Holcombe Moor and Stubbins Estate

About

Holcombe Moor and Stubbins Estate covers more than 1,400 acres of the West Pennine Moors above Ramsbottom, moorland, farmland and wooded valley designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 2016. Since 2020 the Trust has been restoring the peat to store carbon, slow floodwater and help breeding golden plover, dunlin and curlew. The moor is scattered with stories: the memorial stone to Ellen Strange, murdered crossing the moor in 1761; Pilgrims Cross, recorded as standing in 1176; and a range where local infantry trained for the Crimean War. Reviewers single out the views from Peel Tower, Bury Council's memorial to Sir Robert Peel, and find the climb manageable for children. The tower opens only on certain days, so check before setting off. Dogs are welcome everywhere but must be on a short lead from March to July and near livestock. Four Trust trails start here, from a two-mile Peel Tower circular to an eight-mile Bull Hill loop.

CountrysideWalking routesDog friendlyDogs on leads

Check today’s timesSee all times

Holcombe Moor and Stubbins EstateOpen all day

Opening times may change at short notice.

Open all day according to the Trust's calendar.

Peel Tower is owned and managed by Bury Council and opens only on certain days; the Trust advises calling Bury Tourist Information on 0161 253 5111 before setting off.

The Holcombe and Bull Hill walk reaches Ministry of Defence land; do not cross the boundary when red flags are flying.

No Trust cafe or toilets; cafes and pubs in Helmshore, Holcombe Brook and Ramsbottom are not National Trust.

The moorland's topography and path conditions mean it is not considered suitable for people with limited mobility.

Photo: Path across Holcombe Moor to Peel Tower. Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Path_to_Peel_Tower_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6467934.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.

Dogs at the location: Allowed with restrictions. Dogs welcome under close control, preferably on a lead; short 2m lead in nesting season 1 March to 31 July.

Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed with restrictions. Allowed in all areas of the estate; lead no more than 2m on open access land 1 March to 31 July and at all times around livestock.

Leads: Short lead (max 2m) 1 March to 31 July and at all times around livestock; otherwise close control, preferably on a lead.

PricingFreeFree for all visitors

Free entry for everyone

Entry

Free for everyone

Pricing details

Open moorland and countryside, free for everyone. Any charge to climb Peel Tower is set by Bury Council, not the Trust.

ParkingParking not known

The Trust's page does not say how parking is charged.

Parking details

For Peel Tower, the Trust says to park at Lumb Carr car park, Lumb Carr Road, Holcombe, Bury BL8 4NN. It does not say who runs it or whether a charge applies. For the Stubbins Estate circular walk, park on Stubbins Vale Road; if parking in Helmshore, park considerately.

Pin set on Lumb Carr car park, the start of three of the Trust's four trails; the Trust's postal address at Chatterton Close is its local base, not a visitor car park.