Don't forget what's on your doorstep...
Sunnyhurst Woods lies in an 85acre valley in Darwen, Lancashire, and is the perfect location for a gentle family walk and picnic or a hike up to Darwen Tower. The main parking can be found off Earnsdale Road, BB3 1JX, which is signposted off the A666 that runs through Darwen. But we parked on the street as the car park can get busy.
With several miles of good sturdy paths in this gorgeous setting, it is easy to wind away the hours exploring this natural, wooded valley. Due to having a few lasting effects of Covid and plantar fasciitis, my family and I only managed around 2 miles round trip, though it is my mission to get to the tower from this route. I have walked to the tower before from Tockholes, you can find my blog on this here.
The following photos are from 2 visits one on June 2021 and then March 22 showing what the woods are like in the summer and winter months.
As we parked on Earnsdale Road, we were on the "flatter" entrance with paths that are suitable for wheelchairs but there are still inclines so would advise caution. This path takes us alongside Sunnyhurst brook which eventually brings us to the visitors center. This visitor center looks like a picturesque country cottage. Though I have yet to go into it this is where you can get maps of the trails (note to self MUST visit!).
Alongside the visitors center is The Olde England Kiosk which is a grade II listed building. The website boasts "Established in 1912 this historic venue has a truly unique feel and its dramatic natural surroundings are perfect for beautiful photos."
This historic venue has been a popular spot for weddings since 1920 with many perfect photo opportunities for the perfect day with the brook, waterfalls, and ornate bridges. I would love to do a photoshoot here one day.
The kiosk was originally built as a tearoom in 1912 to mark the accession and coronation of King George V. The stream outside the kiosk was widened and deepened at the same time, to make a more ‘ornamental’ waterway, described in the 1920s as a ‘moat’ with a stone bridge at each end (Grade II) and a weir to create a low waterfall.
Carrying on, the path leads to, a little steeply, the paddling pool which was added no long after the park was opened in 1903. There are some cute little bridges at either end of the pool that leads to the waterfall and onto the kiosk.
There are plenty of exploring opportunities for adventurous kids.
Continuing our meandering, and a quarter of a mile later we reach the bandstand, also known as The Greenway Shelter. I found an article on Flickr that tells us that shelter was built in 1912. The structure has eight solid stone pillars, and a stone slate roof was used for the popular Café Chantante entertainments in the years around the First World War. The slope immediately south of the shelter was remodeled with a semi-circular stone ‘plinth’ which could be used for seating as a bandstand, looking across the wide flat clearing where the concerts and entertainments were held.
On our latest visit, it was being used for a children's party so the following photos are from my visit in June even though was it summer it was quiet due to us being in lockdown.
The next part of the trail features a 2-mile long nature trail featuring a series of wooden sculptures of animals native to the area. I have shown the heron but did notice a squirrel and an owl too.
With that, we headed back. This was quite an enjoyable walk which we do continue to do many times. I will keep you posted if I make it up to the tower.......
As always, thanks for reading.
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