A circular route around Bishop Park and Besom Hill

This circular walk is one of a series of walks throughout the Medlock Valley. It takes in some of the highest points of the valley and provides views over the surrounding areas. However the walk is relatively easy, well way-marked and is approximately three miles long.

1. Bishop Park

This monument marks the highest point in Oldham, at 1233 feet above sea level. The monument commemorates a local family who gave the land at Bishop Park to the Borough of Oldham. From this point you can see four counties Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire, and even as far as Wales on a clear day.

2. Source of the River Medlock

It is difficult to tell exactly where the river begins because there are many Streams and springs in this area, but the source of the River Medlock is in the grounds of the old sanatorium, which has now been developed into private housing.

3. Harbour Hill

A strange place for a harbour perhaps, but the name suggests a place for shelter and protection. This place may well have been a high camp for drovers who were taking their animals over the hills. The valley would afford some protection and keep the animals together.

4. The Roebuck Inn

Although not on the direct route of the circular walk this is a good place for refreshment and has its own bit of folk history. During the depression of the 1920's and 30's, the pub was used for the laying out and inquests into the many suicides in the area. Being on the boundary of Oldham and Saddleworth, rumour has it that the first thing the Constable did when arriving at the scene of a suicide was to try to push the body over the boundary!

5. Strinesdale

This area was once the boundary between Yorkshire and Lancashire and between Oldham and Saddleworth. Probably it has been a boundary point since early history because the name 'Strine'' is an Old English word meaning boundary. It's uphill from here, but take it easy and enjoy the views whilst you stop for a breather!

6. The Spout Field

Old maps show this field to be called 'Spout Field', which was a fairly common name for a field. It indicated that there was a spring present, which gushed out as a 'spout'. Now there is an underground reservoir here.

7. Besom Hill

'Besom' to most people means a type of sweeping brush or broom; Witches' broomsticks were often called Besoms. But in fact this is a corruption or misinterpretation of the word. In Old English dialect 'Besom' did mean broom - but the yellow-flowering plant often seen today as an ornamental shrub. So whilst most people think that Besom Hill was so named because it had a connection with witches, it probably got this name because the plant used to grow here.

8. Grains Bar

The word 'grain' or 'grein' meant a forked branch and was often used to indicate a valley or stream. Grains Bar is at the head of three valleys - a place from which it is possible to travel along three 'greins' or branch valleys.

Suggested Bus Routes

Grains Bar/Bishop Park: 562, 407 Check times with G.M.P.T.E. on 061-228 7811.

Ordinance Survey Pathfinder map sheet 713 (Oldham) may be useful for people wishing to explore the area further.