Marsden Discovery Trail
30
minutes approx
Start outside the Railway pub by Marsden railway station. Walk down the hill and turn right at the when you reach the river along The Green. Cross the old arched bridge (Mellors Bridge) from which a drunken resident fell to his death in 1804. Turn right and then first left between the graveyard and the parochial hall.
1. In which year was the parochial hall constructed
?
.
Turn left through the vehicle gates into the churchyard. The new church was built between 1895 and 1898 and the tower 12 years later. Due to its size and splendour it is known as the cathedral of the valley. Go up the first path on the right.
2. Which American Presidents namesake has an
impressive gravestone here ?
..
Returning
down the path turn right, alongside the church, out of the vehicular gates at
the other end of the churchyard and cross the road. Turn right, and as you walk
along, look over the wall into the gardens to your left. This is the site of
the old Marsden church. A large gravestone marks the grave of Enoch Taylor,
whose new-fangled machinery threatened to put many manual workers in the
woollen industry out of work, and sparked Luddite revolts.
3. How old was Enoch Taylor when he died ?
..
Reaching
the next road (Towngate) turn left. The houses on your right are the last
remnants of the oldest part of Marsden centre. A street here known as Planks
was so narrow that it was possible for the inhabitants on either side to shake
hands from their bedroom windows.
4. At the bottom of Towngate is a relic of medieval
Marsden last used in 1821 what is it ?
..
Take the path to the right between the modern old peoples flats and Number 1 Towngate, and turn right over the bridge. Ahead is the restored Mechanics Hall, with its impressive clocktower. The building now hosts a wide variety of arts events as well as being a wedding venue and the village library.
5. In which year was the Mechanics Hall built ?
Proceed ahead to the major road junction in front of the Mechanics Hall, and turn right up Marsdens main shopping street (Peel Street).
6. Which famous playwright is commemorated by a pub
here ?
At the top of Peel Street look right.
7. How many years after getting a fire engine did we
have to wait for an ambulance?
..
Cross the zebra crossing and enter Marsden park. (Look right for Marsdens Liberal Club) The park, like many other features of Marsden, was the gift of the local millowners. Behind the bandstand a plaque commemorates one of Marsdens famous sons, Samuel Laycock.
8. In what field did he achieve fame?
Continue alongside the ball games area, and look up the steps to the right.
9. Which animals flank the monument to Marsdens war
dead ?
.
Continue ahead into the junior school yard and down to the main road. Cross the road by the bollards and take the steps/road opposite, to the left of Marsden Socialist Club. At the T junction turn left back towards the Mechanics Hall. The building on your right is one of the last two operational mills in Marsden.
10. Which company operates the mill ?
..
On your left is Marsden infant school.
11. In which year was it enlarged ?
.
Back
at the crossroads in the village centre, turn right down Peel Street.
12. Which major clearing bank recently abandoned
Marsden ?
.
Cross the road to the Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsdens own microbrewery. Walking along Argyle Street between the Brewery and the river you can still see evidence of the original occupier.
13. Which business used to trade from these premises ?
..
Turn right over the iron railed bridge and right again on the path beside the river. Look over the next iron railed bridge to Marsden health centre, which is featured in the TV series Where the Heart is
14. Which political party has its Marsden headquarters
behind ?
...
Continue along the path to the road, where you can walk back up the hill to the Railway for a pint and a game of Pinball.