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Promontory fort called Castlesteads on the east bank of the Irwell 550m SSE of Banks Farm

1 ha

📷 Bill Boaden · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsForaging
Free entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

53.61305, -2.30842

Open directionsv
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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • 🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
  • ⛺Camping available here — summer nights at this site are worth planning around

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CampsiteParking

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow +70 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow +70 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Plants — Common Bistort, Common Nettle, Elder +16 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Plants — Giant Hogweed, Common Bistort, Himalayan Balsam +107 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Giant Hogweed, Common Bistort, Himalayan Balsam +107 more · last seen 2026

Free

Mushroom foraging

Fungi — Oak Crust, Turkeytail, Vuilleminia coryli +5 more · last seen 2025; Fungi — Oak Crust, Turkeytail, Vuilleminia coryli +5 more · last seen 2025

Varies

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

5 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Irwell Sculpture TrailWalking route
Named routeRegional walking route
Rochdale WayWalking route
Named routeRef RochRegional walking route
Rossendale WayWalking route

A high-level route around Bacup, Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Whitworth in the Rossendale Valley, crossing the open moors and farmland of the South Pennines which roughly follows the Rossendale Borough boundary.

Named routeRegional walking route
GM Ringway Stage 12Walking route21.1 km

GM Ringway Stage 12 - Norden to Bury

Named routeLength 21.1 kmRegional walking route
GM Ringway Stage 13Walking route18 km

GM Ringway Stage 13 - Bury to Bromley Cross

Named routeLength 18 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

75 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Bradley Fold CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Harry Hill CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 6Cycling route
Named routeRef 6National Cycle Network
Lancashire Cycleway (Southern Loop)Cycling route
Named routeRef 91Regional cycle route
Roch Valley GreenwayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Bury to Bolton CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Goit and weir on the Irwell

📷 Bill Boaden · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Goit and weir on the Irwell

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Clarence ParkUrban park1.7 km→🌱The Top GreenUrban park1.5 km→🌱Clarence ParkUrban park1.7 km→🌱Burrs Country ParkUrban park400 m→🌱Elton ValeUrban park2.6 km→🌱Hoyles ParkUrban park2.6 km→

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