Saturday 2nd June 2007
No organised walk.
Thursday 7th June 2007
Along the River Weaver, Kingsley and Around Frodsham.
Distance: 11 - 13 miles. Climb: Not a lot, but probably more than we think.
Start: Centre car park on the south side of the railway station.
Grid ref: SJ519779.
To get to the car park from Chester. Turn right at the traffic lights in the centre of Frodsham (traffic lights with the Bears Paw Pub on the left and the Golden Lion on the right). After a short distance turn left by the Helter Skelter Wine Bar. Follow the road round past a recycling centre to a large car park.
This walk is not taken from any book, so we will just following footpaths on the OS map. The initial part of the walk takes us through the north side of Frodsham, partly on the Eddisbury Way to the Weaver Navigation System. Here we will follow the riverside footpath for 3-4 miles. The Weaver is a good place to see water birds, so don't forget to bring your binoculars with you. After leaving the river we will take field paths to reach the village of Kingsley where we will follow the Eddisbury Way back to Frodsham.
After walk drinks will be in the Helter Skelter Wine Bar. Despite its name, it does have a good choice of real ale and cider.
Saturday 9th June 2007
Saddleworth Edges.
Distance: 8 - 9 miles. Climb: 1200'
Start: Binn Green car park. Grid ref: SE017045
To get to the car park/pic-nic site.
The car park is just off the A635 Stalybridge to Holmefirth road. There are two possible routes to get on to the A635.
One route uses the motorways and the other just A roads.
The motorway route uses the M53 from Chester then the M56 towards Manchester/Stockport.
The M60 is then taken as far as the Stalybridge junction (Junction 23). From Junction turn left and then right at the next lights following signs for the A635(Staylybridge/Saddleworth/Holmfirth/Sheffield).
The parking area is about two miles after Greenfield (or the left turn for the centre (don't take this turning)).
The alternative route uses the A51 to Tarvin. The a54 to Northwich. The A556 to Knutsford. The a557 to Macclesfield. The A523 to Hazel Grove. The A627 to Marple. Glossop. and the A624 to Stalybridge, and picking up the A635 at Stalybridge heading for Saddleworth/Holmfirth.
I suggest that we leave Chester at 8-00 a.m. We may decide to go in convoy, but if needed we can arrange that nearer the time.
This walk is taken from Mark Richard's book "High Peak Walks", and is the first of three planned for this area.
He describes this walk as one of the best in northern Peakland, a veritable feast for the eyes. Here deep valleys rimmed with bold craggy edges and three silver sheets of water fill the vale with one set high upon the moor for good measure. He also says that he always looks forward to renewing his aquaintance with this delectable corner of the Peak District.
I only hope it lives up to Mark Richard's descriptions.
Thursday 14th June 2007
Frodsham Marshes and Around Helsby Hill
Frodsham Marshes and Around Helsby Hill
This walk was postponed due to the weather. The organiser didn't want to get wet.
The walk will be rearranged on a new date, probably in August or September.
Distance: 8 miles + the distance around Frodsham Marshes that we choose to walk. Climb: Not a lot, but probably more than we think.Start: Centre car park on the south side of the railway station.
Grid ref: SJ519779.
This is a walk taken from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and Wirral".
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m. and meet in the car park at Frodsham.
This walk starts with a short circuit around Frodsham Marshes and the areas used by the Manchester Ship canal dredging Company to get deposit their dredged mud. These spots are often a good spot for waders. I've also seen stoats catching rabbits here too. The main part of the walk is taken Jen Darlings book "More Pub walks in Cheshire and the Wirral", and starts near the Netherton Hall pub. My contacts say we should stick with the Helter Skelter for after walk drinks! The walk passes the memorial to Jack Baker the Frodsham walker who devised the Sandstone Trail and Baker way. The walk uses parts of these two trails. The walk also reaches the summit of Helsby hill which at only 464' still gives superb panoramic views.
Saturday 16th June 2007
The White Shark. A Classic White Peak Walk!
Distance: 12- 13 miles; 2100'.
Start: Longnor car park. Grid ref: SK088649.
To get to Longnor follow the A51 towards Nantwich. Then the A500 towards Stoke on Trent. Then the A53 to Leek. From Leek take the A523 road to Ashbourne. At the Green Man Pub. turn on to the B5053 to Onecote, Warsow and Longnor. In Longnor turn right and the new car park is on the right. The alternative parking area is on the cobbled square in the centre of Longnor.
This walk is one we did quite a few years ago, on a day that we first experienced the delights of the Wilkes Head in Leek.
The walk is taken from the Trail Magazine. It suggest that the walk takes 6.5 hours, but I expect that we will take a little longer!
The route also allows us to visit Pilsbury Castle, missed
on the walk that Celia gashed her leg. We won't be revisiting the stile that caused the damage!!
The second part of the walk includes Chrome Hill and Parkhorse Hill. New access might allow us to explore the summits of these two minor peaks. David Ogle author of this walk says of this walk " Amazingly, on the edge of the fluffy White Peak, a pair of shark's fin ridges give extra bite to a trip around scenic dales. all I can say is wow." He also describes this walk as "little", but at over 12 miles I can't agree with him on that one!
Thursday 21st June 2007
Rostherne Mere and Tatton Park
Distance: 8 miles + whatever we decide when walking round Tatton park Grounds.
Start at Tatton Park car park. Grid ref: SJ743823.
Don't forget to bring your valid Cheshire Tatton Park Pass if you have one. Between us we could ahve upto four (Martyn, Celia, Dave J and Tito). We'll need them to get free parking! If you are a National Trust Member bring your card too.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
The OS map for the route has arrived, so the walk will go ahead as planned.
Route to Tatton Park.
Take the A51 from Chester to Tarvin.
The A54 Tarvin to Kelsall.
The A556 Kelsall to Northwhich. Follows this road beyond the M6 as far as Mere.
At Mere turn right onto the A50, then left onto the. A5034. After few hundred yards turn right onto a minor road by a lodge. The entrance to Tatton Park is on the right after a little more than a mile.
The first part of this walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "Best Walks in Cheshire". The walk visits the village of Rostherne where the church lychgate is reputed to be the oldest in England. Rostherne Mere is a good bird watching place, but unfortunately the best view points have restricted access to permit holders. Our best opportunities for nature watching will probably be as we go round the grounds and meres in Tatton Park. The route also passes Booth Bank Farm, a place where John Wesley stayed, and preached from beneath an oak tree. This ancient oak tree still stands infront of the farm house today.
Saturday 23rd June 2007
Black Hill - a Dark Peak Challenge!
Distance: 11 miles. Climb: 1100'.
Start at a car park off the A635 in a lane opposite an old hotel called the Isle of Skye Hotel.
Grid ref: SE077075. This will probably be the start point, since it is a little nearer than Digley Reservoir, and we will have to go passed it to get to Digley anyway.
or
Digley Reservoir. Grid ref:SE111073.
To get to the car park near the site of the old Isle of Sky Hotel, follow the route to the Binn Green car park (see Saddlworth Edges route on the 9th June 2007 above). The car park is on the next minor road on the left after about 3-4 miles after the Binn Green car park.
This is another walk from Mark Richard's book "High Peak Walks". He describes Black Hill as a much maligned tract of wild moorland. We will see! This walk as well as visiting the summit of Black Hill at 1908' also visits five reservoirs. It may be worthwhile bringing binoculars, if the moors are as wild as he suggests, then we may have a chance of seeing moorland birds like Golden Plovers and even Hen Harriers. The walk also follows part of the Pennine Way Alternative Route and goes close to the Holme Moss transmitter station. Some of the route described is on pathless terrain, so it should be interesting. However we do have the transmitter mass to aim for. I only hope that the heather, bilberry bushes and tussocks of grass are not too much of a challenge for us, and the sheep tracks are easy to follow!
Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m.
Thursday 28th June 2007
Delamere Forest
Distance: 10 miles:
Start: Barnbridge Gates car park. Grid ref: SJ542716.
This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and Wirral".
Leave Chester at 9-00 am.m. and meet in the Barnbridge Gates car park.
To get to the start point take the A51 from Chester to Tarvin. Then take the B5393 (Ashton Lane) left through Ashton towards Mouldsworth. Take the second turn on the right, just before entering Mouldsworth, to Delamere and hatchmere. The car park is on the right after about 2 miles.
Most of us will have walked these paths several times in the past, but not often when there likely to free from running children. Again the whole route should give good bird spotting opportunities, especially as we go close to Linmere, Flaxmere and Hatchmere. Don't forget to bring your binoculars with you.
Saturday 30th June 2007
Around Lyme Park
Distance: 10 miles; Climb: unknown.
Start:
At higher Poynton visitor centre and parking close to the marina on the Macclesfield Canal.
Grid ref: SJ945833. This is just off Anson Road.
To get to the parking area. Take the A51 from Chester and then the A54 to Winsford and Holmes Chapel towards Wilmslow. Then take the A535 towards Alderley Edge and then the A5102 to Poynton. At Poynton follow the road to the east for Higher Poynton. Signs for the Anson Museun and Marina may help.
This new suggested parking place avoids the need to park in Lyme Park itself
If you are a National Trust Member bring your card, just in case we decide to explore some of Lyme Park itself..
This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "Pub Walks in Cheshire and Wirral". Jen Darling doesn't give much help about what we might expect to see on route except for two for two Saxon cross shafts called the Bowstones. However I'm sure we'll find much more ourselves!
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.
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