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- 1. Whitehall Park is directly opposite the Park Inn on Cemetery Road, postcode BB3 2LZ. There is plenty of space to park on the road towards the top of Whitehall Park on Whitehall Road. From the top of Whitehall Park take the lane straight ahead by the wooden fence.
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- 2. As you reach the end of the wooden fence you will see the first footpath sign. Continue along the lane straight ahead.
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- 3. At the next footpath marker you have three options. For this walk, continue straight ahead and keep on the current lane.
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- 4. In a short distance you will pass the entrance to Higher House Farm on your right. Continue on the lane straight ahead.
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- 5. As you walk along the lane the view opens up as you reach the fields. Ahead in the trees to the left you can see what is known as Whitehall Farm in the area of Near Wet Head.
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- 6. To your right you will be able to see Lord’s Hall high up on the hill.
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- 7. The lane curves round to the left ahead as you make your way up to Whitehall Farm.
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- 8. At Whitehall Farm you will take the path to the right hand side of the farm where there are clear footpath signs.
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- 9. Looking back you can see what an impressive view the farm has to the South of Darwen.
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- 10. At the end of the fence there are two footpath markers showing the way ahead.
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- 11. In a short distance there is the gateway to another landmark at Far Wet Head.
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- 12. A substantial stile for the walker’s use if the gate is not open takes you into the grounds of Higher Whethead Farm.
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- 13. At the end of the driveway as you pass through the trees of the landscaped garden the house and barn come into view. The gate ahead can be seen between the two buildings.
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- 14. As you emerge from the trees, the view from the front garden is quite stunning.
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- 15. On the corner of the barn is a footpath marker showing the way and to the left of the gate is a stile with more footpath markers.
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- 16. Beyond the gate the path follows the edge of the sheep field by the fence.
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- 17. Looking back at the end wall of the barn there is evidence of change of use over time. What appear as windows now look more like former doorways.
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- 18. Moving away from Higher Whethead Farm the view becomes more open and the moorland starts to take over.
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- 19. Looking over the fence to your right there is first of all the sheep field and beyond that to the right is Higher House Farm.
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- 20. As you make your way across the field, keep the fence on your right and watch for the footpath markers to guide you.
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- 21. At the end of the field you will meet a fence and on your right is a stile to cross. Just inside the sheep field is a post with a footpath marker on indicating that when you have entered the field you turn left and follow the edge of the field.
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- 22. As you walk around the edge of the field the ground slopes steeply away on your left and Duckshaw Farm comes into view.
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- 23. As you continue round the edge of the field, Duckshaw Brook is below. Stay on the top part of the field until you are close to the footbridge further down on the right of this photo.
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- 24. As you get close to the footbridge there is a post in the ground but the footpath markers are now missing. The way down to the bridge is well trodden.
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- 25. The footbridge is substantial, but the footpath markers are nowhere to be seen.
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- 26. Having crossed the bridge there is a stile just off to the right. When you cross this stile you will find that there is a footpath marker on the opposite side of the post.
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- 27. After the stile walk up the path ahead which climbs a short slope.
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- 28. At the top of the slope is a watering hole for the horses and to your left is Duckshaw Farm with Lords Hall above on the horizon. Keep to the right of the watering hole and walk up the slope
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- 29. As you walk up the slope you will come across the path coming down which goes off to your right. Keep going up to where the horses are in this photo to find your next stile.
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- 30. You could be forgiven for thinking that the horses were merely statues at this point – they never moved a muscle as I walked past them. Great view looking back to the route you have taken.
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- 31. This is the stile to cross onto Duckshaw Road. The footpath marker shows that you can go both ways, but today we are going left up the hill.
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- 32. The road here is tarmac, but we are not on this for long.
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- 33. When you reach this point take the right hand dirt track up the hill.
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- 34. As you walk up onto the top of the moor do take the time to look back and see the magnificent views.
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- 35. When you reach this point keep right and continue to climb up to the top of the moor.
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- 36. Eventually the path starts to level off and the heather in summer is punctuated with masses of cotton grass.
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- 37. The view over Lords Hall from the top of the moor gives you an idea of just how bleak it must be in winter.
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- 38. Continuing along the same path you will find that the masts on Winter Hill come into view on your left.
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- 39. The first view of the Tower off to your right gives a stunning view on a fine day.
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- 40. Continue on the same path until you reach this gate. The trees ahead mark the position of the old Lyons Farm. At this point make a sharp right turn, almost going back on yourself.
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- 41. Having made the right turn the Tower can be seen in the distance and in the near ground is a stone marker pointing the way.
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- 42. To your left the ground slopes away towards the trees where Old Aggies and Stepback can be found.
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- 43. At the stone marker keep to the left.
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- 44. Now you can see the footpath stretch out in front of you. This does not go in a direct line to the Tower, but sweeps around to the left before turning back right across the front edge of the moor.
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- 45. Continue along the same path until you reach this point where the path from Old Aggies meets up and proceed round to the right.
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- 46. Continue along the same path as it makes its way across the front edge of the moor and keep right until you reach the Tower. For further views from this path see Tower Walk 2.
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- 47. When the Tower comes into view follow the path towards your goal.
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- 48. When you reach the Tower I hope it is finally open for you and the weather is kind so that you see the magnificent views from the top.
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- 49. When you are ready to leave the Tower, walk around the front edge of the perimeter wall to find the path on the far side of the Tower.
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- 50. The path you require is not marked as well as the path you previously followed.
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- 51. The path (1) curves around to the right, (2) then back left to meet another path (3) which you then follow to the left. (4) On the right you can see the masts on Winter Hill.
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- 52. The point at which you meet the path coming from the right is marked by a post and a bench. Turn left at this point.
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- 53. Continue along this path until you reach these two posts at the front edge of the moor. The path to take here is straight ahead between the two posts.
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- 54. Take a moment to admire the views at this point.
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- 55. Across the centre of town.
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- 56. Towards Pendle Hill.
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- 57. Looking back towards the Tower.
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- 58. As you follow the path there are great views across the town to your left. India Mill Chimney stands proud then going left you have the modern build of DACA, and in the centre of town the clock tower of St Peter’s Church with the Heritage Centre just in front.
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- 59. Continue along the same path keeping the fence/wall on your left until you reach Duckshaw Road.
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- 60. When you reach Duckshaw Road you will see the gateposts you walked through earlier. Turn left down Duckshaw Road.
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- 61. Eventually you will reach the stile on your right which you crossed earlier. I cannot guarantee that the horses will be there.
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- 62. The footpath marker on the stile indicates which way to go and you take the left hand path down towards the trees.
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- 63. When you reach the trees the path crosses a stile to reach the lane leading up to Higher House Farm. Turn right up the lane.
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- 64. When you reach the outskirts of Higher House Farm there is a post with a footpath marker. The owner tells me that there is a concessionary path round the farm in the field to the left of this post.
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- 65. Walk around the farm house keeping to the perimeter of the field until you reach this path making the way down the hill away from the farm.
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- 66. The path takes you into the trees and down to Bury Fold Brook.
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- 67. The path takes you to this bridge which you must cross then turn left.
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- 68. The path climbs the hill ahead and you will reach these steps which you climb to the end of the walk.
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- 69. Beyond the steps you will reach the first footpath marker at the start of the walk. Turn left at this point.
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- 70. After turning left at the footpath marker you are alongside the wooden fence you passed at the start of the walk with Whitehall Road directly in front.
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