The winds of Holcombe Moor

With winds forecast to be gusting up to 60kms per hour, we weren’t in a rush to head out and it was late morning by the time we were ready to brave the elements.  

We passed the Tilted Vase, a bronze sculpture that was built as a result of a 250,000 pound lottery grant, and drew its inspiration from the legacy of the Industrial Revolution.   

We then tackled the steep climb up to Holcombe Moor.  It was clear but, as expected, it was incredibly windy and we were glad that we had taken Georgie up on her offer to keep the beanies.  We took the 8km trail across the moor, passing remote farmhouses and sheep with expansive views north towards Rawtenstall and east towards the Scout Moor Wind Farm, the second largest onshore wind farm in England.

A large standing stone and cairn marked the spot where Ellen Strange was murdered in 1761, as she walked across the moor to her parents’ house following an argument with her husband.  Though arrested for her murder, the husband was acquitted due to a lack of evidence.  

After passing signs to the army training ground and noting that there were no red flags on display, we continued onto the Pilgrims Cross which existed at least as early as AD1176.  It is thought that pilgrims to Whaley Abbey prayed and rested here. Given the frequent inclement moor weather, these monuments would have been helpful navigation guides for pilgrims.  

By now the wind was fierce, and we were pleased to have it slightly at our backs as we approached Peel Tower built in 1852 in honour of Sir Robert Peel who introduced the first police force in London and later became Prime Minister.  We could see the skyscrapers of Manchester in the distance.  

It was a much fast trip back to the AirBnb and we were happy to have a quiet few hours in the warm house before having leftovers for dinner. 

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