Although the literary Bronte family lived in Haworth in Yorkshire, it was not uncommon for the siblings to walk over the Pennine moors to the secluded hamlet of Wycoller
in Lancashire. As Sunday promised some rare dry weather ,we headed to the village of Trawden for a Circular Walk that takes in some of the rugged Pendle countryside that may have inspired their writings.
The walk starts from the Trawden Arms in the village,so we found some roadside parking nearby. We then made our way up some old tram tracks to the right of the pub, crossed a main road and then followed a route through many boggy fields, moorland and woodland. It was very wet under foot, but there was lots to see. We passed several farms and smallholdings around Trawden, home to various pets and livestock.
We followed Trawden Brook up to Lumb Spout , once a popular Victorian beauty spot.
The route then follows the Pennine National Bridleway Trail over moorland for a way. I saw a couple of stonechat but didn’t manage to get a photo. The skies were big and the ground was sodden.
Eventually we found outselves off the rugged moors and entering the serene Wycoller Country Park with its greenery, woodland, winding brook and stone bridges.
Wycoller is a former handloom weaving settlement, the villagers took their cloth to the drying ground above Wycoller Hall. Folk moved away to find jobs after the introduction of the powerloom in Lancashire’s industrial towns.
The Bronte sisters visited Wycoller and it is said that in Charlotte’s novel Jane Eyre , the hall was her inspiration for Ferndean Manor where Mr Rochester lived.
We ate our sandwiches here and set off to continue our walk back to Trawden, totally forgetting to go and see The Atom Panopticon sculpture which is a short stroll away. Oh well, a reason to return!
All in all this walk was about six miles long, though at quite a slow pace because of all the mud. Unlike the Bronte sisters we didn’t need to wander the soggy terrain in long gowns and petticoats! I wonder if any of the siblings ever did catch a glimpse of Pendle Hill ? It would be nice to think so….
X
sunshine and celandines 
Ewe really know how to caption your sheep pics! 🐏
Thank Ewe! 😁
You certainly saw plenty of animals on this walk – the Wycollar moggie looks a bit grumpy though 🙂 Great photos, I like the Pendle Hill view and the shot of Wycollar Hall above the moggie 🙂
I’d be interested in your opinion of the Atom if you ever get to it. To be honest I think it looks ugly and I certainly wouldn’t drive all that way purposely to see it, plus some of the Tripadvisor reviews don’t rate it much 😦
I will let you know if I ever get to see it. Does it need a spruce up like Colour fields in Blackburn? X
Apparently it’s been vandalised and the bit in the centre which ‘made’ the sculpture is no longer there so it’s just an egg-shaped concrete construction with holes in the side, also according to some people it’s full of graffiti and stinks of pee 😦 😦 Personally I don’t see the point of going inside to look at the views through a hole when you can see the views from outside anyway. I suppose a photo of the general view with the Atom in one corner might be okay. I still have to get to the Halo yet, the Atom was going to complete the four but after reading the reviews I won’t be bothering 😦
I liked the Halo. Only seen it in the daytime, never at night when it is lit up apparently. As for the atom, I would definitely hunt it out if we go to Wycoller again, just for curiosity value. X
Looks like an interesting place to ramble, I love the ruins and the stone clapper bridge. I’m reading a mystery featuring the Brontes as detectives at the moment, it’s a lot of fun. X
Sounds interesting! X
Classic walk in perfect weather. Well done.
I once slept in the ‘fireplace’ of Wycoller Hall, unaware of the ghost stories surrounding the hall.
The Bronte Way comes through here… https://bowlandclimber.com/2018/06/10/the-bronte-way-two/
Looks like I’ve liked that post of yours, think you have been everywhere in Lancashire now. 🙂
The fireplace is certainly big enough to sleep in!
My home stomping grounds, you certainly took the muddy way round 🙂 is a good walk and one of my favourite 🙂
Ah yes, it’s a lovely area. 🙂
You are not impressing that moggie at all! You seem to be specialising in muddy walks at the moment.
I think the moggie was sat by the brook away from all the walkers. Must have interrupted his reverie. X
Those sheep look like they’ve been vandalised.
Haha, yeh they do a bit!
The house looks just as I imagined it- would love to see more pictures of it….
I should have taken more pictures. Soz Cathy!X
I love Wycoller. So glad I managed to make a trip earlier this year. Great photos x
Thanks, it’s a very pretty place. X
Lovely walk Sharon & although we’ve been to both Haworth & Trawden, we’ve not managed to get to Wycoller & just maybe one day if we are able to ever travel again. Love the donkeys & Hugo lying exhausted among the leaves. Take care, stay safe & huggles.
Lovely read, and sounds like a great walk. Look forward to your next walk. 🙂 x
Thanks Christine. Think we are staying at home this weekend so I might have a mooch round the castle with my camera. Hey you must be glad you are in tier 2 now, lucky you, and well deserved.X
Looks like such a nice walk!!
It was , apart from the squelchy mud. X
Looks like a walk to add to the never ending list 😊I used to go up to Colne very regularly at one time with work. Always thought I should go up to take a look at Wycoller but not found the time. Certainly looks like an interesting village
It is, and very photogenic. I think you would like it. 🙂
As horizons are limited at the moment I’ve been watching some videos of walks on YouTube. I saw one a few days of a walk up Lad Law from Trawden. Definitely bears out your comment.
How did I miss this post? Brilliant! Home of some of my ancestors! Oh Sharon, I wish I could relocate! 🙋♂️
We definitely have our good areas but also quite rough areas here in Lancashire. The countryside is usually good though. X
Next time you’re in Wycoller look out for a derelict building that was used more recently as a pig-sty! Long before that it was the blacksmiths home!
Ok, will do!! X