Marsden Countryside

The first impression that greets you as you alight from the train at Marsden station may be one of bleakness. The village is surrounded on three sides by high moorland where you can walk for miles with only the Curlews for company.

Marsden is at the end of what was one of the toughest stretches of the Pennine Way until recent laying of old stone paving from demolished mills across the boggy terrain made the going so much easier.

Look more closely however and you will be surprised. Old paved paths take you through narrow tree lined cloughs (valleys) and over ancient packhorse bridges; the isolated Wessenden valley has a panorama of water with its four reservoirs, and the route north from standedge cutting has spectacular views over the Castleshaw valley - site of a Roman fort

The best way to see the countryside around Marsden is to walk, and there are several publications to help you find the hidden local jewels (You can buy these and more on the sales page)

• The Colne Valley Circular Walk A 13 mile route through some of the best scenery and most facinating history the valley has to offer. Marsden is the mid-point of the walk as described in the book, although it also makes a well-placed start and finish for those basing themselves in the village. In this case the mid-point of the walk will be the fascinating Colne Valley folk museum in Golcar where refreshments can be obtained.
  
  
• Colne Valley walks Ten short walks exploring all the different facets of the local scenery and history

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