Jumbles Reservoir

After our walk around Calf hey Reservoir last week, we came across a board with a map of the West Pennine Moors which incorporates 90 square miles of uplands, valleys, farmland and reservoirs. Having noticed that none are really that far from me, I decided that I shall challenge myself (and my family) to get as many of them ticked off as possible.

The moorland includes Withnell, Anglezarke and Rivington moors in the extreme west, Darwen and Turton Moors, Oswaldtwistle Moors and Holcombe Moors. At 1,496 feet (456 m), the highest point is at Winter Hill.

I had heard, though never been, of Jumbles reservoir before and so thought we'd start with that one.

A map of the West Pennine Moors

Jumbles Country Park was opened in 1971 by Queen Elizabeth II on completion of the reservoir. Situated north of Bolton, it is an ideal location to spend some time outdoors with the family. There is a good size carpark, BL2 4JS, though probably not big enough due to how popular the walk is. The car park is a pay and display though the machine was covered up when we went. It is good to know that the car park isn't open until half 10 (or so the signs say). There is also toilets at the car park entrance. We decided to go anti clockwise around the reservoir and walk past the cafe/information center.

The paths most of the way round are well maintained though hilly in places. Although the untied utilities website states that it is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and it is for the most part but not the full circuit, you would have to turn back on yourself and go back the way you came.

Map of the walking route

From the information center we followed the path down. we took our time as myself and my boy stopped often to admire the views and take pictures. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables for you rest up, have lunch or just to admire the views.

We quickly came across a bridge which we crossed over. There is plenty of walks through the trees just off to the right if you fancy getting off the beaten track.

Again we just followed the path round the reservoir until we came to another bridge. From here there were other paths that you could have followed which I believes leads to Turton Tower. Turton Tower is a manor house in Chapeltown in North Turton, It is a scheduled ancient monument and a grade I listed building. It was built in the late Middle Ages as a two-storey stone pele tower which was altered and enlarged mainly in late 16th century. We didn't attempt this this time as we were content going round the reservoir. So we crossed the bridge and turned left to follow the shore line.

The view from the second bridge

This path then leads through the Horrobin Village which looks like we are going through someone's drive but it is the right direction. We then to carried on following the path until we came to the sailing club which was across a small footbridge. The paths here getting narrow and the start to be more uneven but still suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair though there are barriers that have been put in place which I assume is to stop motorbikes etc using the paths. It then looks like we have lost the reservoir as we walk on road with houses on the left and fields to the right. At this point I was a little concerned that we had gone wrong somewhere but we carried on and soon came across the sign post that lead us through Ousel Nest meadows. This is the section that I believe isn't suitable for wheelchairs, as the pictures show the paths are uneven and bumpy in places with a steep decline which leads to a steep incline with steps once you cross the yet another bridge that leads to back to the carpark.

This walk took us around 2 hours but can be done in less time as we were taking our time exploring and taking pictures. We didn't stop at the car park we went back to the cafe, Jumbles cafe and had lunch and some gorgeous cake which I highly recommended.

As always, thank you for reading.

If you would like to read any of my other blogs I've already on my walks from the West Pennine Moors please click Calf Hey Res, Darwen Tower and Entwistle Res.