Digley,Blackpool Bridge &
Andy Leader
Goodbent Walk
Route Summary
A walk along stone walled lanes field and moorland paths.
Route Overview
Category: Walking
Length: 8.410 km / 5.26 mi
Last Modified: 3rd May 2015
Difficulty: Medium
Rating: Unrated
Surface: Average
Date Published: 2nd May 2015
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Description
A walk along stone walled lanes field and moorland paths.
Waypoints
(53.56155; -1.83454)
Leave carpark via ramp way and turn right to follow lane.
Digley Reservoir in winter. Copyright Andy Leader
(53.56179; -1.83568)
(53.56185; -1.83688)
Turn right here through the stone wall and into the old quarry. Look out for a blue water board sign and a
yellow waymark.
(53.56216; -1.83888)
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Head up hill steeply to a lovely seat where you can have a breather before going over a stile and continuing
up a field edge to another ladder type stile. Cross this and turn left along the walled lane.
Holme from the top lane,Digley. www.madeinholmfirt
(53.56340; -1.83876)
This is what what I call the "top lane" and all you need to do now is follow it's gentle curves gradually
upwards towards Goodbent Lodge which you can see in the distance. Enjoy the views!
Passing shower Digley Reservoir. www.madeinholmfir
(53.56390; -1.84175)
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Black Hill and Goodbent. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.56434; -1.84461)
Hares and birds.
(53.56258; -1.84907)
If you stand quietly and look over these fields you may see a brown hare or two. Most times I walk this way I
will see them. In the spring and summer the air will be filled with Curlew,Lapwing and Plover song. This is
also a goood place to here a Cuckoo.
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Lower Greave www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.56261; -1.85190)
Lower Greave is one of the many empty farm steads in this valley. The population here was cleared by the
water authority when the reservoirs were built. Many of the buildings were demolished and those that remain
are slowly falling down. Lower Greave has been propped up by a timber brace for many years but I don't think
it will last much longer. There are Swallows, Owls and often a Woodcock in or around it.
Bartin and Digley.
(53.56168; -1.86711)
There's a good gate to lean on and enjoy the view next to the sycamore tree at Bartin. Goodbent Lodge is a
shooting lodge used by the Grouse shoot on Goodbent Moor. 5 / 13
Turn left.
(53.56169; -1.87104)
Look out for a stone stile next to a metal gate. Cross the stile and head downhill by the field edge.
Sheep country www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.56034; -1.87082)
This is sheep country so keep that dog on a lead.
Blackpool Bridge.
(53.55935; -1.86833)
If you've brough a picnic this is the place to enjoy it. The name Blackpool Bridge is something of a
cartographical error. The place has nothing to do with Blackpool and it's tower but rather is named after the
black pool just below the bridge. I once met a bloke in his eighties who learnt to swim in it! 6 / 13
Red Grouse www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55895; -1.86484)
You'll see and hear a few of these moorland comedians as you head out over the heather. They have a
clucking "go back,go back" call but take a closer look if you can as they are beautiful.
Goodbent Moor. wwwmadeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55826; -1.86369)
You're now walking through the heather on Goodbent Moor.
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Mountain Hare. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55409; -1.86597)
You might be lucky enough to see a Mountain Hare on the moor. In the autumn they moult from brown to a
beautiful white winter coat and then back agin come spring. The Victorians reintroduced them here to hunt
but for me they are the spirit of the moors and a joy to see.
Issues Clough. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.54937; -1.86772)
If you look up towards Black Hill you will see Issues Clough and the white splash of its peaty waterfall. 8 / 13
Issues Road. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55051; -1.86134)
Issues Road is an Occupation Road. A road way laid out maybe 150 years or so ago to provide access to
agricultural land. At this time the moorland and common land was being enclosed for farming by the drystone
walls you can see around you. Occupation Roads gave access to the land and you're now walking down a
perfect example.
Evening Light. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55218; -1.85259)
The fields around Issues Road in some lovely evening light.
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Holme Valley. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55393; -1.84382)
The enclosed land around Issues Road.
Foxglove. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55471; -1.84238)
This little lane is lined with Foxgloves throught the summer. It is also the old road across the valley. Prior to
Digley dam this lane was the main access and led to a large mill now submerged beneath the reservoir. I was
lucky enough to talk to a bloke who was a child when thedam was being built and the emoty mill was his
playground.
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Digley. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.55932; -1.84338)
The reservoir may be man made but time has made it beautiful.
Holme Moss. www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk
(53.56091; -1.84496)
Another seat to sit and enjoy the views.
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Winter Reflections Digley. www.madeinholmfirth.co.
(53.56176; -1.83956)
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