The Parish of Tottington, Bury in the County of -- Lancashire --

Tottington originally comprised all the northern part of the parish of Bury. Shuttleworth became incorporated with Walmersley through being given to the lord of Bury; Musbury and Cowpe Lench were placed in the hundred of Blackburn, and in the 17th or 18th century what remained of Tottington was divided into two parts—the Lower End and the Higher End, south and north respectively.

Tottington Lower End

The Lower End contains the village of Tottington, with the hamlets of Woolfold, Bolholt, and Walshaw in the south; Affetside and Hawkshaw in the west; Green Mount, Holcombe Brook, Redisher, Hazelhurst, and Holcombe in the centre, and Brooksbottom, Nuttall, Nuttall Lane, and Ramsbottom (with Tanners and Carr to its west) in the north-east, along the Irwell, which there in general forms the boundary. The population of the present township of Tottington was 6,118 in 1901.

Tottington Higher End

The northern part of the old township stretches along the border of the hundred for over 4 miles. It is divided by the Irwell. On the west side of the river the ground rises quickly to Bull Hill on the west, 1,372 ft., from which fine views may be obtained; the valley on the northern slope of this hill was called Alden. Alden Brook is the boundary of the township and hundred. The hamlets of Stubbins and Lumb lie near the Irwell, with Red Lees and Buckden to the west. On the east side the ground also rises, though not so rapidly, the northern border of the township and hundred being formed by the crest of a hill, which on the boundary of Rochdale attains a height of 1,550 ft., being there known as Hailstorm Hill. The high lands are occupied by Dearden and Tottington Moors. On the western slope of this eminence is the village of Edenfield, with Newhall to the east, Chatterton to the west, Hardsough and Crow Woods to the north-west, and Balladen and Horncliffe to the north. Tottington Higher End has now ceased to exist as a township, having been divided between Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall, and Haslingden.