Total Distance: 8 Km or 5 miles
Time: 2 – 2½ hours
Terrain: Moderate ascents interrupt a mainly easy waterside walk.

Start: Batridge Road Car park by Entwistle Reservoir. From M65 junction 4 turn left into Darwen onto A666. Follow through Darwen to junction with B6391, Green Arms Road. In 2½ Km or 1½ miles turn left for car park.

Map

1. Car Park to Edgworth: (2 Km or 1¼ miles: 40 mins)






From the upper car park drop down towards the dam end of  Entwistle Reservoir.



Here turn into the lower car park to locate a concessionary path that will quickly bring you, in beech woodland, to an impressive viaduct of the Blackburn – Bolton railway.




The track is broad and well maintained. Beyond the viaduct it soon reaches the edge of Wayhoh Reservoir with Edgworth village on the opposite side.




Continue along the track, with the reservoir on your left until you reach the dam end. Here turn left towards the village.



To the right the wall falls away steeply to a wooded valley; to the left you are given a wide view of the reservoir and its setting. At the far end of the dam turn right for Edgworth village.


2. Edgworth to the Strawbury Duck, Entwistle (3 Km or 2 miles: 50 mins)
This section of the route follows part of the Warpers Trail and is clearly waymarked. Edgworth has at least three pubs but if it is close to a meal time you may find it difficult to pass the Black Bull which you will reach immediately on entering the village.



Retracing your steps from there you will come to a path which will take you along the eastern side of Wayhoh Reservoir.



A particularly striking feature will be a view of the viaduct you passed under near the start of the walk. After 20 mins you will reach a lane that crosses the neck of the reservoir on a causeway.



Continue with the reservoir on your left.



At the top end, the track swings left over a wooden footbridge. Soon a second footbridge is reached. Beyond it look out for the waymark post which will put you onto a stony track leading upwards through woodland.






A kissing gate leads out onto pasture.



Cross to a tarmac lane and turn right for Entwistle Station and the Strawbury Duck. (See below)

3. The Strawbury Duck to Car Park 4 Km or 2½ miles: 1 hour)
On reaching the Strawberry Duck turn left into Overshore Road immediately in front of it. This will take you past a terrace of houses on a track down to Entwistle Reservoir. If pressed for time you can curtail the walk by about 45 minutes by crossing the dam end before you. But this would be a shame since you would miss out on a lovely shoreline ramble.



Simply turn right and follow the path, with water always on your left.



At the top end cross a wooden bridge and turn left. 



25 minutes should see you back in the car park.



The Strawbury Duck



A great name for a lovely pub in a glorious setting! The Strawbury Duck, named after the wildfowl that can be seen in the area, is an old fashioned country pub with lots of small rooms and alcoves, low heavily beamed ceilings, flagged floor and a variety of fires/fireplaces.





There was a good range of food on offer, we opted for bacon and mozarella melts which were served with a side salad and crisps. Service was friendly and efficient.
There were 4 cask ales on offer, all of them from Liverpool's Robert Cain's Brewery: Cain's Finest Bitter(4%), Cain's IPA(3.5%), Cain's Dark Mild(3.2%) and unusually a cask lager Cain's Bock Lager (4.5%).
We had the bitter and the IPA - both were served in good condition and were a pleasure to drink.
A feature of our Tuesday walks is how few fellow walkers we meet but today was an exception. This area is rightfully very popular with walkers as is the Strawbury Duck.