Roddlesworth Wood is a small area of woodland which lies to the west of Darwen in Lancashire. Although the woodland area is quite small, there is a lot of interest packed into the area and with several paths to explore it makes for a pleasant and usually quiet half day out. Added to this is the advantage of free and convenient parking, and a cafe and pub to relax in at the end of a walk.
For photography, autumn is the best time of year to visit for the autumn colours and also the chance of spotting some mushrooms.
Location and Parking
Post Code: BB3 0PA
What3words: cuddling.vanilla.ogre
Roddlesworth Wood is in easy access from the M61 motorway. Leave the motorway at junction 3 and head south along the A675 for 4.5 miles, climbing onto the moorland. Turn sharp left onto Crookfield Road and follow this road (which turns into Tockholes Road) for just over 1.5 miles to reach the car park. There are two free car park. Entrance to the woods is right across the road.
If visiting Roddlesworth Waterfall, leave the motorway at the same junction and follow the A675, but after 3 miles park at a small lay-by on the left, where the road crosses a small brook. There is a sign-posted path into the woods, which leads to the waterfall in about 200 yards.
Tockholes Entrance
On entering the woods from the Tockholes entrance, you are immediately transported into another world – dark and gloomy and reminiscent of the Dark Hedges in Ireland (famous from the Game Of Thrones series). The path through this part is quite short, but full of atmosphere.
Roddlesworth Woods
Along the first section of the path, it is difficult to pick out any specific subject, but the vertical columns of trees trees make some interesting patterns.
Roddlesworth Trees
The path descends to the River Roddlesworth, where there is a small bridge – this area is particularly attractive in autumn colours.
The River Roddlesworth
The River Roddlesworth Bridge
Once across the bridge, if the path is followed downstream beside the river, it re-crosses to the west side and eventually reaches the first of a group of three surprisingly large reservoirs. The reservoirs are on private land and are used for fishing.
Roddlesworth Reservoir
From the reservoir, turn right for the path back to the car park, which climbs steeply through the wood.
Roddlesworth Waterfall
Instead of continuing to the reservoir, it is possible to reach Roddlesworth Waterfall from the bridge, by turning left before crossing the bridge and following the river up-stream for about a quarter of a mile, where the path branches again. Continue on the right path to follow the river, reaching the waterfall in another 0.1 miles. Alternatively, use the small lay-by on the east side of the woods, from which the path leads directly to the waterfall.
Roddlesworth Waterfall
The large overhanging tree in the picture above is a bit of a distraction, which is difficult to avoid from above. I have seen photographs taken from below the falls at river level, but the banks are very steep, so when I visited, I decided it best not to try to climb down!
The whole area of woodland is usually very quite, but there may be a few dog walkers about.
Roddlesworth Dog Walker
Mushrooms And Funghi
During the autumn it is worth keeping an eye out for mushrooms or other types of funghi. These may not be immediately obvious from the path, so it is worth exploring around old fallen trees to see if there are any good specimen to photograph. These porcelain mushrooms were very easy to find however as they were sprouting from a tree right next to the main path at the Tockholes entrance.
Porcelain Mushrooms
A selection of other mushroom colonies – note that I am not an expert on mushroom identification, so these names may not be correct!
Angel’s Bonnet Mushrooms
Sulphur Tuft Mushrooms
Sulphur Tuft Colony
Woodland Birds
There are a few common woodland birds about. Some people leave out bird seed, so if you have a long lens, you may get a chance for some bird shots.
Juvenile Robin
Great Tit