Start: Turton Tower.

From Junction 4 of the M65 follow signs for Darwen. Now on the A666 turn left onto the B6391 Green Arms Road two miles south of the town. One mile after the road crosses a railway turn right on the approach to Turton Tower.
Note: This walk was checked before Easter when there did not appear to be any restriction on parking at the Tower. However it is a popular attraction and matters may be quite different when open during the summer months. We advise readers to seek permission at the Tower before parking and if it is not forthcoming start the walk at Batridge Barn car park two miles back along Green Arms Road.
Fact file: Distance: 10k 6m
               Time: 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours
              Summary: Moderate - mainly level with 100m of gentle ascent
               Map: OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors
 
 

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette

Directions: The ancient pele tower at Turton was extensively restored in the 19th century after it became the home of James Kay a prosperous local cotton manufacturer. Previously it had been the home of the Chetham family famed for its endowment of Chetham's School in Manchester. The house remains one of the architectural treasures of Lancashire. From the car park turn right onto the drive.

 For the first 2 ½ miles of the walk you follow the Witton Weavers Way. After crossing the castellated railway bridge (a decorative feature insisted upon by the estate owner when the railway was constructed in the 19th century)

 continue up an incline with trees to your left.

 As the lane bends to the left keep ahead on a broad farm track.

 Keep on this for the next 2k approximately 30 minutes

 by which time you'll reach the B6391 Green Arms Road. 

Continue along the road for 100m and then turn right onto a footpath

 leading downhill across rough pastureland.

This will bring you to Batridge Barn car park.

Take an obvious path leading down through trees to Turton and Entwistle Reservoir.

As reservoirs go you will not find many more attractive than this one with its shores lined with conifers somewhat reminiscent of a Scottish loch or Lakeland tarn.

When you reach it turn left. Now on a broad track keep ahead with the water on your right for 1k (15mins). Where the waters begin to narrow cross a footbridge

over a feeder stream and turn right.

 

Continue on the shore hugging path for almost 2k. The walking is easy and pleasant.  After passing "the Wader" a sculpture depicting a heron,

the route edges around a pronounced inlet. Beyond this look out on the left for two wooden benches.

 A short distance after the second turn left onto a footpath leading up through trees.

Keep on this until

you reach a lane. (Edge Lane.) Turn right.

This leads down to Entwistle and the Strawbury Duck Inn.

Turn left opposite the inn and cross the railway bridge.

After 200m turn right onto a gravelly lane.

After passing between houses turn left over a stile.

Cross to another (complicated by a stone squeeze stile) and drop to the far right corner of the next field.

 After negotiating a muddy track turn right onto a wall lined path leading up to a stile.

Cross the stile and turn left with hedgerow on your left. After the next stile join a narrow path that leads to Wayoh Reservoir.

 Keep ahead to cross a causeway - to your right a fine view of the railway viaduct.

15 minutes of steady walking with the water on your left will bring you to the dam end of the reservoir. 

Turn right onto a service lane

 that will bring you onto Embankment Road leading down to Chapeltown. Turn left onto Green Arms Road.

After passing through the settlement bear right at the next junction.

In 500m you will arrive at the entrance to Turton Tower.