The Strange Affair could be another Sherlock Holmes mystery. Indeed there is controversy about the 1761 murder of Ellen Strange on the moors above Irwell Vale. Legend recounts she was attacked by her boyfriend, but the real murderer was probably her husband, while the sculpted memorial is modern.
LOCATION: Six miles north of Bury
START: Irwell Vale Station. Turn off B6527 at Ewood Bridge
Grid ref: SD793202 Postcode: BL0 0QF
DISTANCE: 5.5 miles
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 3 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - South Pennines Landranger 103 & 109
REFRESHMENTS: Pack a flask
EN ROUTE: Sunnybank, River Irwell, Rossendale Way, Sculpture Trail
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News