19/03 – Watergrove Reservoir

Watergrove Reservoir came to our attention when friend of The Fuse John Reed wrote a folk song about it. The building of the reservoir was a controversial project which involved submerging of Watergrove village. The ruins of the village can still be observed, especially during a drought. We’ll start the walk by heading around the reservoir and into the twitching zone. After passing the remains of the Watergrove Mill, the path will head up onto the Ramsden Road. On our way to the summit of the first hill we’ll pass Lower Slack Farm, Higher Slack Farm and the new wind farm. We’ll then loop around the hills, Rough Hill, Hades Hill, Middle Hill and possibly Brown Wardle Hill, before descend back to the reservoir. Finally we’ll circle the western half until we return to the car park.

http://www.visitrochdale.com/rochdale-all/where-to-go/watergrove-reservoir-p12901
http://www.abandonedcommunities.co.uk/rochdale3.html