Liverpool & Lancashire

Stubbins Estate Circular Walk

A two-mile circular route that gives you everything, from magnificent views, woodland, riverside rambling, and heritage. Pass through Buckden Wood filled with a variety of precious tree and flower species. This trail is a perfect adventure for the whole family. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead during nesting season (1 March and 31 July) and near livestock.

Near to

Holcombe Moor and Stubbins Estate

Start point

Stubbins Vale Road, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0NS.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)

Duration1 hour 60 mins

Dog friendly**

*Expect uneven, rocky and muddy terrain along this trail with some steeper areas.
**Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead during nesting season (1 March and 31 July) and near livestock

Dogs
Dogs are welcome, but must be on a lead during nesting season (1 March and 31 July) and near livestock.
Electric vehicle charging point
The nearest electric charging point is at Esso EG (Euro Garages) Ramsbottom and in the car park situated next to Irwell Works Brewery.
Café
Helmshore has the village café.
Pub
There are many shops and cafes in Ramsbottom and at Holcombe Brook there is a pub Hare and Hounds, café, and other shops. At the top of the road climbing out of Ramsbottom there is the Shoulder of Mutton pub, which is not far from where you turned off the road at the start of the walk.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Stubbins Vale Road, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0NS.
Stage 1
Head south on Stubbins Vale Road, turning right onto Stubbins Street. Climb the hill keeping the mill to your left (behind the green metal railings) and onto the cobbled path.
Stage 2
At the bottom of Red Lees pasture, take a sharp right through a wooden pedestrian gate and continue through the wood, passing Higher Stubbins farmhouse on your right. Continue on a farm track leading up to a five-bar gate.
Higher Stubbins | © Oliver Smith
Stage 3
From five-bar gate, continue following the farm track for 250m until you reach Helmshore Road, passing Lower Red Lees farm on your right.
Stage 4
Turn right (north) onto Helmshore Road for 700m until you reach Buckden Wood.
Helmshore Road looking north | © Oliver Smith
Stage 5
Turn right and descend into Buckden Wood, following the path for around 650m until you see a wooden bridge with handrails.
Buckden Wood
A large amount of conservation work is carried out by the National Trust team at Buckden Wood. A vital natural asset, it’s important we manage these woodlands to allow them to flourish and protect biodiversity. As well as being essential to many species, they also play an important role in securing carbon and help prevent flooding. Thinning parts of the woodland allows us to open up areas of closed canopy woodland enabling better development of ground flora and the natural regeneration of native trees. Halo felling of small trees from around old oaks and alder allows them to grow old naturally providing a rare and valuable habitat. Trees affected by factors such as a fungal disease, could present a risk to health and safety and are therefore pruned or felled if dying to make them safe. Where they do not pose a risk to safety, they will be retained adding to the woodland’s deadwood resource. The right management allows us to keep the woodlands diverse and full of life for people and wildlife to enjoy.
Stage 6
At the bridge veer south for 250m until you reach a metal gate and National Trust omega sign.
Buckden Footbridge | © Oliver Smith
Stage 7
Pass the gate and walk 100m towards Tentering Tower (visible in sight).
Tentering Tower
Stubbins Vale Mill was built in 1851 and was a manufacturing plant that produced woollen cloth. Soon after in 1866 Tentering Tower was constructed. Tentering is the process of stretching newly made cloth and letting it dry out, preventing the cloth from shrinking as it dries and reducing creasing. Originally the cloth was dried in the open air, however this way it was at the mercy of the weather. The Tentering Tower was a more protected space, away from the outside elements.
Tentering Tower entrance | © Oliver Smith
Stage 8
Turn left at Tentering Tower, dropping down to the track below and follow this track right into the old Stubbins Hamlet, and back onto Stubbins Street where you started your walk.
Tentering Tower | © Oliver Smith
End point
Stubbins Vale Road, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0NS.
Trail map
Stubbins Estate circular | © OS 287 West Pennine Moors
You made it
Share your experience

Chatterton Close, Bury, BL8 4NZ

01706825937

stubbins@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Stubbins Estate Circular Walk

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