Hayfield

February 24, 2016.

Hayfield, Birch Vale, Gibb Hey, Over Lea Farm, Cold Harbour Farm, Moor Lodge, Four Lane Ends, New Allotments, Big Stone, Monk’s Meadow, The Lamb Inn, Chinley Head, Peep o' Day, Far Phoside, Hayfield.

Distance: 9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Brilliant sunshine with clear visibility.

Walkers:  Colin Davison, Mark Gibby, Graham Hadfield, John Jones, Jock Rooney with Tip and George Whaites

Apologies: Peter Beal (visiting Surrey), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Alan Hart (bicycling in the Algarve) and Tom Unreliability Cunliffe (subsequent engagement / a better offer).

Leader: Davison. Diarist: Davison.

Starting point: Carpark behind The George Inn, Hayfield

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.20pm.

Once again, a local venue suggested by our publican pal was eschewed by the same in favour of a day boozing on a train. This strikes your diarist as something of a busman’s holiday but,hey ho, we were forced to manage without him.

Leaving the carpark in a Westerly direction, we used the subway beneath Chapel Road to reach the Sett Valley Trail. We followed this for approximately one mile to Station Road at Spinnerbottom. This we crossed and continued along the trail for half a mile to the cobbled track leading from Thornsett Mill(28mins).

Here we turned left and South to the Hayfield Rd where we doglegged right and left to take the track past the cricket groundto the five lanes meeting at Gibb Hey. A left turn followed immediately by a right turn lead us up a wooded valley with a stream to Over Lea Farm.

Through the gate onto the metaled road, we took the wooden stile immediately on the right diagonally across the field to a stone stile (40mins). At this point the leader sagely consulted the map to combined shouts of derision. Continuing diagonally to the corner of this field and a wooded stream we turned left through a gateway close to the cap of a disused coal mine.

Keeping close to the wall we passed two small dams which probably stored water for washing the coal. As we approached the gate to Cold Harbour Farm, we turned right across the field to a stile in the stone wall. In the far left corner we crossed another stone stile.

Here we turned diagonally left to the corner of the field and the inevitable stile into the lane leading to Moor Lodge.

Turning right we followed Over Hill Road to Four Lane Ends(65mins) where we turned left along an old walled tramway from the higher mines. Pie time was call at 11.05am at the first convenient spot. Some members voiced the view that theyparticularly missed absent friends at this time.

Continuing up the tramway, we crossed the New Allotments and the main bridleway across Ollerset Moor. At Big Stone we dropped straight down the hill to a sign post.

Crossing the main path (to Peep o’ Day), the path angled first to the right and then left to a gate in the corner of the field. Further consultation of the map was met with further derision. But as the former resulted in avoidance of a retreat up hill, the latter subsided into dark muttering.

Diagonally across the next field to a gate, we followed the wall down to Maynestone road.

Turning left along the road, we took the first stile and path on the right across the valley to Monk’s Meadow. A metaled track lead up to Hayfield Road opposite the Lamb Inn (140mins). Pints of Pedigree and coffee were consumed courtesy of JohnJones and your diarist who were celebrating their respective birthdays.

From The Lamb we walked up Hayfield Road to Maynestone Road where we turned left to the path on the right just past Peep o' Day. This we followed to the derelict water Mill at Far Phoside taking lunch 100yds before reaching it. 

The path continues beyond keeping to a level until it meetsRidge Top Lane where we turned right and descended intoHayfield. Continuing straight along Meadows Road and then Station Road we regained the underpass whence we started.

Next week’s walk will start from The Wanted Inn at Sparrowpit at 9.45am. Lunchtime refreshment will be taken at The Quarryman, Doveholes at approximately 12.15pm. We shall endeavour to return to The Wanted Inn at approximately 2.30pm.

Happy Wandering