Heywood Waterfall (Ashworth Waterfall) — Place photograph (1 of 3)

Heywood Waterfall (Ashworth Waterfall) — Place photograph (2 of 3)

Heywood, Greater Manchester

Heywood Waterfall (Ashworth Waterfall)

Waterside landscape

Place photograph

4.9

Wildland

The waterfall can be visited as part of a 5.8-mile circular walk estimated at 2–2.5 hours

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Why it's Wildland

4.9

Naden Brook drops over a dam into a plunge pool beside an old mill: a small waterside feature encountered among woodland paths, brooks and fields on a longer circular walk.

The waterfall earns its place as a rewarding feature within a varied local walk, where woodland and brookside paths lead to the old mill and the cascade of Naden Brook. The route adds more to the outing than a brief waterfall stop, though it includes countryside-road sections that need care.

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Heywood, Greater Manchester

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The experience

The best-supported way to experience the waterfall is as part of the Heywood, Ashworth Waterfall and Bamford circular: a moderate loop through Queen’s Park, Heywood, fields and woodland, with brooks, footbridges and the waterfall along the way. The route includes road walking, so take care at crossings.

Things to do

See Ashworth waterfall and the old mill

Follow the brookside section of the circular route to where Naden Brook drops from a dam into a plunge pool below an old mill.

Explore Queen’s Park at the route’s start

The circular route begins through Queen’s Park, which AllTrails describes as having gardens and a lake.

Walk the woodland and brookside sections

The circuit follows a brook through woodland and crosses nearby brooks on footbridges; AllTrails also names Ashworth Wood and Clay Lane Wood on the route.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Check before visiting

Waterfall and woodland out-and-back

01
Use the locally confirmed access point and route information to reach Ashworth waterfall.
02
Pause to see Naden Brook cascade from the dam into the plunge pool below the old mill.
03
Return by the route you came; the supplied sources do not verify a short out-and-back route or its distance.

Half day · 2–2.5 hours

Ashworth Waterfall and Bamford Circular

01
Start and finish by the Queen’s Park car park, as described by AllTrails.
02
Walk through Queen’s Park and Heywood, then continue through fields towards the River Roch and woodland.
03
Follow the brookside path to Ashworth waterfall and the old mill.
04
Continue through Ashworth Wood and Clay Lane Wood before returning via fields and Bamford.
05
Take care on road sections and crossings; check current conditions and route information.

Verified history

The supplied route source places an old mill beside the waterfall and describes Naden Brook dropping from a dam into the plunge pool. No dates or further history of the mill are established by the supplied sources.

Hidden details

The cascade sits beside an old mill — The waterfall is more than a woodland-water feature: the route description places the plunge pool below an old mill. The sources do not provide further detail about the mill’s history.

When to go

· The source row suggests a weekday morning for a quieter visit; this timing is not independently corroborated by the supplied sources.

No seasonal conditions for this waterfall are established by the supplied route source. The source row suggests the waterfall may be more vigorous in spring, but this claim is not independently verified.

AllTrails notes muddy sections and navigation difficulties. Take care on road walking sections and crossings; check current conditions before setting out.

The route

ascent: 472 ft
surface: Woodland paths, fields and countryside roads; muddy sections are reported.
distance: 5.8 miles
duration: 2–2.5 hours
difficulty: Moderate
route shape: Loop
start point: Car park by Queen’s Park, as described by AllTrails.
parking start: AllTrails describes a car park by Queen’s Park; check current arrangements.

Queen’s Park gardens and lake
River Roch crossing
Brookside woodland path
Ashworth waterfall and old mill
Ashworth Wood and Clay Lane Wood
Footbridges over brooks

Worth pairing with

Queen’s Park

A confirmed starting point on the circular route, with gardens and a lake described by AllTrails.

Refreshment stops in Heywood

AllTrails notes places to stop for refreshments in Heywood along the route; individual businesses and opening times are not specified.

What to look for

At Ashworth waterfall, look for Naden Brook falling from the dam into the plunge pool and the old mill beside it. The wider circuit also passes woodland paths, brooks and footbridges.

The story

Industry

Best time to go

No independently verified seasonal recommendation. The source row suggests May to September, but this is not corroborated by the supplied route source.

The source row suggests a weekday morning for a quieter visit, but the supplied route source does not verify seasonal conditions or crowd patterns. Trails may be muddy; check current conditions and wear suitable footwear.

How long to spend

The waterfall can be visited as part of a 5.8-mile circular walk estimated at 2–2.5 hours; check the route and access before visiting.

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

The waterfall is described as a sight on the Heywood, Ashworth Waterfall and Bamford circular route. The supplied route information does not confirm access conditions for every section; check current route and access information before setting out. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

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Parking

The route starts and finishes by the car park at Queen’s Park, according to AllTrails. Check current parking arrangements before travelling.

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Toilets

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Food & drink

AllTrails notes refreshment stops in Heywood along the circular route; check opening times and availability.

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Dogs

AllTrails lists dogs on leash. Check current local rules.

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Accessibility

The route is rated moderate by AllTrails and includes countryside-road sections and crossings; some narrower roads require particular care. Muddy sections and navigation difficulties are also reported. Check current conditions and whether the route suits your abilities.

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Cost

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Water

Stream, River