Tramway to Burnt Edge
A cold wind blew across Winter Hill, a hard edge to the wind. A thin layer of snow lay in some exposed hollows, but mostly it was mud along the track from Walkers Fold to Burnt Edge.
I’ve walked along here many times, but only recently had it pointed out to me that the twin line of slabs formed part of the tramway from Burnt Edge Collery to the Little Bolton and Nightingale Turnpike. According to the old OS maps this was built after 1847. The mine closed in 1890’s, so the track is now the start of a good historic route up Winter Hill or across to Rivington.
This area was recently acquired by the Woodland Trust and they are about to build a car park and visitors centre at the start of this old track. The woods to the right are a well established mixed wood, around Dean Brook, which flows down Barrow Bridge to the back of my house. I have found bushcraft shelters and fires in these woods, a bit of a damp spot though. I wonder what changes the new access will bring to this area.
I’ll take some more photos in the spring, when the hedges and fields are green.
Antondotreks 
Wow Tony you know all the best places.
Thanks Nas. Just trying to explore more you know!
Interesting area on you doorstep. We ventured there a couple of years ago and I took a similar picture of that tramway – https://bowlandclimber.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/pikes-and-pits/ – always keen to learn the local history.
A good walk you put together there. Had a fascinating talk at local History Society on the archaeology of the moors. So lots more to blog on soon.
Hi Tony,
Look forward to seeing some more photos when you’re up there – keep an eye out for Bog Beacon fungus in the wetter ditches. It’s perfect habitat up there within the woodland but we haven’t found it yet. It can be seen from March, peeking in May/June and disappears come September.