Darwen Tower

Well, I thought I'd sneak in another post before the Scavenger Hunt on Sunday. One of the themes of our days out this summer has been climbing up hills, much to our surprise as it's really not something we make a point of doing! It was just pure coincidence that my list of places to visit all seemed to be at the top of hills. Today is no exception as our destination is Darwen Tower high up on Darwen moor. So I've spoiled the surprise by showing you the Tower right at the beginning, but here's how we got there.

Chickpea's boyfriend lives in the area so we collected him on our way. We parked at the Sunnyhurst Wood car park and set off up the public footpath opposite the pub and past the cottages.

The Tower is over there in the distance looking just like a space rocket getting ready for launch.

Looking back the way we've come, you can see how far up we've climbed.

Darwen Moor is part of the West Pennine Moors which I've shown you before on our walk up to Rivington Pike.

Lapwing

Right outside the Tower is a trig point which is the first I think I've ever seen or, more likely, the first one I've taken any notice of.

And behind us...

...the Tower!

It's also known as the Jubilee Tower as it was completed in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

It's 86 feet tall and, because it's rather breezy up here, the dome on top has blown off several times during its history: the current one dates from 2012.

There's a spiral stone staircase inside which takes you to the first, wider level, followed by a metal staircase to the very top.

To the south is open moorland and, in the distance, the television transmitters on Winter Hill (you can just make them out reaching up to the clouds on the bluey coloured hill).

Below, Sunnyhurst Hey reservoir which is being decommissioned and turned into a wetland area.

Now, we're looking back down the path we walked up, with Blackburn in the distance.

Continuing clockwise, the rooftops of Darwen with the 300-foot tall India Mill chimney in the middle.

If I zoom in, you can see it a little better. Built in 1867, It was apparently modelled on the style of a Venetian campanile (bell tower).

Back down on the ground a young Skylark.

And what I think are common-spotted orchids amongst the clover.

And patches of lovely cotton grass.

It was a perfect day if a bit hot for climbing hills. I'm not sure we'll be visiting the tower again but I'll be interested to see the reservoir when it's been converted to the wetland area.

And that concludes our days out in July, just as we reach the end of August! Next time it's the monthly scavenger hunt. Thank you for your comments on the Blackpool post - it was particularly interesting reading all your memories of visits there yourselves, good and bad! Enjoy your weekend. x