Cottage Walk #3

A CIRCULAR WALK TO THE SINGING RINGING TREE

Written by Mike Armstrong

WALK #3: A CIRCULAR WALK TO THE 'SINGING RINGING TREE'

DISTANCE: 6 MILES

TOTAL ASCENT: 125M

SUGGESTED TIME: 4 HOURS

STARTING POINT: ROSSENDALE HOLIDAY COTTAGES

[1]

From the holiday cottages exit through the main steel gates and turn right onto Dean Lane. Follow the lane for 1/4 mile to the junction of Burnley Road. Turn right passing the park on your right hand side and walk through the village of Water.

[2]

Follow Burnley Road as it ascends into the countryside above Water. Carry on past Clough Bottom reservoir taking in the wonderful views on the way.

[3]

After approximately one mile when you pass and are above Clough Bottom reservoir you will arrive at the information signs. Cross over Burnley Road and follow the track up the hill for approximately 50 meters. You will then come to a gate on your right hand side.

[4]

Go through this gate and follow the track for about 1 1/2 miles crossing all path interceptions. After about 10 minutes walk up the slowly rising incline the path will plateau out and you will be rewarded with stunning views of Pendle Hill and the Trough of Bowland.

[5]

At the highest point of the track the path crosses Crown Point road by the side of a cattle grid. Shortly after crossing the road if you look straight ahead you can see a fabulous view of Burnley and the surrounding villages, and to the right catch your first glimps of the 'Singing Ringing Tree'.

 

[6]

Follow the designated path from the car park to the Singing Ringing Tree.

THE 'SINGING RINGING TREE'

 

This is a 3 meter high wind powered musical sculpture high above the town of Burnley on Crown Point moor.

The sculpture is constructed from tubes placed at different angles and bent into the shape of a tree blown by the wind.

The constant wind on the moors causes an eerie melodic hum.

Completed in 2006 and designed by Mike Tomlin and Anna Liu, the tree is well worth a visit.

 

[7]

On your return from the singing tree follow the path back to the car park and turn right past the 'life for life' park. Here you will find a picnic table with amazing views of the vale of Burnley.

 

[8]

Follow the life for life park fence until you reach the road. Directly across the road you will see a stile/gate. Go through the gate and follow the grass track downhill for approximately 300 meters. Here the path splits into two, take the right hand path heading down towards a small woodland copse.

[9]

When you reach the woodland area you will cross a small stream by a waterfall. Head on the grass path uphill over a broken wall. Follow to the top of the hill over another broken wall and you will find yourself on a bridle track. Now turn left and follow the bridle track.

 

[10]

On this track you will see great views of the reservoir and sailing club, follow this track for 1/2 mile until you reach a marker by the side of two trees and a tumbled down farm building. Turn left and follow the track for 300 meters. At the next junction turn right and follow the path to a field gate by the stone cross.

[11]

Turn left past the stone cross and follow the track down the hill for 1/2 mile until you reach an intersection with a finger post. Continue straight ahead following the direction of Lumb. At the 4 way crossing go straight ahead and follow the track downhill until you reach a farm road and another 4 way junction.

 

[12]

Turn left and follow the farm road for 500m until you find yourself back on Burnley road. Turn right and follow the road down the hill the way you came earlier. When you arrive back in the village of Water you will find there is a shop and a pub just by the turning to Dean road.

[13]

Turn left back up Dean lane and in 10 minutes you will find yourself back at Rossendale Holiday Cottages.