Chelford and Lapwing Hall Lake nature reserve

Saturday 7 November 5.5 miles

Donna, Tracey, Jane and Hilary

It was hard to know what the temperature was going to be as we woke to fog. We were lucky as the sun came out making a beautiful autumn day. 

We parked near the end Lapwing Lane where there were a couple of horse trucks.

There was sunshine by the time we parked the car.

We took the gate opposite Woodside Cottage. Follow the path with views to the left over the former Acre Nook Sand Quarry.

Over the fields were views to the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. 

followed the bridleway

walked along road for three-quarters of a mile. Lots of groups of cyclists passed us as well as a few cars.

We looked for Whisterfield Cottage, and turned left through a kissing gate.  

As we began to follow a path between fences a dog passed us, soon afterwards its owner caught up and went ahead of us. At one point we passed a large group of young cows, some were interested and came over to us.

lunch in sunshine sitting by the path on longer tufts of grass. There were beads of water in the grass but as we had mats to sit on we didn't get wet.

we were able to take a path running alongside the road, separated from it only by the hedge  

we took the bridleway on the left 

We turned right through a gate onto a permissive path going around the Lapwing Hall Lake nature reserve. 

We had intermittent views over the water through the fenced off area, further around the lake there was a gap where we did see ducks, a swan and a heron. The walk in the Cheshire Life magazine was called 'In Search of the Smew' - as we were at the wrong time of the year we didn't see any smew.

 We went through a kissing gate onto Lapwing Lane and back to the car.

 went to Goostrey Home and Leisure tea room  - 3 cream teas and 1 posh hot chocolate

Weston Park

Saturday 3 October

Jane, Hilary and Donna

The Rose Paterson Art Gallery, Weston Park.

The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers organises a National Exhibition every two years to showcase the skills and creativity of members of guilds across the UK. The theme for this year’s National Exhibition is ‘A Festival of Flora and Fauna’. Exhibits included bunting and specially selected items.

It wasn't clear from the website if the garden would be open plus we would have to pay to get in, but we managed to visit the garden as one of the ladies helping at the exhibition got us in for free! 

Middlewich Canal

Saturday 5 September 5 and 6 miles

Hilary and Jane

We started at Glastonbury Drive and went down Nantwich Road to the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. We followed the canal path to bridge 25.

On crossing the bridge we went along a track and then across some fields onto the Nantwich Road. We crossed the road and made our way to School Lane, following the lane to the corner where we then joined the path to Hopley House. We had a look around and returned along the path to School Lane crossing to the path that leads to Sutton Lane.

We stopped to have lunch by the bridge over the River Wheelock as there was a bit of grass by a gate that we could sit on. Then we continued up Sutton Lane where split up to go home.

 

 

 

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.

 

Buxton

Wednesday 1 July to Friday 3 July

Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary 

Wednesday - Town Walk 

We started at the Buxton Visitor Centre (The Pump Room), but couldn't find a walk. Looking on my phone I found the Buxton Heritage walk, starting at the Crescent, so we followed the walk. 

Thursday - Chee Valley walk + Les Liaisons Dangereuses 

Whilst we were so close it seemed a good idea to walk the Chee Dale stepping stones on the River Wye, hidden away just 3 miles from Buxton. The Chee Dale stepping stones are unusual in that they run along the side of the river rather than crossing it, and are often overhung by the cliffs above. 

In the evening we went to watch Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Pavilion Arts Centre. It was a National Theatre Live production with Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner.

Friday - Buxton Well Dressing + Solomon's Temple 

As we had seen the Well Dressing at the Market Place we decided to have a look at the other wells. Such a lot of work goes into them! We had some lunch in town and then parked up the hill, then walked up to Solomon’s Temple Where there was a good view from the top.

 

Tiverton

Saturday 13 June 6 miles

Jane and Hilary 

The forecast earlier in the week was for sunny and warmer weather but it did not materialise. The day started cloudy and dull, seeming like it might rain. We put on a fleeces and jackets to start the walk. The sunny weather came later but the wind was still cool. We were taking layers off and putting them on again!

Parked in the car park behind The Rising Sun. 

Lots of the paths were overgrown particularly with brambles, some with nettles, so we had to push through them.

Birds - lapwings, swifts, a woodpecker and a wagtail.

There were quite a few fields growing corn, it was fairly easy to find our way through at the moment but once the plants are tall it might be difficult to see the path.

Highland cows in one field, one looked at us as we got nearer and then went back to munching. 

Passed a tent under a tree as we walked along the tow path towards the lock. I wondered if someone homeless was living there. We had our lunch sitting by the Beeston Cast Iron Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal. On our way back to the main road a young lad with a dog was packing up the tent and by the time we got back to the bridge he had packed up his rucksack and was on his way.

Walked through Tiverton 

On Birch Heath Road we met an older lady doing some gardening

A field with cows in it with them all sitting down so we skirted around the majority of them 

Ginger and Pickles for tea and carrot cake and a hot chocolate with all the trimmings.

Winterley Pool

Saturday 16 May 5.5 miles

Donna, Tracey and Hilary 

Ashton Hayes Circular

Wednesday 8 April 5 miles

Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane 

What glorious weather!!!

We parked on Peel Hall Lane as it is was quiet road. We walked towards the Golden Lion pub and onto Kelsall Road going past the village community shop. We went further along Kelsall road to catch a glimpse of the Grade II* listed, seventeenth-century Ashton Hall farmhouse.

Then we went back to Duck Lane and on to Shay Lane farm track, it was muddy in places. Vehicles had obviously been along the lane as there were ruts, but I am not sure how as some of the ruts were so deep. 

It was very nice going down the tree lined track, as it was quiet so we were able to listen to the birds singing. 

We came out onto Longley Lane in places we could see across the fields but it was too misty to see the Welsh hills.

We took the permissible path off the road and went into the field and followed the path around the edge of the field with the tall fir trees, we could see there were sheep and lambs in the next field. As we followed the hedge we found a sheep had escaped from the field. We found the stile in the hedge and followed the farm track. We met a farmer opening the gate to move some animals so we told him about the sheep that had escaped.

Having crossed a field we came out onto Brines Brow Lane then turned onto Old Lane, and took the fork onto Grange Lane. 

We sat on some stones for lunch, it was really part of someone’s drive, a woman with a dog came through the field, I think it was the owner of the driveway but she didn't seem to mind that we were there. 

A dustbin lorry came along the lane, I was glad we were sitting to one side as the lane wasn't very wide so there would not have been much space for the lorry and us walkers. We met a man with his son further down Grange lane and he commented on how fast vehicles went on such a narrow lane. 

As we walked along the lane could see some of the glamping tents through the trees. We went to the end of Grange Lane where there were noisy rooks in the trees.

We turned left towards Ashton Hays, and crossed the road to a path going across the fields and we came to Gongar Lane. Here we crossed over the road to the track leading to Peel Hall. The Hall is a Grade II* listed mansion house was built in 1637. 

There were horses in the fields next to the track. We followed the path around the back of the Hall and came out onto Peel Hall Lane walking along the road a short distance back to the car.

We went into Tarvin and found the cafe @Number 50 that Hilary wanted to visit and had tea and carrot cake, coffee cake and shortbread. 

Grappenhall and the Dingle

Wednesday 25 March 5.75 miles

Tracey, Jane, Donna and Hilary 

Parked at the London Bridge Inn, Stockton Heath

Weather - hailstones!!

The Bridgewater canal 

Grappenhall Woods 

Lunch sitting on a stone

The Dingle + Lumb Brook Valley

The Hollies Cafe tea + coffee + cake + pancakes and bacon 

Year Twenty Summary

Walk 1: March 15 2025 Danebridge Wincle Grange and Wild Boar Inn 6 miles Jane and Hilary

Walk 2: April 23 2025 Lumb Brook Valley 7 miles Jane Tracey and Hilary

Walk 3: May 17 2025 Astbury Mere Carol, Hilary, Donna and Tracey

Walk 4: June 5 2025 Swinford Mill and Manley Old Hall 6miles Tracey, Donna and Hilary 

 

Walk 5: Aug 6 2025 A Minshull Meander 5.25 miles Donna, Jane and Hilary

 

Walk 6: Aug 10 2025 Mangalonga 7 miles Jane and Hilary

 

Walk 7: Sept 2-3 2025 Wales Donna, Tracey and Hilary

 

Walk 8: Oct 1 2025 Great Barrow and Plemstall 6.9 miles Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane 

Walk 9: Nov 5 2025 Pickmere Radio Telescope 6 miles Jane, John, Donna and Martin

Walk 10: Feb 14 2026 Sandbach Crosses, River Wheelock and the Trent & Mersey 6 Miles + Planning Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary

 

Sandbach Crosses, River Wheelock and the Trent & Mersey

Saturday 14 February

Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary 

We woke to a sunshiny but cold morning. After all the rain it was lovely to see blue skies.

We parked in Wheelock on the small car park on Mill Lane (just off Crewe Road) fortunately Donna knew about it as I wasn't sure where to park.

We walked back towards the canal and went down some steps to the side of the canal and along the canal to turn left and follow the path through the woods, crossing the quite fast flowing stream twice.

From the mill we followed paths between houses and onto roads which meant we didn't need to walk on the main road. We came out onto the A533

into Sandbach and it was Makers market day by the crosses. Had a taste of gin.  

Frosty and muddy in places. Where the sun had warmed the earth a little the ice on puddles was breaking up. 

Bradwell Bakery - tea, coffee, hot chocolate and some bread based sweet things. 

Get together

Saturday 13 December 

We booked a table for a Christmas meal and entertainment at Nunsmere Hall Hotel.

Pickmere

Wednesday 5 November 5 miles

The splinter group - Jane, John, Donna and Martin

The forecast was for plenty of rain and even some sunshine! Luckily for us it didn't rain and the sun did try and shine.

I decided to start the walk at the Red Lion, Park Lane, Pickmere, as The Smoker is out of action after a fire.  

From the Red Lion we crossed Pickmere Lane to join Spink Lane.

We crossed a few fields. As we were about to emerge onto Linnards Lane the rain started to get a bit heavier so waterproofs were put on. Going left we followed the lane and crossed Smoker Brook and came to the A556. The road was quite busy and noisy.

We past by The Smoker all still wrapped up after the fire. We turned off the A556 and went up towards Smoker Hill Cottage and joined a track heading towards the radio telescope.We walked past the Pickmere Radio Telescope,  We continued past Providence Farm with the fat sheep and onto Milley Lane.

We came to Frog Lane and turned left following the road, passing a women with a dog in a buggy, from a distance we had thought it would be a child!

At a junction, with a large pond to we turned left, going along Park Lane. After a short while, turned right into Mere Lane, walking down to Jacob’s Way, where a right turn brought us down to the lake.  

Pickmere looked pretty in the sunshine. We started to walk around the lake it was a bit muddy in places. A woman with some dogs told us that the path on the other side of the lake was now closed off. We continued along the muddy path a short way to the bungalow and decided to return and find somewhere to sit for lunch.

As we walked back the lake was very calm, there was a guy who had just come out of the water and he said that the water wasn't too cold. 

We went up the hill from the water and found some benches where we could sit and admire the view over the lake with Great Budworth in the distance. 

We walked back up Mere Lane and joined Park Lane following the road, back to the Red Lion. A large Robinsons lorry backed expertly into the entrance, which is at an ackward angle. 

We went to Riverside Organic and sat on the soft sofas and had tea and coffee. 

 

Curry Night

Friday 3 October

Donna and Martins's for a get together.

Each couple took a curry.  

Great Barrow and Plemstall

Wednesday 1 October 6.9 miles

Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane 

It was cool in the morning with a little drizzle in the air, so it was hard to know how many layers to put on. The weather warmed up later and we were lucky again as the rain stayed away.

We parked by the Stamford Bridge, then turned left onto Barrow Lane. We turned right onto a signposted footpath a little way along the road and followed the hedge to a footbridge. The walk suggested that after prolonged rain  the low-lying meadows might be impassably flooded, fortunately for us it wasn't too wet. We walked straight ahead but the ground did get very wet so we couldn't walk that way. Then we noticed a path made by the sheep to the side so we followed that pathway and made it past the boggy bit with the bullrushes.

Then we headed towards the Great Barrow church tower and when we got to Barrow Lane we headed through the village. The road was closed to traffic and holes were being dug in the road.

As we came to the cross roads we turned into Ferma Lane, going past Greyfields, a large mock-Tudor house and onto the track. We came to a junction and turned right to follow a hedged track towards Fema Wood. When we got to Ferma Wood we weren't sure if we should go through the wood but we decided the we shouldn't (it was not clear from the instructions). Hilary had provided written instructions but no map, so we had to make the decisions from the written word.

We continued on the track The instructions said about a kissing gate so when we came to a gate we took the one to the left and when we came to 'a farm bridge' we thought we were on the right path.

We walked across a field, aiming towards some farm building, and when we got to the River Gowy we turned right and followed the river to a stile. There were some cows right in our path but Hilary just told them to 'shoo' and they did! The bridge we were to cross was hidden behind trees so we nearly walked past it.  We crossed left over the Gowy and past between the fields with a few horses in them.

At the farm we turned right along the drive, and crossed the railway at a level crossing. Then going left to reach Plemstall Church. We then retraced our steps to the footpath, but took the path on the left over a stile and continued on the fenced path to cross the Gowy again. Here we saw some men in yellow jackets wandering around the field, they were accessing the field for pipework. When we reached the grassy track we turned right and went through the farmyard. We came to Barrow Lane and turned right and walked up the hill. 

Hilary remembered that a friend had moved around here so went and knocked on a door, fortunately it was the correct one. We had a look around the garden and sat at the table on the patio and had a cup of tea. The garden had an open aspect at the back and looked out onto the lovely cheshire countryside.

We walked up the hill and over the railway turning left onto Broomhill Lane, following the lane to the T-junction where we did a left and right. Then we crossed fields and a grassy track to join Hollowmore Heath. Turning right through a kissing gate we crossed fields to reach Heath Lane.

We were supposed to look out for a water treatment works but we didn't and by the time we realised we should have turned off he road we had gone too far, so we just carried on along Heath Lane and at the junction with Village Road turned left to reach Mill Lane. Here we found the 'permissive path' which took us behind the church across the fields and we rejoined the path we had started on. As it was too wet to head off through the middle of the field we found the paths that the sheep were using and made our way around, the sheep moving away as we came close to them. We followed the footpath to Barrow Lane and back the the pub.