Jumbles Reservoir Walk

Jumbles Country Park in Bolton opened in 1971 following the completion of Jumbles Reservoir. The walk around the reservoir takes just over an hour and is easy to follow and flat in most places.

We began the walk at the main car park, just off Bradshaw Road. This is a pay-and-display car park but when we visited the machine was broken and parking was free.

From the car park we headed north to the start of the track that leads around the reservoir. There’s a café and information centre here, but we were short of time so moved on without stopping.

After following a woodland trail we came to a concrete bridge crossing a small inlet. Once across the other side, the path returned to the woods for around half a mile.

At the northern end of the reservoir another bridge took us over to the western side. The path splits in two here. Heading northwest would have taken us to Turton Tower. However, we took the southern route to complete the circuit of the reservoir.

The path then exits Jumbles Country Park and leads onto to Grange Road. We followed this for half a mile before turning back into the park. We were soon at Ousel Nest Meadows, an attractive area teeming with wildlife.

The track then led us past the dam at the southern end of the reservoir. From here a steep hill climb took us back to the car park. This was the only section of the walk where those with pushchairs or the less able would have any difficulty.

Although we drove to the park it is also possible to travel there by train. Alight at Bromley Cross Train Station and walk north along Grange Road to reach it.