Bell Lane & Deep Lane, Milnrow–Rakewood
The great road between York and Chester that runs over Blackstone Edge was first mapped by John Ogilvy in 1675. At the foot of the Edge this road forked at Lydgate: the Chester road carried on to Rochdale, the other road turned south along the bottom of the Edge, then southwest past Schofield Hall to Rakewood on its way to Manchester. From Rakewood it continued along Deep Lane and Bell Lane to Milnrow.
The route was upgraded to bridleway in June 2003. Work is needed to make it passable. Contact Don Askew (don.askew@rochdale.gov.uk), the rights of way officer at Rochdale Council, for further information.
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey 6-inch Map, Sheets 81 and 89, 1851