To the Wilderswood

Click on the pictures to see enlargements.

The weather was dull and threatening rain, so I decided to forsake the moors in favour of exploring Wilderswood. I'd passed through it a couple of times recently, but only briefly as a more pleasant means of getting higher up Georges Lane. So today the dogs and I spent our whole walk in the woods, and discovered a little bit of its history.The grid references are taken from the map OS287, West Pennine Moors (courtesy of TrackLogs Digital Maps).

Prior to 1959, as can be seen from this map of 1907, Wilder's Wood was mainly confined to the area of Wilder's Clough. The larger area of Wilderswood was planted with Beech, Alder, Corsican and Lodgepole pines in 1959 in an agreement between Lancashire County Council and Blackrod Urban District Council. Hybrid Larch was planted later to replace dead pines.

A larger version of this map can be seen in the downloadable book Winter Hill Scrapbook by Dave Lane.


I parked the car at the little car park on Georges Lane (grid ref: SD 651 124). There is only room for about eight cars here, and at weekends it quickly fills up as this is a very popular starting point for walkers.


Just inside the gate is a map showing some of the paths in and around Wilderswood. The text on the map includes the following: "Ownership of the woods transferred from Greater Manchester Council to the local water authority and now rests with United Utilities, who granted a long term lease to Bolton Metro. The car park and footpaths were created but management of the trees has been absent. Ongoing thinning of the trees will improve their form and stability against strong winds as well as allowing more light to improve wildlife value and for visitors to the wood.

To help the wildlife further, fire damaged areas have been replanted with native broadleaves of Sessile Oak, Silver Birch and Rowan, with Holly, Hawthorn and Hazel providing a woodland edge. The conifer woodland will be retained as it is rare in the Borough and harbours many bird species, including Goldcrests, Siskins, Coal Tits, Tawny and Long-eared Owls, Jays, Cuckoos and Sparrowhawks. The open heather and bilberry moor, with acidic grassland in the upper clough and Wilders Moor, is a hunting ground for the familar Kestrel and elusive Merlin."

The light green shading at the top of the map shows the original area of Wilder's Wood. In addition to these "official" paths there are many more, trodden by countless feet since 1959.


After a quick perusal of the map I set off on my ramblings by taking the path off to the right from the gate. This is the one I've used on other occasions when wanting to get higher up Georges Lane but by a more pleasant route.


In spite of the passing years since the planting of these woods, this picture shows the original regimented lines of trees. My dog Brett is more interested in what's on, in and under the dead log.


A house called Rockhaven was built on pasture land above Brink's Wood Quarry (see the 1907 map) in the early 1800's and enlarged in the mid 1800's by it's owner at that time, Richard Brownlow, an attorney from Bolton. Some of the enlargement included castle-like parapets, which led to the house being known locally as "Rockhaven Castle" or "Torney Brownlow's Castle". When Brownlow died the house became the property of Lord Leverhulme, but despite proposed plans by Blackrod Council to turn it into a Youth Hostel, it was eventually demolished in 1942. The picture shows a little of what's still visible of the ruins.


Eventualy I reached the end of this path as it came to its junction with Georges Lane. According to the map near the gate where I entered the woods this part of the path is called The Drive, so presumably this was the original driveway to Rockhaven Castle.


Just as I arrived at the junction with Georges Lane I saw the path going sharp left by the side of Wilders Clough. Grid ref: SD 650 126.


This picture shows the view at the top of the clough just before the path begins a steep descent. As you can see, autumn is fast approaching.


The narrow path from the top of the clough quickly joins the Pine Path as it continues descending.


At the end of the Pine Path at the bottom of Wilders Clough I reached a stile leading onto a much wider path. At this point the stream that comes down the clough crossed under the path from right to left.


This path now runs through what was once the original Wilder's Wood, as seen on both maps above.


At this point on my way downhill I came to this path off to the left that leads towards Ormiston Road, where you can either go uphill to the moors or downhill to Rivington.


This is a view looking downhill towards Rivington, taken from the side of the path oss to the right.


At this point the stream on the other side of the wall on the left crosses under the path to the right hand side.


This is the stream running downhill by the side of the path. It is interesting to note that, on closer inspection of the sides of the stream bed, it can be seen that it is a man made culvert. In the past there was a great deal of industry in this area (including a number of coal mines and a brick works) so it is likely this stream provided much needed water.


Eventually I came to this junction, with paths going off in all directions, so I decided to take the one off to the left.


On the map near the entrance to the woods this path is called the Lower Oak Walk.


I clambered down the side of the path to see if I could get a better view of the stream in the man made culvert. Unfortunately the passing years have seen Nature gradually claiming back what was once hers, and as the picture shows, it's very difficult to get a clear view. The best I could do was show a tiny waterfall joining the main stream coming in from the right. Perhaps someone more agile that me could get a better shot.

PS. I've put a video of this stream at the end of the article.


After my exertions I made my way back to the crossroads at the bottom of Lower Oak Walk and continued downhill on the wide path.


This picture gives a slightly better view of the man made culvert. At this point there appears to be a path on either side of the culvert, and a small footbridge. Brett and Sam seem to be conducting their own investigations.


Just before reaching a group of houses near Brinks Wood Quarry (grid ref: SD 648 124) I came to a gate leading back into the woods.


To the right of the path is this view overlooking Horwich. You can just see the tower of Horwich Church a little left of the middle of the picture.


From the gate the path took me past the lower part of Brinks Wood Quarry and then began to ascend through the trees.


A short climb brought me to Quarry Terrace just above the quarry, where I turned right. It's likely that this quarry is where the stone was hewn to build Rockhaven Castle.


At this point the path passes through an old stone wall.


Quarry Terrace eventually becomes Old Rake way. Brett shows his impeccable manners by watering the hedge.


And soon we were back at the car park.


And finally, do you know the name of this fungus?


And here's the video of the stream I promised you earlier.