ROCKHAVEN Castle used to be one of the most impressive features of the Horwich landscape.

It was behind Brinks Row and Brinks Wood and was developed by Richard Brownlow who moved in during 1840.

Peter says he believes that Richard Brownlow had a facial disfigurement and as a result of this would wear a mask to hide his face.

During the 1880s Brownlow added parapets to the building.

This was the reason that Rock Haven, as it was known at the time, became known as Rockhaven castle — simply put it looked like a castle.

Many people also referred to the castle as Torney Brownlow’s as Richard Brownlow was an attorney of law who had offices in Bolton.

Brownlow was born in the Manor house at Wilderswood in 1841 and owned a considerable amount of land and properties in Horwich.

He was keen on horses and founded the Horwich races which were first held at Wilderswood in the fields below the Manor house — once Blackrod reservoir before being filled in.

In later life Brownlow became a virtual recluse.

He died in 1899 at the age of 85. Following his death Lord Leverhulme bought Rockhaven Castle.

One of the tenants in the early 1900s was Mr Hignett a local antique dealer who had premises in the Prince’s Arcade in Horwich. Mr Hignett opened up the glass conservatory on the castle as a public tea-room.

It was after this that Peter’s family moved into this fascinating building.

His grandfather and grandmother, James Harrison and Lydia Martha Morgan lived there with their seven children including Peter’s mother, Ellen.

Ellen and her siblings would have enjoyed an idyllic childhood living on the moors.

“But it would have been hard work getting to school and going shopping,” says 72-year-old Peter.

The family farmed the land around Rockhaven Castle but in around 1929 left and moved away “probably because my grandfather got too old to farm,” says Peter.

They moved to Crowther Fold in Horwich where James died on March 14, 1942.

Peter never knew his grandfather but has been researching the family and the connections to and with Rockhaven Castle.

The building was demolished in 1942 and only a gate post remains.

But local people still talk about the building.

n Do you have any information about the house?

If so get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk