Helmshore, Musbury Valley and Tor

Walk leaders :  Malcolm C and John G

Grading of walk :  Moderate

Walk details :  We start this 5 mile walk by walking on a track up the secluded and beautiful Musbury valley below prominent Musbury Tor. There is then a steady pull up from the brook to join the Rossendale Way which runs on the moorland fringe, past some ruined farms, round the head of this remote valley with great views including distant Pendle Hill. The Way goes along the still visible ditch boundary of the Royal Deer Park created in 1305. We will stop for lunch somewhere up here. The route then takes us round the Tor before descending, briefly steep, but grassy, at one point to Helmshore.
The walk also features The Loom cafe/bar at he start as well as a noted traditional cosy real ale pub The Robin Hood Inn (with outdoor seating) at the end .

Risk assessment :  A risk assessment was carried out 29/07/2024. A summary of identified risks is below:

The walk is on tracks and footpaths but in several places these are quite uneven, at one brief point, little -used, and across tussocky grassland. Walking boots with good ankle support strongly recommended.
Some stiles (2 or 3), one a little challenging but safe. There is 1 cattle grid. There may be cattle and sheep at a few points on the walk but in general it is dog-friendly. One B road to cross and there might be farm vehicles on the track at the start of the walk.

Start time and meeting point :  Start at 12:00 midday.  Meet outside The Loom cafe/bar part of the large brick building, Park Mill home furnishings. It is opposite the Helmshore Mill museum Post code is BB4 4NP.

Directions to the start :   Use the M66 north which becomes the A56 after Ramsbottom. After the large Tesco store on the right, leave the A56 and take the B6232 towards Blackburn but for less than 1 mile before turning left onto the B6235 into Helmshore. The Robin Hood Inn is on your left shortly followed by The Textile Museum and car park.
If you are coming from Bury take the B6214 via Holcombe Brook and Holcombe village After a couple of miles as it drops down towards Helmshore keep straight on as it becomes the B6235 towards Blackburn . The museum and Park Mill is about 1 mile further on .

Parking:  Free parking at the spacious Helmshore Textile Mill museum, now re-opened. There is also plenty of on-road parking.

what/three/words :  ///chess.sleeper.kinds

Public transport :  There are no public transport options for this walk. Please consider car sharing and, if you are able, offering lifts to walkers without their own transport.

Contact number on the day : 

Booking : Book your walk here

Changes and cancellation :  Very occasionally, due to severe weather or another serious event, a walk may be cancelled. In these instances, a note will be added to the website at least TWO HOURS before the start time. So, do check the website before you set out, and if in doubt use the walk leader’s mobile contact number. Every effort will be made to contact you should a walk be cancelled.