Friday 5th June 2026

Friday 5^th June 2026

Peel Tower, Holcombe Village and Tagg Wood.

This evening walk started at Lumb Carr car park, with fifty five walkers crossing Lumb Carr Road and after walking along a short footpath we turned right onto Holcombe Old Road and started the steep climb to the summit of Holcombe Hill. The walk was partly to celebrate the role that Peel Towers has played in our local history.

The Peel Tower Conditions Project generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is the first stage in protecting Peel Tower, one of Bury’s most recognisable landmarks. The Tower was built in 1852 in memory of Sir Robet Peel, born in Bury, and Prime Minister from 1834 to 1841. The project was created to highlight the challenges that in restoring the building and planning for the Tower’s long-term future.

Once in the Tower we were met by John Ireland, a local historian, who gave us a brief resumé of the Tower’s history, including the role it played in the Second World War as an observation post. The importance of our local history was further emphasised through a booklet produced by one of our other local historians, Christine Taylor, the production of which was funded by the project.

With such a large number of walkers we had to take turns in climbing the 143 steps to the top of the Towers, where we were amazed just how far we could see at the top, which was made easier by the observation plate.

After everyone had been to the top of the Tower, we continued our walk down into Holcombe Village, where a brief outline of the village’s history was presented including the link that Joshua Knowles, a local mill owner in the 1840’s had in the village, where he is buried.

On leaving the church we joined a narrow footpath, which led into Tagg Wood, and we followed it back to the car park having been stimulated by the rich history on our doorstep.