Walk Description

The starting point of today’s walk is the small country park of Wycoller. Wycoller is a small hamlet a few miles south-east of Colne.  Wycoller is a car free zone, so I parked approx 0.5km away and walked down the footpath into the pretty hamlet.  As I strolled along the lane it was time to be transported back into history. Although the water level was low I decided not to cross via the ford and made my across the 13th Century pack-horse bridge, also known as Sally’s Bridge.  I then spent a few minutes wandering around the quiet, slumbering ruins of Wycoller Hall soaking in the peace and calm.  Then it was time to set out along the tarmac lane next to Wycoller Beck.  About 0.5km down the lane is the Clam Bridge.  This is thought to be at least 1,000 years old and is made from a single span of gritstone balanced precariously on a rocky ledge at each side of the beck.

It was then time to leave the main path and head out along a concessionary path to Turnhole Clough.  This was a pleasant shady interlude in a deep wooded valley alongside the babbling stream.  At the end of the Clough the path climbs steeply up to the sturdy bridge near Brinks End.  The size of the bridge gives a good indication of the strength of the stream during a flash flood.  From here I followed the Pendle Way along the base of Boulsworth Hill treading on the remains of a pack horse trail.

Just after Boulsworth Dyke Farm I turned south and followed the marker posts up the damp Bedding Hill Moor.  As I climbed the steep moor I could see the Abbot Stone at what appeared to be the summit, however the summit is another 70m higher up the hill, so after a good rest to get my breath back after the step climb up the moor, I set off for Lad Law and the trig point. Whilst I had a rest I turned north and looked over towards Pendle Hill.  It was a shame that the viability was so poor and the Yorkshire Three Peaks couldn’t be seen for the haze.

The trig point stands on Lad Law, the highest part of Boulsworth Hill.  As I climbed onto the ridge I felt the wind hit me and the temperature felt to have dropped at least 10 degrees.  I wandered around the many rocks that litter the summit ridge trying in vain to find a sheltered spot for lunch.  Eventually I eased my way into a crevice and had a pastie and a drink.  The ridge was quite boggy in places and I made my way with care to the Little Chair Stones, where I then followed the marker posts back to the Pendle Way at the foot of the hill.

I then retraced my footsteps to the bridge at Brinks End and looked for the sign pointing to the Bronte Way.  I was really pleased to see that it was only 1 mile back to Wycoller from here.  I crossed the fields to Dean House Farm and then followed the lane to Wycoller Hall.  Gone was the quiet slumbering atmosphere, instead the Hall had been invaded by picnicking families and hoards of exploring children enjoying the spring sunshine. Now it was just a short stroll back to the crowded car park outside the hamlet.