Winter Hill Trespass

“Will yo’ come o’ Sunday morning, for a walk o’er Winter Hill?” asked poet Allen Clarke in the 1896 song in support of the workers who had risen up against a local landowner and demanded the right to roam.

The Winter Hill Trespass recently celebrated its 125 year anniversary. This art print is dedicated to those protesters and reimagines the posters inviting you to join the march.

History of the Winter Hill March

In August 1896, Colonel Richard Henry Ainsworth decided to close a well-used track that crossed his land on Winter Hill. He had his gamekeepers turn people back and build a gate to show the way was closed.

Local people took umbrage at Ainsworth’s decision. Cobbler Joe Shufflebotham, secretary of Bolton Social Democratic Foundation, advertised a march up the disputed road. On Sunday 6 September 1896, about 10,000 people joined in the march as it progressed along Halliwell Road and up the hill. A handful of gamekeepers and policy were waiting for them at the new gate but they were no match for the great mass of demonstrators. The gate was smashed and the march continued. At their destination, on the north side of Winter Hill, the protesters drank the hostelries dry.

This is the second in our 'Right to Roam' series. A matching print for the Kinder Scout Mass Trespass can be also be seen here.  Learn more about the Winter Hill march and the Right to Roam campaign. 

Giclée printed on 210gsm acid-free archival paper.