The Wycoller Panopticon Walk by Peter Short

You can see 'Atom' from a long way off, whether you are approaching Wycoller Country Park from Colne, or walking over the hill from Trawden.

Nestling on the edge of a grassy knoll, which juts out from the side of the Haworth Road Car Park, high above the valley floor, this modernistic structure – representing a molecule – bears some resemblance to a sea-worn pebble, but with the strange inclusion of rounded apertures, from which atoms have supposedly tumbled to their fate in the peaty waters of Wycoller Beck far below. 

If the sun is shining from the south, there is just a chance that you will catch a glint of reflected light from one of the four round openings in the sides of the ferro-concrete Panopticon. This may be the first hint a visitor gets that there is more to this artwork than first meets the eye. Closer inspection reveals a large stainless steel sphere in the centre of what proves to be an otherwise empty room. This represents the last remaining atom in this particular molecule. One has only to look out from any of the openings – or view them in miniature on the surface of the steel ball – to appreciate the panoptical qualities of Peter Meacock's design. As the word 'panoptical' implies, you really do see everything!

After parking, walk towards the south-east corner of the Haworth Road Car Park to take the short meandering path downhill to the large entrance in the side of 'Atom' (or ‘Atom!!!!’ as Peter Meacock now prefers to call it). Looking through the first aperture on the left, you will see a view eastwards towards Foster's Leap Rock and the farm dwellings of Parson Lee, Dene House and distant Brink Ends, while in the foreground ancient vaccary walling still clings tenaciously to the steep valley side as it has done for centuries.

Moving on to the next opening or window, the isolated farmhouse of Raven's Rock is seen perched on the highest point on the opposite side of the valley, with Copy House Farm hugging the slope below it. To the left of Copy House there is a plantation with the ruin of Bank House Farm at the east end and the massive bulk of Boulsworth Hill beyond.

The third viewing window allows one to see the U-shaped plantation which takes its name from Raven's Rock close by. On a clear day you can make out the upright line of Walton's Cross at the summit of the small rounded hill on the skyline behind. The cross is similar to the one in Colne Market. The spire on top of the cross was only put there in 1835 by the Reverend Walton, who obviously appreciated the fantastic panoramic views to be obtained from that particular spot. 

I expect that for many the best panorama has been saved till last, for from the final window can be seen Pendle Hill in all its glory. The town of Colne lies spread out in the middle distance, leading on to Laneshaw Bridge to the extreme right in the view.

Returning from ‘Atom’ towards the car park, a waymarking post is sited at a point where a footpath takes off along the side of the valley towards Foster's Leap. This is the starting point for a walk which can easily be completed in one hour and it offers some attractive views of the Wycoller Panopticon from various points within Wycoller Country Park. 

The path is very narrow and soon divides into two. Take the right hand path to descend towards the farmhouse and former barn of Foster's Leap Farm. Kissing gates make it easier for those with dogs to move from one field to another than the ladder stiles which they recently replaced. From the second kissing gate one obtains a good view of Foster's Leap Rock poking its nose out above the stand of sycamore trees next to the barn. This outcrop is referred to in Colne church records of 1714 and is believed to be named after Foster Cunliffe, a relative of the Cunliffes of Wycoller Hall who claimed King Charles II as his godfather. He made a daring (I would call it insane) jump across the gap from the cliff behind on to the top of the rock.

On entering the garden of Foster's Leap Barn, you can see an attractive pond boasting some unusual creatures, such as a pink hippopotamus. However, this is private property and walkers are expected to cross the lawn, on the route indicated by the yellow waymarking arrow, to join the metalled road linking the barn with the farmhouse further down the valley side. Next to the latter is a gate. On entering the field here, follow the wall to the left and cross into the next field by means of a ladder stile. The gateway next to it is usually open, making it  convenient for dogs that might have difficulty with the stile!

Two more posts show the right of way downhill to a footbridge over the stream next to the eighteenth century farmhouse of Parson Lee Farm. This is the only bed and breakfast establishment in the valley at the present time and offers clients the privilege of being able to motor up Wycoller Dene – a perk denied to non-resident visitors to the Country Park. Close by a stile at the end of the barn here is, in my opinion, the best view of the Panopticon. It really does seem as if it is about to roll down the hillside at any moment and – when people stand next to it – looks not unlike a massive boulder abandoned by the retreating glacier which formed this valley. The bronze finish of the Panopticon's metal-based paint blends in perfectly with the colour of its surroundings and it is easy to imagine that this object has long been part of the landscape.

Attractive waterfalls and some superb specimens of European Larch and Common Beech are highlights of the walk down the farm track which joins the tarmac road to Dene House Farm at the appropriately named 'Water Meetings'. Here, two unnamed tributaries unite to form Wycoller Beck which, a short distance further downstream, is crossed by the prehistoric Clam Bridge.

Beyond the Clam Bridge is Copy House Bridge, rebuilt in 1992, where there is the choice of walking through the live willow tunnel in the Conservation Area of the Park, or heading through the picnic area with its duck pond to the Old Coach Road behind the Aisled Barn Visitor Centre. The willow tunnel is worth a detour as it is one of a set of willow structures, including a life-size horse and rider, constuctd by local people working with professional artists to enhamce the wider Panopticon site.

Either way, the old road should be followed uphill to the Haworth Road Car Park, where this two mile walk began.  Plans are now being discussed for a number of artist-designed seats to enhance the enjoyment of the route between the beautiful willow sculptures and the Panopticon, although there are already a couple of benches for you to take in the view and get your breath back as you head for home!