The Forgotten Valley is an apt name for the lower reaches of the Cheesden Brook. Tumbled ruins with ancient wheel pits, mill lodges and a solitary chimney, all lie in a steep-sided valley hidden from the surrounding countryside. It seems amazing that this small stream once powered such a large number of mills. Cheesden Lumb, Croston Close, Deeply Hill and Washwheel mills are long gone, but the peace and quiet of the deserted valley is still there for us all to enjoy.
LOCATION: Four miles west of Rochdale
START: A680, layby opposite Owd Betts
Grid ref: SD831159 Postcode: OL127TY
DISTANCE: 5.5 (or 2) miles
GRADE: Moderate, some rough walking, can be muddy
TIME: 3 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - South Pennines & 277 Manchester & Salford Landranger 109
REFRESHMENTS: Owd Betts & layby refreshment van
EN ROUTE: Lumb
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News