It’s been a while since my last blog. I changed jobs in May which wiped out much of April and May as I was prepping for hand over at my last job, then rest of May and June getting to grips with my new day job.
Just as things were settling down in my day job I caught Covid so that’s another two weeks lost.
So it was a huge relief to finally get out for a short evenings stroll up to Rivington Pike with my daughter to watch the sun set. It was a bit of a struggle as still not got rid of my Covid cough but well worth it to just breath in the fresh air, open space and spend time with my daughter.
I am still not properly over Covid and keep getting short of breath so walks are going to be limited for a while.
The Pike has stunning 360 degree view over Lancashire and Cheshire you can see the North Pennine Moors, the Peak District, North Wales, Cumbria and Blackpool Tower.
The tower has a long history. The foundations of the current tower were originally part of a beacon system to warn of marauding Scots and it was lit to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada.
The current Pike Tower was built as a hunting lodge in 1733 by John Andrew’s of Rivington.
In 1801 it was used as a meeting place for republican activists who advocated universal suffrage.
In 1896 the Winter Hill trespass of 10,000 people over two weekends to enforce the right to roam against the then owners of the land Smithhills Hall who tried to enclose the land for grouse shooting. This pre-dated the more famous Kinder Scout trespass.
It’s since been used as a beacon for Royal jubilees and favoured picnic spot for many people.
Just below the Pike at the Rivington gardens with many varied routes up and down the pike.
To the rear of the Pike are the Winter Hill radio masts. You can walk across the moor to them. But he warned low cloud and mist can come down very quickly leaving walkers lost in a featureless marshy landscape that should not be tackled without good navigation skills.
Escape to the Wild Side 