19/03 – Watergrove Reservoir

Watergrove Reservoir came to our attention when friend of The Fuse John Reed wrote a folk song about it. The building of the reservoir was a controversial project which involved submerging of Watergrove village. The ruins of the village can still be observed, especially during a drought. We’ll start the walk by heading around the reservoir and into the twitching zone. After passing the remains of the Watergrove Mill, the path will head up onto the Ramsden Road. On our way to the summit of the first hill we’ll pass Lower Slack Farm, Higher Slack Farm and the new wind farm. We’ll then loop around the hills, Rough Hill, Hades Hill, Middle Hill and possibly Brown Wardle Hill, before descend back to the reservoir. Finally we’ll circle the western half until we return to the car park.

http://www.visitrochdale.com/rochdale-all/where-to-go/watergrove-reservoir-p12901
http://www.abandonedcommunities.co.uk/rochdale3.html

Walk Date
19 Mar 2017
Calendar File
Distance
7.5 miles
Ascent
447 metres
OS Maps

The Plan

- 10:30 : Meet in the Watergrove Reservoir car park
- 10:45 : Start Walk around the reservoir
- 11:15 : Ascend Ramsden Road
- 12:30 - 13:15 : Lunch
- 14:15 : Optional climb up Brown Wardle Hill
- 15:00 : Finish Walk

* All times a rough guestimates apart from the initial arrival at the car park

The Kit

- Clothes suitable for the conditions
- Waterproof coat
- Suncream
- Walking boots
- Rucksack (to carry stuff)
- Lunch
- Water (at least 1L each)
- CAMERA

- A good attitude