River Dane and Congleton Park

Wednesday 12 August 5.5 miles

Tracey, Jane, Donna and Hilary

Very warm weather! The walk suggested it could be muddy in places but there was no chance because of the dry weather.

The walk started at the Wagon and Horses in Eaton. We went through the garden and out of the gate at the back. We crossed roads, walked fields, crossed small bridges, followed streams and through gates until we came to the Congleton bypass. We followed the track to the underpass until we came to another underpass coming to Moss Lane passing newer houses. 

Havannah Lane lead down to the River Dane and Congleton Hydro. From the bridge we could see the weir which is grade 11 listed. As there was no path across the bridge we were in the road so of course a delivery lorry came through just then, so we had to quickly move across the bridge, we went back again to look at the weir and the lorry returned to cross the bridge as we were once again in the middle!

We followed the Dane through some playing fields, along the road and passed industrial units reaching the park. We decided to have lunch in the park (before 12!!) sitting on a bench by the bowling green. Sitting on some benches in the shade was pleasant.

There were some colourful flowers in the formal gardens and quite a few people enjoying the warm weather in the park. We crossed the Pavilion bridge over the Dane an followed the riverside path to the main road, going up Rood Hill to the traffic lights, crossed over the road to go into the woods behind the houses. We had glimpses of Westlow Mere on the left hand side. 

We came to Giantswood Lane following the road, there were a group of men putting tiles on a roof on one of the houses. Then we took the bridge over the bypass and passed a house being built. Crossing fields and streams and the standing stones we passed Brick House Farm going on paths along the drive to reach the lane. 

We followed the lane for a while and came back to School Lane, and along the path to the pub.

We went to The Old Barn Cafe, Marton and had an icecream each - 2 peaches and cream, 1 honeycomb and 1 raspberry ripple.