 5 hrs | ||
| Weather: | Bright and sunny most of the day with rain threatening at the end of the walk. | ||
| Comments: | Leaving Spring Wood the group of twenty plus wandered down hill to the township of Whalley to view the railway viaduct and Abbey area. The leader, John, related information to the group about the viaduct and the Abbey before crossing the River Calder to walk a steep path to Whalley Banks. From Whalley Banks, John took the group past the Bowley Scout Camp before skirting Great Harwood on the way to Dean Clough Reservoir. Lunch was taken overlooking the reservoir which allowed one to digest the views as well as food. Returning along the north side of the reservoir the group then dropped down to Whalley to re-cross the River Calder passing one of its weirs as the group started a gentle climb by road to Spring Wood. Although there had been one or two spots of rain the rain held off until people had started to return home. Then it poured down. Nice walk in a nice area, thank you leader. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
John tells a story before . . .
we set off from Spring Wood, Kemple End can be seen in the background
Underneath the arches at Whalley viaduct
Story time at a gatehouse - Whalley Abbey
where we inspect the architecture inside . . .
and outside
NO MORE HOUSES WANTED in Whalley. Will . . .
these and . . .
these suffice
River Calder West . . .
and East
The path up to Whalley Banks
Looking down on Whalley from Whalley Banks
Coffee in Dean Wood
Two young gate keepers
Speckled Wood butterfly - common in the south but only local in the north
Approaching Dean Clough Reservoir
Traipsing along the path around Dean Clough Reservoir . . .
and another view of the same path
A short climb towards the lunch stop . . .
where there is time for a nap!
Looking N.N.E. over Dean Clough Reservoir
Looking East
I'm a cow, so why do I have a ring through my nose?
Weir on the River Calder