Robin Road runs behind the now boarded up Liberal Club on Waterside Road and leads down to an area known locally as Lammy Bank where public footpaths criss cross through the woods. If you take the path which forks to the left you can walk alongside the stream to Holcombe Brook and will emerge close to the Hare and Hounds pub. On your way you'll see some overgrown foundations, all that's now left of Robin Road Mill, and also old dams where water was drawn from the stream to power looms and wash cotton.
In 1826 the mill was visited by around 200 Luddites who destroyed 38 looms before moving on towards Bury. More information on Summerseat's mills along with the history of the village can be found on the excellent Ward family website.
The steep right hand fork in the path will take you up through the woods and provides great views across the village as it passes behind the playing field and brick houses. I found this excellent and highly recommended walking map courtesy Rossendale Council which takes you along this route and around the village taking in many of the best sights Summerseat has to offer.
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2007-10-21 @ 18:20