Valley of Stone: Rossendale's Quiet Corner of Lancashire Heritage

If you're planning a countryside escape in Lancashire, Valley of Stone in Rossendale deserves a spot on your list. Tucked into the moorland above the Rossendale Valley, this former quarry landscape has quietly become one of the area's most rewarding spots for walkers, photographers, and anyone who likes a bit of history written into the land itself. It isn't flashy. It isn't crowded. That's exactly the point.

At Lancstays we're always looking for places that capture what makes Lancashire special, its wild layered landscapes and the working history behind them. Valley of Stone ticks both boxes, and it slots easily into a weekend break from our Blackburn house.

What is Valley of Stone?

Valley of Stone is a historic quarry site on the high moorland near Haslingden Grane, above the Rossendale Valley. Once a working stone quarry, it is now a peaceful, semi wild landscape where the old workings have softened into the hillside, leaving a striking mix of exposed rock, still water pools, and open moor stretching toward the horizon.

An interpretation board at the site, supported by United Utilities and local heritage groups, tells the story of the quarry's working life. Quarrying here runs back through the 18th century and into the height of the Industrial Revolution, when stone from sites like this fed demand for building material across Lancashire and beyond, some of it reportedly shipped as far as Liverpool and London. Activity declined around the First World War as extraction slowed and costs rose, and the site was gradually left to nature.

What's left is genuinely atmospheric, part industrial memory and part open countryside, with long views across the valley toward Musbury Heights.

A landscape shaped by hard work

Part of what makes Valley of Stone compelling is the human history layered into the scenery. This was a working environment for generations of local quarrymen, in tough conditions and brutal winters. The old photographs reproduced on site, showing workers and their equipment, are a quiet reminder of how much of Lancashire's built heritage came out of exactly this kind of labour.

The surrounding area, including Haslingden Grane itself, tells the same story: terraced, stepped hillsides created by centuries of quarrying, where sandstone ridges and softer shale slopes give the valley its distinctive profile. Standing here you aren't just looking at scenery, you're looking at the raw material of the towns and streets that make up modern Lancashire.

Getting there and parking

Valley of Stone is best reached by car, up Grane Road (the B6232) which runs west out of Haslingden toward Blackburn and Belmont. It's a proper moorland drive and part of the appeal.

• Park at the Clough Head car park and information centre on Grane Road. It's free, has toilets when the centre is open, and is the obvious starting point for the whole Grane area.
• From the car park it's roughly a 15 to 20 minute walk on rising ground to reach the main quarry workings and pools. Allow a little longer if the ground is wet.
• Most people spend 30 minutes to a couple of hours here. Link it into the Rossendale Way and you have a comfortable half day.
• Sturdy footwear is essential. There is uneven ground, loose stone and old workings, and no lighting. Moorland weather turns fast, so take a layer even on a bright day.

Why walkers and photographers love it

• Big open views. From the higher ground you get sweeping panoramas across the Rossendale Valley, rolling hills, distant wind turbines and classic Pennine moorland.
• A genuine sense of discovery. Even with signage and paths in place, it feels like somewhere you found rather than somewhere you were sent.
• Photogenic contrasts. Still pools against exposed rock faces, wind bent trees and old stone workings, at their best in early morning or golden hour.
• Heritage without the crowds. Real historical depth, no queue, no entry fee.

It also sits on the wider Rossendale Way, a long distance route that skirts several of the area's old quarries, so it connects easily into a longer day on foot.

Where it sits from our Blackburn base

From The Blackburn House, Valley of Stone is about 25 to 30 minutes by car, straight out along Grane Road. That makes it an easy morning out rather than a full expedition, and it leaves the afternoon free for Haslingden, Rawtenstall's market and Whitaker museum, or a run north into the Ribble Valley.

If you're planning a broader Lancashire weekend, our Ribble Valley and Bowland guide pairs well with this one, and you can see everything currently available on the properties page.

Things to do nearby in Rossendale

Valley of Stone works well as an anchor point for a wider itinerary. The Grane valley has the ruins of Grane village and the Calf Hey and Ogden reservoir circuits within a short drive, both good gentle walks. Rawtenstall and Haslingden give you traditional Lancashire market town character and a good run of independent cafés for afterwards, and the East Lancashire Railway runs steam services from Rawtenstall down toward Bury if you want a slower afternoon.

Whether you're here for a single night or a full countryside break, Rossendale mixes outdoor time with relaxed exploring, which suits couples, solo walkers and families equally.

Stay nearby with Lancstays

Exploring places like Valley of Stone is better with a comfortable, well placed base to come back to. Lancstays offers quality short lets across Lancashire, with a full kitchen, free parking and space to dry boots off after a day on the moor. Rates from £65 a night.

Have a look at The Blackburn House or get in touch if you want a recommendation for your dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Valley of Stone free to visit?

Yes. It's an open, publicly accessible heritage and moorland site with no entry fee, and parking at Clough Head on Grane Road is free too.

Is Valley of Stone suitable for families or beginner walkers?

Mostly yes. The walk in from Clough Head is short, but the terrain includes uneven ground, loose stone and old quarry workings, so sturdy footwear and close supervision for children are sensible.

How long does it take to explore Valley of Stone?

Around 30 minutes to two hours, depending on whether you combine it with a longer stretch of the Rossendale Way or the nearby reservoir circuits.

What's the best time of year to visit?

It's worth visiting year round, but clear autumn and spring days give the best mix of visibility and comfortable walking conditions.

Is Valley of Stone dog friendly?

Yes, on a lead. It's open moorland with grazing nearby, so follow any on site signage about livestock and ground nesting birds.

How far is Valley of Stone from Blackburn?

About 25 to 30 minutes by car from central Blackburn, straight out along Grane Road toward Haslingden.