Nelson, Marsden Park
Last year we published a walk starting from the huge shopping complex Boundary Mill situated on the edge of Colne. It was an example of a type of walk that might be done in an unlikely situation and we particularly had couples in mind when we fashioned it where one partner is intent on shopping and the other has time to kill. It would be nice to report that since then we have had correspondence from grateful RELATE counsellors telling us how the Boundary Mill walk has saved relationships and reconciled couples once split by shopping exhibitions to East Lancashire; but that would not be true. Perhaps this short walk will provoke that response instead! As it happens it visits Marsden Park, Nelson bringing our occasional series of winter walks featuring municipal parks to a conclusion.
Start:Boundary Mill car park. Boundary Mill is at the end of M65. Alternatively this walk could start from Colne Railway Station
Factfile: Distance 6k 4 miles
Time: 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours
Summary: Easy walking across pastures and parkland.
Map: OS Explorer OL21 South Pennines
Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
Directions: At the front entrance of Boundary Mill turn right and then left to walk along the side of the building. At the end cross to a pedestrian exit that places you on a cycleway.
Turn right and follow the track as it leads you first to the leisure centre and then the station on Burnley Road (A56).
Turn right. After crossing Colne Water
continue until you reach Bethel Church.
Here cross the road to Wackersall Street.
Walk up Wackersall Street to join a rough track that skirts Primet High School.
This leads over the railway line to a junction of paths. Pass through a metal squeeze stile and turn left. The footpath climbs up through pasture
to reach a green metal gate at the edge of a tree line drive (Briercliffe Avenue).
Follow the waymark sign across a lane and then turn left onto a track.
After a short distance bear right over a stone step stile
and continue uphill once again across pastureland.
After passing below pylons the route arrives at a wooden stile.
Beyond this the path soon leads to a housing estate (on Gib Hill Road).
Keep ahead to reach the road end on Walton Lane diagonally across from the imposing gates of Marsden Park.
Created in the nineteenth century Marsden Park has recently benefited from a £1.7 million renovation funded through the National Lottery.
It is an attractive and aesthetically pleasing amenity which has deservedly won a Green Flag award.
Depending on the season you may want to spend time exploring this delightful open space.
From the Walton Road entrance traverse the park with Marsden Old Hall on your left
to exit the park into Hallam Road. Turn left and follow the road round as it joins Town House Road. At the junction bear left.
After 50m turn right onto the drive leading up to Marsden Municipal Golf course.
The right of way continues uphill away from the large clubhouse edging along the fairways
with the occasional waymark post to reassure you.
On the upper part of the golf course a line of white posts will ensure you stay on the right of way.
As you reach the top of the course close to the 9th tee bear right past a bench.
Behind you there is a fine view across to Pendle Hill.
Walk for 200m and then locate a stone stile in the wall on your left which is not easy to pick out.
This leads onto a farm drive and then onto Southfield Lane.
Turn left.
Walk for 500m and hen turn left onto a footpath close to electricity pylons.
This cuts a corner. Back on the lane
turn left onto a path crossing Castercliff a modest hill that provides a fine viewpoint across the valley.
Maintain the direction of the sign post from the lane cross the brow of the hill and then drop to a wooden stile with three waymark signs.
Follow the top one slightly left. Soon this places you on a track leading down to a large farm building.
The right of way leads to the right of the house
and then downhill to Higher Knotts.
Keep on the track as it swings right and then reaches Knotts Lane. Turn left for Colne.
In 500m you will arrive at Burnley Road having crossed Colne Water close to the railway station.
