Litton

Red Lion Litton

January 28th 2026

 

LITTON MIRES LANE WARDLOW MIRES PETERS STONE TANSLEY DALE CRESSBROOK DALE RAVENSDALE MILLERS DALE RAVENSTOR TIDESWELL DALE LITTON DALE 

Distance: 6.82 miles.

 

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Cold misty and sunny

 Walkers: Andy Blease Steve Brearley Mike Cassini, Hughie Hardiman Jim Riley (with Flossy and Jasper) Julian Ross Russell Spencer Keith Welsh Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly. 

Leaders: Cassini Diarist: Cassini

Starting point: Red Lion Litton

Starting time: 10.00am. Finishing time: 1pm.

This walk was largely a repeat of the suggestion by Kieran that took place in August last year with a noticeable difference.

An equally beautiful day for walking as in the summer just a bit colder but with a touch more water following the recent storm. Leaving Litton and walking along Mires Lane, turning right into Wardley Dale which would eventually lead us through Cressbrook Dale, Millers Dale and Tideswell Dale. We had to backtrack initially to account for the huge body of water that flowed through the various dales (valleys).

Once the decision was taken that it would not be possible to cross the torrent  and we returned to the far side of the Dale, the trip was reasonably straight forward and tea was taken just past Ravensdale cottages These are two terraces of cottages built by William Newton to house the workers at Cressbrook Mill they date from 1823 and are Grade II listed buildings.

A slight unenforced detour took us to the top of Millers Dale by-passing Cressbrook Hall but giving a great view of the Dale. From here it was through Millers and Tideswell Dale back up the slope into Litton and Beer in the Red Lion.

Next week Russell will lead from Rowarth car park SK22 1EF @ 9:40 back for beers at Little Mill 1;30-2pm. 

 

New Mills

 January 21st 2026

NEW MILLS, THE TORRS RIVERSIDE PARK, GOYT VALLEY, GOWHOLE FARM, OLLERSETT MOOR, LITTLE RIDGE FARM, THE SETT VALLEY TRAIL, THE MASONS ARMS AT NEW MILLS

Distance: 6.57miles

Ascent/descent: 893/878ft

Difficulty: One manageable climb

Weather: Overcast, occasional drizzle, strong wind on high ground

Walkers; Steve Brierley, Mike Cassini, Stuart Kitchen, Hughie Hardiman

Leader: Cassini Diarist: Cassini 

Starting point: New Mills Leisure Centre

Starting time: 9.35am. Finishing time: 12;30. 

The threat of rain and generally bad weather put off a number of potential walkers which was a shame as although overcast and windy,  rain was not a problem,with some clear blue skies and a rainbow when we reached the hills above Hayfield. We decided to cut short the walk in Hayfield as the promised rain /sleet was anticipated towards the afternoon.

Starting at New Mills leisure centre this walk is largely based one led by Alan Hart in May 2023 when the weather was slightly more favourable. Leaving the leisure centre we continued through the Torrs park past Gowhole Farm and onto Ladypit Lane, where we began our ascent to Ollersett Moor past farms and through fields and woodland.

At the top of the moor by the TV mast we decided that rather than extend walking to account for the time spent in The Kinder Lodge on the walk on which this one is based, we would head back via the Sett Valley trail which enabled us to reach the Masons Arms by 12:30 where we could have had £3 pints but settled for Farmers Blonde at £3:80.

 

Next weeks walk has been suggested to start in Litton and follow a circular route via Cromford Mill though again this is only a short 6.79 miles finishing last time at 12:20- all alternatives welcome!

Bollington

No

 Bollington Circular

January 14, 2026

BOLLINGTON, SOWCAR, BLAZE HILL, GINCLOUGH, RAINOW, KERRIDGE HILL, KERRIDGE,

BOLLINGTON VIADUCT

Distance: 8.7 miles Ascent/descent: 1525 ft

Difiiculty: Moderate.

Weather: Fine & dry

Walkers: Andrew Blease, Steve Brearley, Mike Cassini, Colin Davison, Hughie Hardman, Stuart Kitchen, Russell Spencer, Simon Williams, Keith Welsh, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

Starting point: Bollington Recreation Ground Car Park, SK10 5JT

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 1.30pm

This Weeks Route:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30258921/wednesday-wanderers--bollington-circular?

lat=53.29022&lon=-2.10793&zoom=13.5602&style=Leisure&type=2d

I have saved this walk for public consumption. Anyone can follow the route using the OS app, providing you have a registered account (Free) in future.

A good turnout for this weeks walk, total of 10 which was great. There was a bit of street walking through Bollington to get to some footpaths into the hills, we passed through Sowcar and to the bottom of Blaze Hill, it was here that Colin decided to go it alone as he felt he might hold us up on the hills. We trekked on following the route which was fairly straight forward and uneventful. 

We stopped by a small river for Pie Time just outside Rainow and then headed back to Bollington via the canal and to the Vale Inn pub, where we met Jock and after a phone call located Colin who was awol. 9.40am

Happy Wandering!

Next week’s walk will be led by Mike, starting from New Mills Leisure Centre, SK22 5PU. Start time

High Lane

 

High Lane

January 7, 2026

HIGH LANE VILLAGE HALL, CHESHIRE RING CANAL, LYME PARK, EAST GATE, GRITSTONE TRAIL,

RED LANE, BROOKSIDE FARM.

Distance: 8.47 miles Ascent/descent: 781 ft

Difiiculty: Easy (Handbag walk)

Weather: Fine & dry

Walkers: Andrew Blease, Steve Brearley, Mike Cassini, Colin Davison, Hughie Hardman, Stuart

Kitchen, Russell Spencer, Keith Welsh, Cliff Worthington.

Drinkers: Tom Cunliffe, Jock Rooney with Milly,

Leader: Russell/Andy, Diarist: Russell

Starting point: High Lane War Memorial Village Hall Car Park, off Windlehurst Rd, High Lane,

Stockport. SK6 8AB

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 1.30pmpm

This Weeks Route:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30189481/wednesday-wanderers--high-lane-lyme-park?

lat=53.3538&lon=-2.07754&zoom=12.8223&style=Leisure&type=2d

I have saved this walk for public consumption. Anyone can follow the route using the OS app,

providing you have a registered account (Free) in future.

We had the strongest turnout for a while, a total of 9 intrepid walkers, to enjoy a nice leisurely stroll around Lyme Park, to break the New Year in.

This walk started as a re-run of a walk done previously, carfully anotated by Mr Hart, so we started at the car park and headed to the canal. Initially the going was good but it soon became clear the defrost we had encountered closer to home had not occurred fully in High Lane. The path

was extremely icy in places, the canal was still mostly frozen over. Arriving at Bridge 16 we crossed into Lyme park and headed toward the car park. It was decided that we should stop at the cafe and enjoy their covered seating area, where yet again, Stuart’s delicious pasties made an appearance.

We also discussed the remainder of the route which basically involved a trek into Disley, a pub stop and out again. The pub stop was voted out so a more circuitous route around the Gritstone Trail and

back via Red Lane was decided upon.

It was half way up toward the Cage that I realised I had left my Rucksack at the cafe and a short sprint/trot back meant that I had to cut short my walk and meet with the rest at the Main Entrance.

From there we followed the railway track, crossing in several places, back to the canal where we diverted off through a housing estate and onto the A6 and down to the Bulls Head for refreshments. Tom was already waiting there and Jock soon joined us.

Next week’s walk will be around Bollington, starting at the Recreation Ground Car Park, Bollington SK10 5JT – 9.40am, and finishing back at the Vale Pub approximately 1.30pm

Happy Wandering!