Old Aggie’s, Darwen Moor.
Old Aggie’s as shown on an old postcard
At Old Aggie’s – The site
A long time ago, when I was in the Scouts we once walked up to Darwen Tower and then down Step Back Hill and then on to somewhere else. Located at the bottom of the very steep hill are the remains of Old Aggie’s house. I always remembered it being there, but was unsure how to find it again.
A recent trip out with work colleagues to the Tower took us past the top of Step Back Hill and reminded me about Old Aggie’s again and made me determined to find it.
Fortunately it can be clearly seen on Google Earth.
There are two ways to find it (see zoomable map below).
- Start at Bold Venture Park and walk up to Darwen Tower and follow the path past the tower. This will bring you to the top of Step Back Hill. This route is only for mountain goats and people who are steady on their feet. Step Back Hill is STEEP and tricky under foot. Take the long way round as it won’t be as steep, but still tricky underfoot.
- Start at the car park at Sunnyhurst (top of Tockholes Road) and follow the tarmac/gravel path to Old Aggie’s. This is much more level, but you still need to do some climbing of steps to find the actual place.
The Legend
So what’s it all about. Details about Old Aggie are very sketchy at best. The story goes that she lived in this house in the 1850’s and one night, some time in 1860, was apparently murdered by thieves who stole some some money. The thieves were caught and hung for the crime, but Old Aggie may still have been alive up to a year later.
It was later a tea room before falling in to disrepair.
Do you know more details, or know of references in books? Please let me know if you do.
The Pictures
Route 1 – Bold Venture Park
1 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
2 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
3 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
4 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
5 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
6 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
7 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
8 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
9 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
10 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
11 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
12 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
13 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
14 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
15 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
16 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
17 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
18 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
19 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
20 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
21 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
22 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
23 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
24 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
25 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
26 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
27 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
28 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
29 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
30 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
31 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
32 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
33 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
34 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
35 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
36 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
37 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
38 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
39 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park
40 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park (keep left to avoid Step Back)
41 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park (Step Back is STEEP)
42 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park (Step Back is STEEP)
43 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park (Step Back is STEEP)
44 Route to Old Aggie’s from Bold Venture Park (Step Back is STEEP)
Route 2 – Sunnyhurst Woods
45 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
46 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
47 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
48 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
49 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
50 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
51 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
52 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
53 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
54 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
55 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
56 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
57 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
58 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
59 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
60 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
61 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
62 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
63 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
64 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
65 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
66 Route to Old Aggie’s from Sunnyhurst Woods
At Old Aggie’s
67 At Old Aggie’s – Steps to left
68 At Old Aggie’s – Steps
69 At Old Aggie’s
70 At Old Aggie’s
71 At Old Aggie’s
72 At Old Aggie’s
73 At Old Aggie’s
74 At Old Aggie’s
75 At Old Aggie’s
76 At Old Aggie’s
77 At Old Aggie’s
78 At Old Aggie’s
79 At Old Aggie’s
80 At Old Aggie’s
81 At Old Aggie’s
82 At Old Aggie’s
83 At Old Aggie’s
The Site and what is left of the building
84 At Old Aggie’s – The site
84 At Old Aggie’s – The site
85 At Old Aggie’s – The site
86 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
87 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
88 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
89 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
90 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
91 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
92 At Old Aggie’s – Building remains
References:
http://www.westpennineway.org/roddlesworth-to-clough-head/
DISCLAIMER:
These maps are intended only as a guide. You should not use these maps for navigational purposes. You are advised to take appropriate clothing, footwear, equipment and navigational materials with you according to the current and possible weather and nature of the terrain. Some sections may be very strenuous. Distances are approximate. Neither CactusCorner, or owner of this site, accept any liability for persons using these maps.
Christopher's Cactus Corner 