UPDATE: |The dark mystery of the ‘Two Lads’ which overlook the Moors News

The iconic cairns, on a highpoint of the West Pennine moors have been vandalised and rebuilt several times over the decades

They are iconic moorland stone landmarks from which panoramic views stretching to the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales can be enjoyed.

The Two Lads cairns, on Crooked Edge Hill, an outlying summit on Winter Hill north of Bolton, have been a beloved destination for walkers and ramblers for centuries.

On older maps, it is shown as two cairns, but some visitors will be familiar with just one large cairn until the 1970s when the second cairn was rebuilt. Since then, the cairns have been vandalised and rebuilt many times with a third one recently appearing.

The landmarks were first recorded on maps in 1787, however, the Woodland Trust, who mange the moorland, say a first possible recording of the cairns could be in a grant of land deed from Cecily, widow of Roger de Worsley, in 1280.

And according to legend, the structures have a dark and mysterious past.

How did the Two Lads get their name?

There are various theories about how the cairns got their name.

In 1883, local historian Thomas Hampson described the original Two Lads as the graves of two children of a Saxon king, Edgar. He recorded that Winter Hill was previously known as Edgar Hill.

Another legend exists that the cairns mark the site on which two boys lost their way on the moor. They reportedly died of exposure in a snowstorm.

But there’s an entirely different theory – that they are named after two boys who possibly could have been working in the mines who died on the moors going to work or coming home. However, historians have questioned how likely two boys could die on the moors as the mines and collieries made the moorland a busy place.

The future of the cairns

In May, The Woodland Trust, who manage the Smithills Estate, which includes the ‘Two Lads’ is holding a series of community design meetings with interested members of the public to share how they plan to restore and preserve the cairn. A spokesperson for the trust, said: “We are planning to restore Two Lads securely to deter vandalism and make the monument safer for visitors.

“We understand the local significance and the important memories people hold of the site. “The plan is to preserve the cairn’s history for as long as possible.

“The restoration process has no set plans as of yet and we will be hosting community consultations to influence and guide our restoration plan.”

Only 35 minutes from Manchester, Winter Hill, home to the huge telecommunications mast, is a popular walking destination, particularly around Easter. At this time of year, many visitors also enjoy a seasonal walk to the nearby Rivington Pike.

One route to to the Two Lads landmark includes starting from Walker Fold car park, across the Smithills Estate and up to the moorland, a walk of around 1.7 miles. The Woodland Trust said for those fortunate enough to visit on a clear day, the panorama from the Two Lads can be truly spectacular, arguably one of the finest in the north west.

From the summit, you can spot natural wonders such as Ribble Estuary, the rugged beauty the Peak District, the vast expanse of the Irish Sea, and the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales. Also in view is the dynamic skyline of Manchester, punctuated by its towering skyscrapers, alongside the the ever expanding high-rise horizon of Salford Quays.

To the west, the Blackpool Tower stands proudly, while the Bolton Wanderers’ stadium can be seen closer to the horizon. The vantage point also offers an opportunity to observe a diverse array of wildlife that inhabit the moors.

Depending on the season, visitors might witness wildlife such as curlew, wagtails, lapwings and kestrels. The community design meetings on the plan to restore and preserve the Two Lad’s cairn are being held on Tuesday, May 6 (7pm-8.30pm) at Horwich Community Centre and Thursday, May 15 (7pm-8.30pm) at Smithills Hall.

An online meeting is also being held on Tuesday, May 13 from 7pm. Booking is essential with tickets available from Eventbrite by searching ‘Woodland Trust North’.