Gawthorpe Hall Circular Walk
This circular walk takes you through the historic parkland of Gawthorpe Hall. You'll travel along the Bronte Way, past the ancient woodland of Hagg Wood and onto the low-level walk beside the River Calder. From here it's onto the Burnley Way which takes you through Grove Lane Plantation - the pathway in which used to be the track of an old coal ginny tramway that brought coal from the pit at Habergham Colliery across the valley to Padiham.
Near to
Gawthorpe HallStart point
Gawthorpe Hall, near Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 8UA (Satnav BB12 8SD)Trail information
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Gawthorpe Hall, near Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 8UA (Satnav BB12 8SD)
Stage 1
Leave Gawthorpe Hall at the west side by the field type gate. Follow the track up Habergham Drive leading to Burnley Road at Habergham Eaves, Habergham Lodge (privately owned) and All Saints Church.
Stage 2
After passing through the woodland, you will arrive at Habergham Lodge.
Stage 3
At the end of Habergham Drive, turn right and walk 150 yards until you reach All Saints Church on your right.
Stage 4
Turnaround and go back up Burnley Road, with Habergham Drive on your left and turn left past Habergham lodge. You will see an old public drinking fountain set into the wall approximately 15m past Habergham lodge. Dated 1859, it has the initials name Gawthorpe and initials KS (Kay-Shuttleworth). Take care on this busy road. Walk approximately 50m then turn left onto the Bronte Way. At High Close Farm (Top o’ th’ Close) turn right through the farm then left behind the barn. At the gate, take the track to the left of the electricity pylon. Follow the path through stiles to point 5 and Ightenhill Park Lane.
Stage 5
Here you meet Ightenhill Park Lane. Turn left past the cottages, continuing down the lane and the Bronte Way for approximately 600m to point 6. Hagg Wood will be on your left.
Stage 6
You are now at Hagg Wood. Take a small detour into the wood with a circular footpath around.
Stage 7
Cross the bridge, turning left to walk alongside the river Calder onto the Burnley Way. Follow this tarmac track for approximately 1km this takes you to Brookfoot Farm and bridge continue 200m to point 8.
Stage 8
To your left you will see an open viewing area. Walk down the track for 100m and enjoy a glimpse of Gawthorpe Hall over the playing fields on the far bank. Turn around here and retrace your steps back to the track. Continue along the track to point 9.
Stage 9
Entering Grove Lane Plantation, continue on the track for another 200m.
Stage 10
At the end of the track, you will pass a small stone sculpture before you reach the Heron Sculpture carved by Martin Heron in 2000. Continue about 350m over a footbridge following the woodland path to the Forest of Burnley panel.
Stage 11
Exit the wood through a stile onto a small car park. Follow the path to the left with the old demolished factory works fence line on your right. Follow for about 500m then turn right so that the riverbank is now on your left. Continue to follow the river and factory fence line until you reach the footbridge at point 12.
Stage 12
Cross the footbridge and take the immediate left turn onto a path that leads you into the woods. Continue with the riverbank on your left and follow the path up the hill into the woods with residential housing garden fences on your right. Continue on this path until you reach Stockbridge Drive and returning past the car park to Gawthorpe Hall, where you began.
End point
Car park at Gawthorpe Hall
Trail map
OS Explorer OL21 | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
Get in touch
Burnley Road, Padiham, near Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 8UA