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Walks in detail
Siddington, Cheshire - 3rd January 2010
A leisurely walk of 8 miles. We plan to commence the walk from the
viewing point at the south end of Redesmere but will it be a day for ice
creams or seeing the birds on iced water? Whatever, sun or frost, we can
expect a figure of eight in pretty and gentle Cheshire countryside.
Philip Lund
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Tatton Park, Knutsford - 17th January 2010
Tatton Park at Knutsford is the setting for this leisurely walk. The group will be enjoying the thousand acres of parkland,
where herds of deer have grazed since the 13th century, and watching the wildlife attracted by the two meres. Afterwards there
will be an opportunity to eat at the Stables Restaurant for those who don't wish to carry a packed lunch.
The route is seven miles long and is open to all reasonably fit adults and children who have walking boots and waterproofs and well
behaved dogs on leads are welcome. The group is making a special effort this month to appeal to newcomers who've resolved to get
fit in 2010, putting on a selection of mostly flat walks to prepare for some hilly ones next month.
The initial meeting point for this walk is the car park at Haslington at 8.30 and the number for more information is 611037.
Roni Hurst
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Great Budworth - 24th January 2010
Great Budworth near Northwich is one of Cheshire's prettiest villages with its quaint houses and winding lanes.
The village stands on a low hill overlooking Budworth Mere and the Weaver Valley. This six mile leisurely walk will head first
towards Antrobus and then to the outskirts of neighbouring Arley before completing the circle back to our starting point.
It's the latest in a series of mostly flat walks for reasonably fit people who want to build up their fitness for some hill walks in February.
It's a good walk for non-members to try.
Christine Smedley
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Shifnal, Shropshire - 31st January 2010
The walk starts from the Free Car Park in the centre of Shifnal. After half a mile or so we walk up a gentle slope to Lodge Hill with
fine views over the surrounding countryside. The path then drops down to a wood with Wesley brook at the bottom. There are good steps down
the bank to the brook. We then cross the brook by a footpath bridge and turn left to follow it to Evelith Mill. This brings us out to a
minor road which takes us up to a footpath off to the left.
After crossing a large field with a good grassy path we come to a lane and walk to the village of Kemberton. Once the centre of a nail
making industry with furnaces fired with coal from a local coal mine which was only closed in 1967. There is no sign of this in what is now
a tranquil village.
We return through narrow lanes to Evelith and turn north to reach Wesley brook. We follow the brook upstream to a sewerage works where we
follow a path away from the brook and round the perimeter fence. This has been landscaped with tree planting and a good path takes us again down
to the brook which we now cross. We follow the path up to where we pass the old manor house which has now been converted to several houses.
The road to the manor and barn conversions takes us out to the main road and back to Shifnal past the church.
The walk is very pleasant but could be rather muddy in a few places if wet.
There are toilets at the car park in Shifnal but it will cost you 20p. There are also toilets at a motorway service area on the M54 near junction 4 where we turn off for Shifnal.
David Smith
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Brindley & Faddiley Figure of 8 - 7th February 2010
Our walk on saturday starts and finishes in Faddiley which is convenient as that is the location of the "Thatch" which serves beer,
fine wines and good food.
It will also appeal to those out just to work up an appetite or a thirst or to those looking to stretch their legs because it is a figure
of eight.
We will first walk north into the Brindley Parish to cover the high ground of Windmill Bank which has excellent views over to the Bickerton
Hills before returning to Faddiley after four miles. The energetic will then continue south for a further four miles loop over farmland.
Graham Taylor
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Silverdale - 14th February 2010
This Valentines' Day walk in Staffordshire will be an opportunity to see the regeneration which has taken place at the site of the
old Silverdale Colliery. The mine operated from 1830 to 1998 and was the last to close in the Potteries area.
Our route will go through the redeveloped parkland and along part of the old railway line and it would be a healthy prelude to a
romantic Valentines' dinner.
Philip Keogh
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Shutlingsloe 20th February 2010
A stunning walk around and over Shutlingsloe Moor. 8 miles : moderate.
Starting alongside the Crag Inn at Wildboarclough,the route gradually ascends past Piggford Nature Reserve across a footbridge
and up Oaken Clough. Soon appear spectacular views over the Cheshire plain with the Welsh hills and Pennines in the distance.
The path drops through the yard of the Hanging Gate and shortly joins a long distance path, the Gritstone Trail;
this proceeds to the Ridgegate Reservoir and now the final climb through the Macclesfield forest and up a well maintained path.
to Shutlingsloe at 506m,only 50m less than Shining Tor ,Cheshire's highest hill. A short,steep but safe descent takes us back to the Crag Inn.
David Vernon
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Longnor & Chrome Hill - 28th February 2010
The walk starts in the historic market town of Longnor and passes through a valley in which the River Dove starts to become a serious river.
At the end of the valley lies the small hamlet of Hollinsclough which provides a convenient stop for coffee.
Passing to the rear of Hollins hill we reach the moors with views all around including Chrome Hill and Parkhouse.
We will climb both so long as the weather holds (for those who want an easier route a 'by pass' is available ).
Following these two steep ascents, a short climb takes us into Earl Sterndale, home of the famous public house, the Quiet Woman.
Then back across the Dove valley to finish in Longnor.
Phil Guest
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Apedale - 7th March 2010
This could be a muddy walk - Nothing new to those who walked Longnor last Sunday !
We will start and finish at the Apedale Mine Heritage Centre.
Our walk will take us through the Silverdale regeneration project which is still in its early stages with large plantations of young trees.
We will travel into part of the Apedale Community Country Park. This is Staffordshire's newest Park with open meadows, secluded woodland
glades and silent pools. We will pass by an 'accidental' monument to this mine and its owner in the form of a ventilation shaft with its
intiguing inscriptions. At the end of the walk there is the opportunity to take an underground mine tour and experience the unique atmosphere
of a real coal mine entrance fee £5.
The excellent Tea Shop has a wonderful selection of home baking & real staffordshire oatcakes.
Roni Hurst
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Gawsworth - 14th March 2010
This leisurely walk of 7 miles passes through various parts of the parish of Gawsworth, including fields (so a number of stiles),
quiet lanes and the Macclesfield canal. There are pleasant views of the foothills of the Peak District during the walk and the ponds,
church and buildings of Gawsworth village are worth seeing.
There is roadside parking at Bosley Top Lock (Bull Gate), bridge no.54. We would expect the walk to start from there at about 9.45am.
Sue Sharpe
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Betws-y-Coed, Figure of 8 - 20th March 2010
After a very short film entitled "Flight over Snowdon" in the tourist information centre,a steady ascent on forest roads though the
Gwydyr Forest reaches Llyn Elsi Reservoir. Walking alongside the reservoir a monument is reached followed by disused slate workings and
coming to Sarn Helen,( the remains of a Roman road that once ran from Caerhun near Conway in the north to Carmarthen in the south).
This leads to the miner's bridge over the Afon Llugwy and then back along the river path to Betwys for a lunch break.
This walk is a leisurely 4 miles approx. For those wishing to continue after lunch the walk becomes more invigorating and more ascending
and descending; with excellent views over distant peaks. Tumbling waterfalls,marvellous scenery,walking gear shops all with sales!
The promise of a great day in Snowdonia. The whole day walk considered moderate and approximately 8 miles.
David Vernon
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Ecton Hill & Wetton Mill - 28th March 2010
This walk starts from the Manifold Valley Visitor Centre and heads off along the Manifold Way.
After three quarters of a mile on the flat it's then upwards on a sometimes steep path sloping across Ecton Hill.
Where the path levels out there's a splendid 180 degree view taking in, amongst other things, the church spires of Grindon and Butterton.
The route then heads off towards the National Trust's Dale Farm, passing a hill named Sugarloaf, and arrives at the scenic spot of
Wetton Mill by the River Manifold (a great place for a coffe break). We shall then take a valley bottom route by the side of
Hoo Brook to Butterton - a stretch which is usually extremely muddy. Our route crosses a ford and heads up through the village to
Butterton Church and then strikes off across fields and bridleways before a rocky descent to Warslow Brook. Beyond Warslow we do a
little more climbing, past an old quarry, before dropping down onto the Manifold Way and a short walk back to the visitor centre.
There are toilets and a tea room here and all day parking costs £3.50.
Carole Bentley
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Whitchurch to Nantwich - 3rd April 2010
We will meet at Nantwich station at 9.15 am and catch the train to Whitchurch. We will then make our way to the Shropshire Union Canal,
following the towpath towards Nantwich, calling at the canalside pubs on the way. Refreshments can be obtained as necessary en route,
provided the pubs are not boarded up!
The pubs are, in order, The Horse and Jockey, Williemoor Lock, then the Dusty Miller and the Cotton Arms (both in Wrenbury).
We will continue along the towpath, then a short walk across fields to the Star Inn at Acton. This will be followed by a walk along
Chester Road and Welsh Row back into Nantwich, where there are plenty more pubs to choose from!
This walk is suitable for everyone, alcohol lovers or not! People can make their own arrangements to be collected from any of the pubs
along the way if they find a 12 mile walk too daunting! Also, you will not need to carry a heavy rucksack.
Ray Sellars
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75th Anniversary Walk, Bosley - 11th April 2010
From Rushton Spencer follow the Staffordshire Way to Raven’s Clough to pick up the Dane Valley way to start climbing towards the Cloud over
field paths to rejoin the Staffordshire Way to head uphill for the trig pillar and toposcope on the Cloud at around 12-30 to meet with the
East Cheshire and Congleton group’s parties for lunch. (Distance roughly four miles and an ascent of around 600ft)
The return to RS will be via Gooseberry Hole Lane, Dial Lane to join field paths back to the Car Park.
The total distance is about 7 miles but does involve the steady uphill section to reach the Cloud, but is well worthwhile for the
panoramic views over Cheshire and Staffordshire.
Start (at approx 10-00) and finish the walk at the Staffordshire Way car park at RUSHTON.
Peter Callery
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Wentnor, Shropshire - 9th May 2010
Meet at Nantwich Lake and drive the 49 miles to Wentnor which lies between the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones. We park in the Crown Inn
Car Park and walk down to a green lane and then down a quiet lane to the bridge at Walkmill. We then take another lane to Norbury, another small
hamlet with a few houses, a pub and a church.
We then begin to climb up to Norbury Hill which gives us fine views back to the Long Mynd and forward to the Stiperstones. After a lunch
stop with good views all round, we walk along a line of beeches which were planted by the unemployed after the Nepoleonic Wars.
We cross the Shropshire Way long distance walk and up to the remains of ancient earthworks. After climbing another rise we than descend between
Upper & Lower Grovenor Farms and back down to the river East Onny and cross by a footbridge. We then walk up the road to the Crown Inn in
Wentnor where they serve meals all day.
David Smith
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Flash - 15th May 2010
Rogues and vagabonds, counterfeiters and bare-knuckle fighters meet the righteous in England's highest village.
At an altitude of 1,518ft (463m) the village of Flash proclaims itself as the 'Highest Village in Britain'.
Winters can be cold in this rather windswept location. It's said that once, during wartime, it got so cold that the vicar
had icicles on his ears when he ventured from his house to the church. So let's hope for a fine spring day as this walk is best tackled
when the skies are blue and the winds are calm!
The circular walk starts from the village of Flash, we will proceed to Wolf Edge for a safe but tricky descent, then towards Knotbury and
Three Shires Head. Following ancient tracks and paths through former outlaw country we return to Flash, finally along a quiet country lane.
Eileen Dorman
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Boulsworth Hill - 23rd May 2010
Boulsworth Hill in Lancashire, where we shall be in May 2010, is one
of what are known as Pendle’s Three Peaks. The others are Pendle Hill
and Weets Hill. Some of us climbed Pendle Hill on a summer’s day three
years ago and the weather was so appalling it is still recalled with
horror. I hope our trip up Boulsworth Hill will be memorable for better
reasons.
The walk starts from Wycoller Country Park on the Lancashire/Yorkshire
border and at the western end of Bronte country. The ruined Wycoller
Hall is believed to have been the inspiration for Fearndean Manor in
Jane Eyre. The village of Wycoller is traffic-free and has some
beautiful preserved buildings and ancient bridges over the beck. One of
the bridges, Clam Bridge, is thought to be more than a thousand years
old and is listed as an Ancient Monument.
Our route follows the stream out of the village and heads up through
Turnhole Clough to join the Pendle Way and Bronte Way out onto open
moorland. It drops down briefly to Spoutley Lumb Farm before beginning
the ascent. First come the slopes of Pot Brinks Moor, then the gritstone
outcrops of Little Chair Stones and Weather Stones before making for
Boulsworth summit (517 metres) which is also known as Lad Law. Weather
permitting there should be some great views from here.
The descent brings views of Upper and Lower Caldwell Reservoirs before
rejoining the Pendle Way and taking a short detour to see the waterfall
known as Lumb Spout. Fields and farm tracks will take us past Hollin
Hall Mill and back to Wycoller.
Carole Bentley
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