Whether you want a walk of 4-5 miles or a 2 mile stroll, you can fit them in round Ball Grove’s paths. This area is an example of inspired urban landscape reclamation. This walk is based around what was the site of one of the largest tanneries in Europe – built at the edge of the town because of the smell, no doubt, and now is just a wonderful wild-life haven. The old tannery pond is now an amazing wetland habitat and there are picnic areas and a adventure-playground type children’s play area. Good for the family.

You will find Ball Grove just out of Colne, Lancashire, and has a signpost off the road from Colne out to Laneshaw Bridge. Turn right down to Trawden and then left at Winewall sign. Ball Grove car park is on your left. You will see the entrance to the walkway at the side of the children’s playground and you can look at the map and choose your route. You can go all the way along the route to Laneshaw Bridge and onto Wycollar if you like for a longer walk, but we opted for a circular walk. We followed the path from the playground along the side of the river – and saw several wrens and a number of species of butterflies – it is pretty flat and pleasant on a hot day under the trees. The path then passes the old Weir and its pool, and then past up the hill to the old tannery pond, which is now half covered with reeds and iris around a foot tall and  buzzing with dragonflies and with a number of species of ducks and coots swimming on the open water. Beautiful. The main path continues up the hill and over to Laneshaw Bridge, but we turned back on the circular path  going up the hill over the other side of the tannery pond and back to the Car Park. About two miles and worth many visits to catch sight of the wildlife. Great!