Pilgrims' Cross

I came here frequently in my childhood, I have been here with 2 of my 4 children, now grown. But most of all with my Grandma Jane - she figures elsewhere in the family story.  I certainly visited with Dad, although I cannot remember him actually getting here, but sunbathing on Harcle Hill. There was a pole stuck in the top in the 60's as I recall. There is a farm below Harcle which was owned by a vet we knew, she kept white rats, so we had a break there.

My Grandma thought it was the end of the Earth, I think and she sort of persuaded me to go no further - I did, frequently, sometimes with my dog - but often on my own - even as far as the Grane and beyond. Fifteen hour days! I also had more pace - perhaps 40 mile days. I occasionally met my "Old" friend Hamish up here and we climbed a lot of the grit that is here, generally unroped but occasionally roped. - I learned much hill craft from him. Pilgrims Cross is the second Cross on the Two Crosses challenge walk organised by the LDWA. The first cross is at Affetside. More information can be found here together with pictures. A search in the blog will give you more Affetside information.

The Photos and the transcriptions:

The moors are wonderful - full of wildlife.
In winter they have a savage beauty.
Not to be taken lightly without proper kit.
The 2 Crosses was the first or second Saturday in January.
Today was like spring!
I am not even  sure which way this photo is pointing!
I used to live here!

This is coming from the Haslingdon, Bull Hill direction
The little lump on the skyline is the top of Peel Tower!
About a mile away!

IN AD 1176
AND IN AD 1223
THE PILGRIMS CROSS
IS NAMED IN CHARTERS
OF GIFTS OF LAND IN
HOLCOMBE FOREST
IN AD 1662
KING CHARLES II GAVE
THIS MANOR TO GENERAL
MONK DUKE OF ALBERMARLE
THROUGH WHOM IT HAS
DESCENDED TO THE
PRESENT LORD OF THE
MANOR

ON THIS SITE
STOOD THE ANCIENT
PILGRIMS' CROSS
IT WAS EXISTING IN
AD 1176
AND PROBABLY MUCH
EARLIER.
PILGRIMS TO WHALLEY
ABBEY PRAYED AND
RESTED HERE

NOTHING
IS KNOWN OF THE
REMOVAL OF THE
ANCIENT CROSS
BUT ITS MASSIVE
SOCKETTED FOUNDATION
STONE REMAINED HERE
UNTIL AUGUST
1901

THIS
MEMORIAL STONE
WAS PLACED HERE
MAY 24TH 1902
BY THE COPYHOLDERS
OF THE MANOR
AND OTHERS

This reference describes the erection of this cross. Normally I would have copied and pasted in the article but here is the link. I have saved the page in case it disappears.

The stone is on the edge of the Army's firing Range.
The path cuts across it!

Looking back from the Cross. Bull Hill is up
to the right.

The opposite direction. Harcle Hill is to the left.
The path to Peel Tower goes over this.
Slightly shorter if you just skirt to the right.

Coming off Harcle. This is thick deep bog.
Very difficult to run over.
Can easily suck your trainers off!
Hard in Winter - Boggy at every other time of the year.

Well marked path to Peel Tower.
There is quite a deep cutting at the bottom.
Possible to find a good place to get over though.
This is quite hard going especially at the 20 mile mark!
Quite a lot of people here today.
We are very close to Ramsbottom, which is down to the left.

The walk goes past the tower and straight on down the other side. Descends to Greenmount, through Reddisher Woods and on through the golf course past the Bull and along the old railway track to Tottington.