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 I
offered to write a little something about how to find the Packhorse Bridge
(also known as Eastergate Bridge) since I went through such a time finding
info about it. So here goes!
First thing you'll need to do is get to Marsden. Then go to the train
station. You can either park here and walk or take the road around back to
the Standedge Tunnel Visitor Center. (A walk is nice if the weather's good
- it goes along the recently reopened canal and you feel as if you're in
the middle of nowhere!)
If you are up for it, a stop at the visitor's center is good ... and I
paid the extra few pounds to go on a wee boat ride into the tunnel. I was
under the impression the ride was all the way to the other side of the
tunnel but am glad it was not - it takes two and a half hours ONE WAY!
Now this is where you'll need to take off on foot. Exit the car park of
the visitor's center and turn left. Walk on this road all the way down, it
doesn't ever fork so you shouldn't get lost. It will be a long walk -
nearly 1/2 mile or more. Since I was on foot, I wasn't able to clock it.
As you get near a hotel (on the right), you'll see an iron and stone
bridge leading to some private property on your left. You'll be close at
that point. Continue on until you notice a gate that veers off the main
road to the left, its a bridle path. Go through the gate (its a public
walkway). Be careful as the part of the path close to the stream running
below is steep and not railed off. I certainly hope you have the same kind
of weather I had the day I went. It was beautiful.
Stay on that path (of course, there isn't really anywhere else you could
go but backwards at this point). You'll go round a bend to the right and
the bridge will just pop out and will be in front of you. It really does
look as if it could be in the middle of nowhere, like I said before. You
can almost imagine Compo, Foggy, and Clegg standing on it admiring the
breathtaking countryside. It is magnificent! Cross the bridge and make a
little picnic under the huge tree next to it.
You have the option to take one of two paths that fork off past the other
side of the bridge. I didn't take either of the paths that day because I
was to meet someone in town later. I will next time, though. I wonder
what's past there? What's to be seen as the paths wind into the wilderness
of the moors?
Beautiful country up there ... don't forget your camera!
Robin
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