Great Hill via Dean Black Brook

Click on each picture to see an enlargement.

I decided to do this walk after coming across an account of it on an excellent blog called Preston Walkies. Although the total distance was only about four miles, they were the most pleasant I've walked for quite a while.

The grid references are taken from the Ordnance Survey map OS287, West Pennine Moors (courtesy of TrackLogs Digital Maps).

I parked the car at the delightful little hamlet of White Coppice, where John and I donned our walking gear whilst Brett and Sam waited impatiently in the back of the car. Grid ref: SD618 190.

A short distance along the lane we entered the White Coppice cricket ground. White Coppice was also the birthplace of Henry Tate, born 1819, who made his fortune in sugar and founded the Tate Gallery.


White Coppice cricket ground must rate as one of the most picturesque places at which to start or finish a walk. And today it had attracted the attentions of a small group of lady artists, who were busy painting watercolours of the scene as we passed by.


After a short chat with the ladies John and I made our way to the start of today's walk. Brett and Sam had already disappeared through the gate, not being very interested in painting and anxious to be off.


Once through the gate our way lead straight ahead.


The path took us alongside Dean Black Brook which, in times past, was used to power Leicester Mill that was owned by the Leicester family (also referred to as Lester or Lister). Evidence of this earlier use can clearly be seen by the extensive stonework in the sides of the brook at this point.


After a short walk uphill the path veered off to the left and up the side of a small quarry.


This lead to a narrow path through the ferns just above Dean Black Brook.


A little further on we came to a choice of paths: either straight on and remain above the brook, or downwards to the stream bed.


We chose the downward route and were rewarded with an excellent view. Grid ref: SD623 189.


The lower path continued by the edge of the brook, with an occasional small detour to negotiate a rockier section.


With all the fine, dry weather we have had recently there's not much water flowing down from the moors. I'm sure the brook would look even better after some heavy rain, though I'm not sure I'd want to be standing where I took this picture then.


At this point the path passes through an area that looks like it would be pretty muddy after some rain. On this occasion though it was easy to traverse over. Grid ref: SD634 189.


Once again we had to scramble upwards to avoid another rather rocky section.


After trekking through the ferns we got our first glimpse of Great Hill, though with still some way to go yet.


At this point we came to a small copse that would make an excellent picnic spot in the shade.


Shortly after leaving the copse we took the path that lead away from Dean Black Brook and took us to the ruins of Great Hill Farm. Grid ref: SD641 189.


This would make another excellent picnic spot, but we intended having our lunch up on Great Hill in a few more minutes.


Eventually we arrived at the stile near the junction with the path from Spitlers Edge.


Our lunch spot at last on the top of Great Hill. Grid ref: SD646 190.


After a sumptious lunch of herring in tomato sauce on granary bread (John had sardines - great minds think alike) it was time to set off along the path back down to White Coppice.


At the stile just below Great Hill there is a terrific view in the direction we were travelling. The trees on the left are just above Dean Black Brook whilst the trees on the right hide the remains of Drinkwaters Farm.


And here we are at the ruins of Drinkwaters Farm, so called it seems because of a clear spring that flows nearby.


At this point the path straight ahead leads to the village of Brinscall. Our path however continues downhill to the left. Grid ref: SD633 191.


Here we passed through all that remains of Coppice Stile House, a grand name for what is now just a pile of fallen stones. Grid ref: SD627 190.


Not long afterwards we got our first glimpse of our final destination at White Coppice.


Coming in to White Coppice there is this lovely view of the quarry at Stronstrey Bank. Grid ref: SD620 190.


And so we arrived back at White Coppice after an excellent and very scenic walk.


Just time for one last, longing look at the cottages at the side of the cricket ground.

You can see more pictures from this walk at John's photography site.