can be found here about the Fylde coast.
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:
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 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.
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:
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| 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! |
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| 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! |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| NOTHING IS KNOWN OF THE REMOVAL OF THE ANCIENT CROSS BUT ITS MASSIVE SOCKETTED FOUNDATION STONE REMAINED HERE UNTIL AUGUST 1901 |
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| THIS MEMORIAL STONE WAS PLACED HERE MAY 24TH 1902 BY THE COPYHOLDERS OF THE MANOR AND OTHERS |
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| The stone is on the edge of the Army's firing Range. The path cuts across it! |
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| Looking back from the Cross. Bull Hill is up to the right. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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.
