Edenfield, Stubbins and Irwell Vale

Like other villages in Rossendale, Edenfield, Stubbins and Irwell Vale have been shaped by their industrial past; in fact there’s still an active quarry at Edenfield.

Scout Moor and the largest on shore wind farm in England dominate the local landscape. At Edenfield there’s a really pretty walk at Dearden Clough and Plunge Mill ruins; head up Michael Wife Lane, off the A680, sign-posted Rochdale. If you are feeling really energetic you could walk up to the Scout Moor wind farm and Waugh’s Well. There’s a fairly clear route up to the wind farm from the former Owd Betts pub on the A680. Waugh’s Well is a hillside memorial to Lancashire dialect writer and poet Edwin Waugh.

The Fishermans Retreat at Shuttleworth, the recently awarded Taste Lancashire highest quality is a popular eatery has also been awarded ‘Whisky Pub of the Year 2010’.  This is the perfect location for a great lunch time or evening dining experience or check out their diary for up and coming planned foodie events.

Edenfield is often referred to as ‘God’s golden acre’ by the locals, this picturesque quaint village has everything, The Bizzy Plaice is anotherTaste Lancashire highest quality restaurant where they only serve ‘fresh’ fish delivered daily from Fleetwood and real chips! Hidden behind real stone cottages you will find a cricket ground who hosts a variety of family friendly events and garden fetes.

At stubbins you will discover a cycleway that runs along the old railway lines and pleasant riverside walks to the hamlet of Strongstry and the village of Irwell Vale. There’s national trust land at Stubbins which takes you up onto Holcombe Moor where Peel Tower stands perched on the hill top.

Irwell Vale is a typical Lancashire mill village in a designated Conservation Area with fine examples of stone-terraced, mill cottages at Bowker Street, a real oasis. The East Lancashire Steam Railway has a halt at Irwell Vale and it’s worth breaking your journey at this point to see this pretty little village set on the Rivers Ogden and Irwell. There’s a really innovative soap-making business located at Irwell Vale. You can make on-line purchases of beautifully gift wrapped organic soaps and skin care products from Essentially Natural.

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