Forest View Walk

Saturday 9 November 6.5 miles

Jane, Tracey and Hilary

There were no spaces in the Village Hall car park on Norley Road so we parked Moss Lane. We followed Moss Lane through the estate until we turned onto a footpath to join Nixon Road, and then imediately took a foot path between the houses to the left to come out onto Grange Road. We continued along this road to join Manor Road and Ash Road until we got to the A49. 

We crossed the road carefully to a kissing gate. Here we were supposed to admire the view, but it was very misty so we couldn't see too far. We came to some trees and could see a house which we went around and climbed up to the Whitegate Way. Walking along the disused railway track a short way we then turned off down some steps at the sign for Delamere Forest.

This path was between the Forestry Commision land on one side and the railway line on the other. When we reached Stoneyford Lane we turned right and stopped to look down at the railway line. We followed the lane and went up the hill until we got Gallowsclough Lane. There we went passed the Forest View Pub, and contined on the lane for half a mile and where the lane turned we followed the track straight ahead passing a farm. We turned onto the bridle way at the gate, we followed the way through the woods. 

At a junction in the woods we weren't sure which way to go so we stood there debating for a while. A few people stopped to help us but weren't sure which way to go. A lady stopped and she was able to help us. She didn't have her glasses on so she couldn't read the instructions but said to follow her, so we did. I think we were walking too slowly for her and eventually she rushed off and left us to continue on our way.

We had come back to Gallowsclough Lane and were able to make our way to the cross roads and join Fingerpost Lane. Turning right we made our way to Yearsleys Lane. Here we went off riht towards Moss Farm and walked down their track to a crossroads amd we went straight across to Moss Lane and then across the fields keeping to the restricted byway. At Beechwood Farm we walked through the farmyard and passed the nursery to Wood's Lane. Here we went left and immediately right to cross fields

We left the Delamere Way here and continued along the path up the side of the field with the gardens of the backs of the houses of Delamere Park on the right. We follwed the path behind the house through a small wood with some steps and then onto a track which lead to Cuddington Lane. Here we turned left and then riht on a concrete track. We went down the hill to Cuddington Brook and passed Merlewood Pool and onto Mill Lane. 

We turned left to follow the lane to Norley Road and across the traffic lights on the A49 and walked back to the car.

We went to Blakemere for tea, but no cake!

The Hayhurst and the Blue Bridge

Saturday19 October 6.5 miles

Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane

Good weather!!! The sun was shining.

We parked at The Hayhurst Arms. As we set off from the Hayhurst there were children playing football on the field. From Brick Kiln Lane we crossed the busy road (A533), and went up Jack Lane, then Niddries Lane, to the end of the tarmac and onto the track leading to the river.

We went under the railway bridge with water flowing along the road and it had carved a deep rut, so deep that I wouldn't want to drive that stretch of road. Then we continued and walked down to the river.

We decided we didn't want to walk across the fields as we thought it would be too muddy so continued along the river to the Blue Bridge. At the Vale Royal Locks the locks were open to let a boat through. As the river was running so fast the boat disappeared down the eiver quickly. A couple of young men who had opened and closed the locks came passed us.  

Continuing our walk along the river we passed under the railway viaduct and along the riverside path for half a mile to the Blue Bridge. Here we took the path up to the road (A556) walking towards Davenham, along Hartford Road and turned on to Mount Pleasant Road.

As we passed some bungalows we noticed quite a few cars coming out of the cul-de-sac and a sign for a playing field and decided to have a look, it was Butchers Stile Playing Field. Whatever games played had finished, and now there were dog walkers. There were benches near the swings, so had lunch sitting in the sunshine.

As we continued down the road and came to the corner and saw a sign for a footpath so we followed it. There was an attractive path alongside the estate which we followed and turned left on a road that went to London Road and then Jack Lane passing the mini roundabout and back to the A533. Crossed and made our way back to The Hayhurst.

We went to Riverside Organic where we had tea and cake (brownies and flapjack).

Cheshire Life walk

Saturday 14 September

Donna, Tracey and Hilary

We were lucky with the weather and enjoyed some sunshine. 

No rams today just some cows bulling! We walked through at least three fields of cows. 

We enjoyed a drink at the Galley Cafe at the The Aqueduct Marina.

Eaton and Luddington Hill

Saturday 17 August 6 miles

Jane, Donna and Hilary,

We started from the Fox and Barrel and from the car park we turned right and then right again following a track. By a house we turned right onto a footpath, following the path downhill though the weeds we crossed a stream to return to the A49.

At the crossroads we turned left into Oulton Mill Lane and followed the road for half a mile to a grassy triangle, where we kept right to pass a picnic area, the others didn't know that this picnic area existed. At the next crossroads we turned right on to Beech Lane and followed it for about a quarter of a mile, crossed a stile on the left. It was not clear which way to go so we climbed over the obvious stile but we soon realised that was the wrong way.

We followed the path across the fields towards a farm.We passed between the farm buildings and by Moss Hall Farm into a winding lane. At the T-junction we turned left and then immediately right over a stile.

The path then went across the field, crossing a stile in the far left-hand corner and dropped down a bank. A stile lead out to Hickhurst Lane.Turning right we followed the road into Eaton, passing the semis on the left and the sign for The Drays coffee shop on our right. In the field was a flock of sheep, as we passed we realised there was a ram attempting to mate with the ewes, but not having great success.

After the school entrance, we turned left into Winterford Lane, turned right and followed Edgewell Lane, firstly through the housing estate and then came to some half-timbered buildings.

Here we met a farmer and his son doing some tidying in the garden. We stopped for a chat, the older gentleman was quite happy to offer us a bed for the night as he had plenty of bedrooms! He had a glint in his eye when he said that!

Turning right at the end of the road, we passed the church, reaching the village cross and turning right then immediately left into Lightfoot Lane. The lane becomes a hollow way shaded by the trees and hedges and passes through a small disused stone quarry.

We came to the golf course and as we crossed the pathway we noticed some people on a bench and wondered if we could sit there. We asked if we could have our lunch there, the people said it was for members only but one of them was a member and gave us permission to sit on the bench and have our lunch.We were able to admire the view. then we continued across the golf course turning right along the byway and followed the hedge along the side of the course down to the A49. Turning right we went along the narrow pavement then,  crossed to a footpath sign by a stile on the left-hand side. We went down wooden steps to a second stile and walk down the side of the field beyond. There were loads of blackberries in the hedge here so we gathered some of the better ones for Donna to take home.

The instructions said, 'After a stile in the corner, continue to a footbridge on the left' but we struggled to find the footbridge. We walked up and down the field for quite some time but there was no way to get across the stream or the pond. Eventually we went back far enough and found the bridge hidden by the trees and brambles.

A short stretch alongside the stream lead to a stile into a field on the other side. Here there were a lot of horses in the field. We did not want to go through the field really. We managed to get across the field to the fence on the other side but the horses saw us and came over, and blocked our way. We had to push along the fence line to get to the stile beneath a tree. It was not very comfortable being up close and personal with the large animals.

There were cows in the next field but fortunately they didn't pay much attention as we followed the path alongside a narrow millpond. Towards the end of the water we turned right  to emerge on a narrow lane. We weren't quite sure which way to go, but dwe did eventually turn left and walked up the road to a T-junction. Turning right we walked along Utkinton Lane for about quarter of a mile.

We carried on along the lane past Hollins Hill on the left and Briar Lane on the right and at Stable Lane we crossed straight over and walked past the church down to the A49. We crossed the main road and turned left along the pavement to return to the Fox & Barrel.

Mangalonga

Sunday 11 August 9.5 miles

Jane and Hilary

We travelled to Ludlow, found somewhere to park and made our way to Ludlow Brewing. We signed in and picked up some crisps and water.

We started the walk going through the town, passing the market and the castle. Then over the River Teme on the bridge to climb up the hill.

Stop One - Scotch Egg and Cider

Stop Two - Beef Bap and Beer

Stop Three - Chocolate Brownie and Icecream and Ludow Gin

Back at Ludlow Brewing was Stop Four - Cheese and Biscuits and Beer 

Then it was back to the car park and time to head for home. 

Primrose Hill and Utkinton

 Wednesday 17 July 6.25 miles

Tracey and Jane 

Nice weather but still we question what to wear!! Once again because it had been raining we didn't know how muddy it was going to be.

We started at Gresty's Waste, joining the Sandstone Trail going down the steps and across the footbridge. We left the Sandstone Trail as we entered the wood to follow the edge of open fields. We could hear announcements on the tannoy so there was obviously an event going on at the Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, although we couldn't see what it was. Some horses past us on the gallop.

We came to the bottom of a small valley where we lost the path as the pond was right across our way, there was a path on our right but seemed to be overgrown with no obvious way through so we returned to the main path to see if we could find another way. We couldn't find one so we followed the overgrown path and pushed through the plants and came to the Urchin’s Kitchen (a sandstone outcrop), which the instructions had given you thr option to go and view. Tracey found a pathway across the water and up the other bank then we found our way back to the main path. Phew!

We followed a few forestry tracks until we came to the entrance to Primrose Hill House, although we couldn't see the house.We continued along the driveway until we came to a road. Here we took the road opposite (Tirley Lane) until we reached Utkinton passing the school to reach John Street. Then we went past the village hall on the left, then past the war memorial and bus stop.

We crossed some fields and tracks following the Sandstone Trail again.We came to Tirley Road and where it bends left, we took the footpath going along the side of a single-storey building (formerly a tearoom which we did visit years ago when it was open). We crossed a few fields and came back into the woods following the Sandstone Trail until we got back to Gresty's Waste.

We went Tarporley Garden Centre for two teas and cappuccino cakes.

Get together

Saturday 29 June 

Gawsworth Hall - A Night of Queen

Whitegate Station walk

Saturday 22 June 4.75 miles

Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane

The weather had got a bit warm but sudden downpours were forecast, so there was the usual chat about what to wear. There was no forecast for rain so we just took fleeces in case it was cool in the morning.

This was a bit of a see where we go walk!! We started at Whitegate Station, and walked towards Winsford. We found the crossing path that came out onto Dalefords Lane. We saw the footpath sign for the path going across the fields to Beauty Bank, at the bend we turned right down what seemed like a path. We walked a little way down what seemed like a path but it disappeared, so had to returned to Beauty Bank and continued passed the houses.

Seeing the sign for a footpath we turned right and followed the footpath between the houses across the fields to Foxwist Green. As we were making it up as we went along we weren't sure which way to go. We met a man with a bike and asking if he knew if there was a footpath somewhere, he thought he had seen a footpath sign back the way he had come. He had been up to a farm to get his bike fixed.

Going down the road we came to a footpath sign and followed it. There was a llama in the field near the farmhouse. Continuing along the path we could hear a man cutting a hedge. We stopped to have a chat, he was keeping the holiday cottage garden tidy. It was fortunate that he had been cutting the hedge because it was a bit of a squeeze to get along the path, the hedge on the other side was overgrown.

At the end of the path we turned right onto Cinder Lane and walked to Whitegate Primary School and turned right into Grange Lane. Where the main road turned into Mill Lane we followed Grange Lane to go alongside the river, there were quite a few weeds when we got to the path.  It was pleasant to walk along side the Pettypool Brook eventually leading to the Whitegate Way. Here we climbed up the bank to join the path and walked along it to go back to the car.

We had tea and cake at the Station Cafe.

 

 

The Hayhurst Arms, Moulton and the River Weaver

Saturday 11 May 5.5 miles

Carol, Hilary and Jane

The weather had brightened up so we wondered if we would be too hot. Fortunately there were some high clouds in the morning so that was good. We set off from the Hayhurst Arms where some young boys and girls were playing football.

From Brick Kiln Lane we crossed the busy road (A533), and went up Jack Lane, then Niddries Lane, to the end of the tarmac and onto the track. There were quite a few cars going along the track.

As we walked down the track a farmer was ploughing his field using a blue tractor. We went under the railway bridge and down to the river. 

Walking along the river was quite pleasant as there was still some cloud about. Having arrived at the Vale Royal Locks we looked about for somewhere to sit. We decided it was lunch time, but as it was quite bright and exposed we sat on the little triangle of grass under the trees. A couple of people on paddle boards came by and had to get themselves and their boards out of the water to navigate the locks.

From here we took the footpath going across the fields, we could see that the path had been very wet but fortunatley for us it had pretty much dried out. We crossed over the railway line and as the sun was now shining brightly we put on some more suntan lotion. We continued along the path to come back to Moulton. We followed the track along the edge of the houses back to Niddries Lane, then onto Jack Lane and back to the Hayhurst. 

We sat outside under an umbrella and had cups of tea and Carol had two scoops of icecream, one was marmalade and the other was honeycomb.

The Blue Bridge

Saturday 13 April 4 Miles

Donna, Tracey and Jane

We were hoping for some sunny weather for a change - but of course it was raining as we started off.

We parked on the car park just off the A566 by the Blue Bridge that goes over the River Weaver. We did wonder whether to put on our waterproof trousers but it seemed to have stopped raining so we didn't.

Following Vale Royal Drive we walked through the woods. After about half a mile, we passed under the Vale Royal railway viaduct. We stayed on the drive goin passed Vale Royal Abbey, beyond the main house we followed the road passed the gabled former stables on the left. We picked up a track that continued ahead through a gate. Ignoring crossing paths, we followed the track towards Whitegate village.

At Sutton Field we turned into Church Wood, owned by the Woodland Trust. We went right at the noticeboard and followed the main path, ignoring turnings to right and left. There were people working in the woods cutting down trees and sawing the branches. At the wall we turned left by a footpath sign. Along this path we met more people cutting down trees, they were volunteers working for the Woodland Trust. Donna knew one of the men in the group as she had happened be on holiday in the same place as he was a few years ago. we continued to the end of the path then turned right onto St Mary’s Drive.

There was a path which we had to look out for which went between the houses to a gate and onto the golf course. There people playing golf so we had to be careful and look out for the crossing of paths an look out for the yellow waymark. We walked by a pond trying to make sure we stayed on the waymarked path. Almost immediately, we turned right into Rookery Wood and dropped downhill using the steps to a footbridge.We followed the path to the far side of the wood, it was a bit muddy in places, especialy just at the place where we were to leave the wood.

We followed the path diagonally across the field, there were small plants growing in the field but in some places where there had been puddles nothing was growing. Then we followed the path through the woods back to Vale Royal Drive, and at the gate turned right  to continue to cross the two bridges over Vale Royal Locks. Turning left on the far bank and, beyond the locks.  As we walked along the river the rain started again, so we did get a bit wet. We passed under the railway viaduct again and continued along the riverside path for half a mile back to Blue Bridge.  Here we took the path up to the road and walked over the Blue Bridge back to the car. 

We travelled along the A556 to Blakemere and sat in the car and had our sandwiches. We had a wander around looking at the antiques. Then had tea and coffee, and Donna had a scone, and Tracey was disappointed that they had run out of the cake she wanted.

 

The Roaches and Lud's Church

Wednesday 13 March 6.25 miles

Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary.

The weather was not very promising as it had been raining alot! I thought the ground might be a bit drier being high up - but it wasn't!

We parked in one of the laybys on Roach Road. Then we walked quite a long way along Roach Road. There highland cows in a field by the entrance to a farm, so we crossed the cattle grid and took some photos.

After passing a lane on our left we continued on Clough Head Lane until we got to a gate across the road and then we turned off. The green track we joined wasn't too bad to start with but when we got to the gate it was very muddly and wet. It was easier to climb over the gate than try to open it.

Where there was a crossing point in the paths we found shelter from the wind by a wall and had some lunch (before 12 o'clock!). We went down the hill towards the trees, and turned at the sign for Lud's Church. There were plenty of boards to walk on here.

Lud's Church is a deep chasm and has loads of steep steps so we had to be careful.

The return woodland path was very muddy, and we had to negiate every part of it, the path was being made wider and wider just to try and stay out of the puddles and find some drier parts. The rain started as we were going through the woods.

We could hear children playing as we climbed up from the woods to the road. We decided it might be a school, we could see a couple of children playing football with an adult. it is marked on the map as a school.

As we walked up to Roach End we could see the clouds were swirling over the Ridge so we decided to return by the lower road, we took Clough Head Lane. We could see Tittesworth Reservoir in the distance, the optical illusion made it seem closer than it actually was, so I kept wondering if we were on the right road. 

We missed out on walking the Roaches which was a shame.

Having returned to the car we went to the Roaches Tea Room and had 3 teas and bakewell tarts and 1 coffee and a rocky road, as the rocky road was quite large half of it went home!

 

Year Eighteen Summary

Walk 1: March 25 2023 Pickmere Radio Telescope 6.3 miles Tracey and Jane

Walk 2: April 30 2023 Wedgwood's Monument 6 miles Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary 

Walk 3: May 28 2023 Redesmere 6 miles Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane

Walk 4: June 11 2023 Goostrey 4.5 miles Carol, Hilary, Tracey, Jane and Donna

Walk 5: Sept 2 2023 Tabley Estate and Holford Moss 6.2 miles Tracey, Jane and Hilary 

Walk 6: Oct 14 2023 4.5 miles Petty Pool and the Whitegate Way Jane and Hilary

Walk 7: Nov 11 2023 Donna’s Walk Donna, Tracey and Hilary

Walk 8: Dec 9 2023 5 miles Marbury Park and The Canal Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary

Walk 9: Jan 17 2024 Tatton Park 6 miles Hilary, Tracey and Jane

Walk 10: Feb 17 2024 Sandbach Flashes and the River Wheelock. 6 Miles Tracey, Jane and Hilary.