The Blue Lagoon as it is known locally, was Ward’s reservoir and supplied water for the industrial mills below Belmont .
The Blue Lagoon was drained in 2010 due to fears for it’s safety with regard to dangerous flood water levels in the future. It is a sad loss, but if the Blue Lagoon is gone forever, we may gain a new interesting area.
“The Blue Lagoon can hold 150,000 cubic metres of water and has a surface area of 28,000 square metres when full. A large part of the reservoir is only a few feet deep, but it sinks to a depth of about 80ft at its lowest point. Mr Smith [Belmont Holdings] has said that he would be prepared to hand the reservoir over to a trust.”
from Lancashire Telegraph
When the Rhododendron are in bloom this is one of the nicest waterfalls, a raging torrent after heavy rain.
The highest point for miles and just short of a mountain, Winter Hill is a key part of the West Pennine Moors and a habitat for a huge range of wildlife. With evidence of occupation going back literally thousands of years there is plenty of history on and under the hill. Winter Hill was also the site of a historic mass trespass that gave us open access to much of the moorland today.
A secret reservoir high up on Winter Hill the former Reservoir of Dean Mills is a quiet spot that’s good for a visit on sunny days.
A mystery mound on the East of Winter Hill, possibly man-made prehistoric, possibly a glacial mound.
The site of an old coal mine or colliery on the slopes of Winter Hill above Horwich.
The site of a small hamlet and fireclay works high on Winter Hill, once housing families employed in the local quarrying, mining and fireclay industries. Often passed by walkers on their way up the hill, there are a number of interesting industrial remains hidden in the moorland grass.
A series of old Pit Kilns alongside a path across Wildersmoor on the slopes of Winter Hill above Horwich.
A bit awkward to reach but great place for industrial archeaology, geology and fossil finding or just a splash about in the stream.
An excellent area for walking and wildlife situated around a glacial valley with great scenery and plenty to explore from open moorland to mixed woodland trails.
Burnt Edge is a continuation of the valley of the Dean Brook as it rises to the higher slopes of Winter Hill. Featuring great moorland views out over Bolton and hills of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, together with tons of industrial archaeology.
High on the summit of the often foreboding Noon Hill is a Bronze Age round cairn topped by a more recent cairn of uncertain age. The round cairn was excavated in the 1950’s/60’s and yielded several cremations and funery ornaments now in the possesion of Bolton Museum. This site is rumoured to have been put to use in more recent times as a secret meeting place for persecuted Christians.
