Cheesden Valley 2025

The Forgotten Valley is an apt name for the lower reaches of the Cheesden Brook. Tumbled ruins with ancient wheel pits, mill lodges and a solitary chimney, all lie in a steep-sided valley hidden from the surrounding countryside.

Contacts

Address: Walk starts: A680, layby opposite Owd Betts Cheesden Nr Rochdale Lancashire OL12 7TY

Website: View website

Open Days & Times

Access at all times. Visit website for more details.

Travel

By Rail: Rochdale / 6 miles

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It seems amazing that this small stream once powered such a large number of mills. Cheesden Lumb, Croston Close, Deeply Hill and Washwheel mills are long gone, but the peace and quiet of the deserted valley is still there for us all to enjoy.

This is just 1 of 15 moorland mills in this valley built in the 1700s. These mills processed the off cuts of waste material from the larger mills in Greater Manchester, into felted materials.