WHAT TO SEE IN DARWEN
Parks
Darwen has many Green Spaces for you to investigate, and these can be found in the Green Spaces section of this website. There are numerous old photos for you to look at there, but here we want to show you what a walk in the three main park and woodland areas is like today. Three of the Green Spaces in Darwen are Grade II listed: Whitehall Park, Bold Venture Park and Sunnyhurst Wood. They each have their own charm and attraction to locals and visitors alike, and we hope that these photo walks will give you a taste for sampling the attractions in person.
Sunnyhurst Wood
Sunnyhurst Wood has three main paths, all of which are inter-linked throughout the Wood. There are twelve different entrances to the Wood and you can start your walk from any one of them. The changing seasons provide different aspects to experience, from the Kingfisher on the brook in the early part of the year, to the deer roaming for most of the year, the depth of colour with the bluebells in Spring and the autumn tints of the foliage as the weather changes.
This is a popular spot for visitors and the Wood is well used, not surprising given the variety which it has to offer.This particular walk starts at Potters Gate on Earnsdale Road and follows the Top Path South Side to the exit beyond Spion Kop from where you leave the Wood briefly to cross the Reservoir. Having crossed the Reservoir you re-enter the Wood and follow the Middle Path until you reach the Lightbown Fountain where you take the Earnsdale Path back up to the start point.
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- 1. Commence your walk here at the Potter’s Gate on Earnsdale Road. The gate is tucked into a corner on your right just higher than the gate for the Sunnyhurst Kiosk and Visitor Centre.
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- 2. Once through the gate, keep left on the path and do not go down the steps. The path is well defined but can get muddy in wet weather.
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- 3. You are following the Top Path South Side and this walk continues on that path until you reach the far side of the wood before returning to the start point via the Middle Path. This is densely wooded and in Spring there is an abundant display of bluebells. In Autumn the trees are coloured in shades of yellow, orange and reds as the leaves turn.
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- 4. Many of the trees along this path grow precariously on the steep sided slopes of the valley, and many are quite spectacular in both shape and form.
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- 5. The path goes round to the left and then straightens out with red beech complementing the blue bells which grow beneath. The slope falls away to your right and through the trees you may just be able to make out the opposite side of the valley and the paths below.
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- 6. At the first junction with this path you turn left up the hill to stay on the Top Path South Side.
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- 7. As you climb the hill, with the valley to your right, the sun shines through the canopy, reflecting off the glossy leaves, and casts shadows in ever changing patterns on the ground.
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- 8. At the top of the hill are the remains of the sundial. This may seem a strange thing to find in an area which has dense foliage blocking out the direct sunlight but once it was very open here. As you reach the sundial turn right to stay in the Wood and go past the path on your left which leads to the car park.
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- 9. As you follow the path down and round to the right you pass two holding ponds on your left which carry water which has drained down from the moors. This is the start of the drainage ditch or leat which was created around 1840 through a series of elaborate tunnels to the Earnsdale Reservoir.
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- 10. You now have a choice of path – keeping the leat on your left there is a narrow path that runs alongside it, known locally as the fairy path. This will take you directly to the gate out of the Wood but it is uneven.
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- 11. The alternative is to keep on the Top Path South Side and keep left at the first junction.
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- 12. This takes you through an area known as Pine Walk and the bark on the pine trees looks quite outstanding in the dappled sunlight. Stay on this path until you reach the iron gate at the edge of the Wood. The fairy path will meet you there on your left.
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- 13. At the end of the fairy path the leat goes into the last tunnel in the Wood on its way to the Reservoir. Go through the gate and turn left up the road to the first junction where you turn right.
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- 14. Following the road around to the Reservoir, this is the sight you will see to your right. The dam to the reservoir has been reconstructed, and there is a good mix of open fields and woodland to create a natural appearance which hides most of the man-made influences.
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- 15. A wintry scene showing the road leading to the corner of the Reservoir.
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- 16. Glance over the wall as you reach the reservoir and there is the final stage of the leat followed through the Wood.
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- 17. Walk across the top of the Reservoir dam and at the end of the road turn right and go back into Sunnyhurst Wood.
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- 18. Looking back across the Reservoir before you re-enter the Wood gives a spectacular view, especially in winter, across the moors to Darwen Tower.
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- 19. Once back in the Wood you are now on the Middle Path. At the first junction bear right to stay on the Middle Path and go down the hill.
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- 20. The Middle Path goes steeply downhill at this point to the bottom of the valley.
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- 21. An autumnal look to the path leading towards the old fish pond.
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- 22. As you carry on along the Middle Path you will come to the old fish pond on your right. No fish these days, but home to many frogs at spawning time.
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- 23. Just in case you thought you were in the wrong place, the frog sculpture marks the spot.
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- 24. Next from the pond you come across the stone bridge which dates back to before the Wood was created as a public space in 1903. Do not cross the bridge but carry on along the Middle Path.
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- 25. At the next bridge, cross the brook and turn left towards the open space around the shelter.
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- 26. Pass the Greenway Shelter which was once used as a shelter for those watching open air theatre and music in this space. The shelter is still the focus for the winter carols and other social gatherings.
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- 27. Another wintry scene – you probably wouldn’t want to paddle here in winter, but this is the wading pond which was given a concrete base in the 1970s. Originally created in 1905, you can walk all the way around it by crossing the bridges. From here take the path at the far right of the pond.
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- 28. Going down the hill from the wading pond you come across the Huntington Bridge. Beyond the bridge is a moat and you can go either side of the moat as there is another bridge at the far end of it.
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- 29. If you cross the Huntington Bridge to pass the moat on your right then you will go past the front of the Olde Tea House. This is used by many Darwen folk for weddings, Christenings and the like. At the far end is a shop which sells a variety of light snacks, teas and ices, plus a toilet block.
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- 30. At the far end of the moat is the stone bridge. The Middle Path continues on the right hand side of the bridge. If you crossed the Huntington Bridge before then you will have to cross back here.
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- 31. Over the Stone Bridge is the old Woodman’s Hut which now operates as the Sunnyhurst Wood Visitor Centre. The opening times are restricted and you should check online first to see if it is open.
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- 32. Just past the bridge on the Middle Path is the Lightbown drinking fountain. No longer in use as a drinking fountain, this is a replacement which was put there by the Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood.
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- 33. A final wintry scene to show you the way out. There is the Lightbown Fountain on the right and you must now bear right to go up the hill where you will reach Earnsdale Road just below the Potters Gate. Turn right at the exit to see Potters Gate.
If you wish to see Whitehall Park please click on the button.
If you wish to see Bold Venture Park please click on the button.
What To See In Darwen
Listed Buildings in Darwen & Hoddlesden
Blue Plaques
Green Trail
Town Centre Trail
Industrial Heritage Trail
Listed Buildings in Tockholes