HURSTWOOD is a secluded hamlet on the edge of Lancashire. A pretty collection of 16th century stone cottages hidden in a little valley below an old packhorse road.

The Gorple Road was the main artery for the woollen trade between industrial East Lancashire and the Calder Valley of Yorkshire in the days before railways and canals. It climbs high over the Pennines on a lonely route from the village of Worsthorne to the farmsteads above Hebden Bridge.

Worsthorne is the start of this walk, a community on the eastern edge of Lancashire, and the route starts along the old Gorple Road before dropping down to Hurstwood Reservoir and Hurstwood which is dominated by a chapel and gabled Hurstwood Hall, built by the Towneley family.

Hurstwood was also the childhood home of the renowned Elizabethan poet Edmund Spenser and the cottage where he spent part of his youth survives.

The route is a combination of moorland tracks and field paths though no great climbs are involved.

There is a picnic area at Hurstwood Reservoir and refreshments are available in Worsthorne where there are pubs on either side of the village green.

DISTANCE: 3 miles (allow 1-2 hours)

START: Worsthorne village centre (OS Grid Ref. 875325). Worsthorne village is situated on quiet back lanes 2 miles directly east of Burnley. From Burnley town centre follow the road uphill from Turf Moor and signs lead to the village. Some roadside parking is available alongside the church of St. John near the village green.

Follow these route directions in conjunction with the relevant OS Explorer Sheet (OL South Pennines)

FACING the church of St John the Evangelist by the Crooked Billet pub and the village green, walk along Gorple Road which begins on the left hand side of the church. Follow this lane uphill, it climbs past cottages and becomes a stony bridle road following a straight course eastwards to the moors. It is followed for about one mile before it reaches a gate and provides fine views back across Lancashire. Continue past the gate for a further 1/3 mile and the road veers slightly left around a hillside as the valley leading down to Hurstwood Reservoir is revealed on the right. Look out for a distinct path coming up this valley, the way is indicated by a waymarker post on your right. Leave the main track here and turn right to follow the path down the valley of Hurstwood Brook which heads directly for the reservoir below.

The path soon crosses the brook and then follows it along its left-hand side down to the reservoir inlet. Keep the reservoir on your immediate right and follow the main track down to the dam at the opposite end. Go through the gateway on the left-hand side of the dam and follow the reservoir access road down through a small woodland plantation. Pass a pumping station on the left and cross a stile to enter a picnic area and car park. Follow the main track swinging right and cross a stone bridge over the brook to enter the finely preserved hamlet of Hurstwood.

Continue the walk by turning left at the bridge and following the road which swings right uphill past houses. Look out for the footpath signpost soon reached on the right hand side of the road and join this path. Keep to the wall side and follow the well-used field path heading towards Worsthorne church below. Several stiles are crossed before the path reaches a kissing gate behind some houses. Go through this and follow the paved route which soon runs behind the village church. Turn left when the road is reached to return to the village green.

COUNTRYSIDE CLIPPINGS

Fancy walking on the Isle of Anglesey? Two sets of informative walks leaflets are available which highlight circular walks named after Celtic saints and heritage walks based around historic villages. For more information phone 01248 752450 or check out the "Menter Mon" website on www.mentermon.com