BLACKO

Blacko’s most famous building must be Stansfield Tower a folly built around 1890 in an effort to see the sea (or by a kindly landowner providing work for the unemployed?). Unfortunately the current owner does not permit access. Malkin Tower where (maybe) witches convened (or even covened) is also in the parish. There is no tower and no broomsticks, it now has holiday cottages and an interesting history so I've included an extra link below.

The north western area of the parish is open access land and whilst it is possible to get to the highest point of the parish – Jackson Slack Hill - using this there is no legal way on so I have used only footpaths, but see the note at this point. Quite a bit of the route is on the Pendle Way (PW) so is well signed. Since the boggiest sections have now been plank bridged it is now a very nice walk through interesting countryside.

Please note that there is no car park so that you must park on the main road or Beverley Road – be very considerate – if you intend drinking you could no doubt use the Cross Gates Inn, or Moorcock Inn, car park and start the walk from there.

Start:                Blacko village (860415)

Length:             12k

Height Gain:      300m

Time:                4 hours

Grade:              Medium

The following links will open in a new plain window for easy printing.

GO HERE  for the route description

GO HERE for the map

GO HERE for a bit of the history and some pictures of Malkin Tower.

To see each picture full size in a new window click on the description or thumbnail below

Top picture alongside  - Wheathead & Jackson Heights
Middle Picture alongside - Stansfield Tower
Bottom picture alongside - The view of Foulridge Reservoirs from the fields above Malkin Tower farm

 Just above where you leave the Pendle Way on reaching the road near the Moorcock if you carried on up the Way this rather nice "well" or "spring" can be seen - in fact its merely the artificial continuation of a natural stream to a horse trough without which the area would be very boggy.