New Mills

 New Mills

 February 28th, 2024.

 

NEW MILLS LEISURE CENTRE, TORRS RIVERSIDE PARK, PEAK FOREST CANAL,GREENSHALL LANE,CORKS LANE,LONG LANE , GREEN LANE,LYME PARK, DISLEY, GOYT VALLEY WAY

Distance: 9.68 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Mostly Dry Occasionally Sunny, wet underfoot.

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Colin Davison, Jim Riley and Flossie.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Mostly foreign holidays and weather related aches and pains of the elderly.

Leader: Cassini. Diarist: Cassini

Starting point: New Mills Leisure Centre, Hyde Bank Road, New Mills (SK22 4BP)

Starting time: 9.39am. Finishing time: 2.15pm.

                                                        

                                                                            

Starting at New Mills Leisure Centre in cold but dry conditions we descended steps from the car park and turned right through the road tunnel emerging into the Torr’s Riverside Park where shortly we came across the small hydroelectric community scheme.

 

The Torrs

 

Following through the park towards a small climb to the Peak Forest Canal, Colin provided historic information regarding the Leat and flooding along the river bank and we enjoyed wildlife both native - a wren, rabbit and sheep - and not so native/wild : a cat, Canada Geese and Llamas.

It’s a shame so few Wanderers were able to take advantage of the cold but not unpleasant conditions, particularly as we came across two separate large groups who were out and about; firstly crossing Bollinhurst Brook a group of mature female joggers between 15-20 in number ambled amiably across the condemned bridge and then in the Dandy Cock. A similar number of mellow ramblers mostly equipped for accompanying Ernest Shackleton took over the rear half of the pub.

Once on the Peak Forest canal path we passed by New Mills marina and Swizzels before exiting at bridge 27 onto Greenshall Lane, crossing the A6 just past the service station continuing upwards to Corks Lane.

Empty House on Corks Lane 

Colin advised on several possible routes here but for no apparent reason we took the one past the Girl Guides outdoor pursuits centre. At the end at Buxton Old Road we crossed the road after 400 yards taking a bridle path onto Long Lane and Green Lane where Pietime was taken. 

Shortly after and into Lyme Park through the East Lodge gate where a few yards later we came across ….

Frodo and Bilbo seek directions through Rivendell

 

And then found the route onwards:-

 

Bypassing the cage to the right of the hill we turned uphill along Red Lane into Disley village and the Dandy Cock where birthday boy Jim (57) bought a small round and didn’t mention the Carabao Cup!

 

View towards Disley

Dandy Cock

 

After Guinness and  Dizzy Blondes we left the pub and went via Hollinwood Road along the  south side of the canal until going over a railway bridge through woods along Waterside onto the Goyt river path  towards the Millennium bridge. 

Next week Colin will lead a walk from Old Glossop to Bleaklow Head circle via Shelf Moor Hern Clough Far Moss and Glossop Low. Meet at 9:40am on Shepley Street Glossop SK13 7SG estimate return 2-2;30pm, no pubs en route but afterwards at Queens Arms Church Street South suggested de-brief,

 

Happy Wandering!

Etherow

February 14th 2024

 

Etherow Country Park River and Weir, Ernocroft Wood, Farm and Lane, Sandy Lane Boarfold Craddock wood Pipers Clough Werneth Low

 

Distance: 8.85 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Rain, Drizzle and More Rain, Dry after lunch otherwise mild!

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alistair Cairns, Colin Davison

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies:  Whatever!

Leader: Davison. Diarist: Cassini

Starting point:  Andrew Street Free Car ParkCompstall SK6 5HW

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.34pm. 

 

Apologies, the descriptions in this diary will be less than exact as I haven’t found a template for guidance and Tom did not set his mobile map so I have attempted to remember the damp, drizzly, uphill and down-swamp walk that Colin led us on. On his continued recuperation, testing the limits of his hill walking mechanics, he mentioned in conversation with Tom as we ambled peacefully by the River Etherow that this walk has seen off a previous walker (John ?) due to the long climbs. They did not disappoint.

Although this being Valentine’s Day and the spirit of love and peace should be in the air, once again we encountered stroppy females who believed because they worked in the boxing gym and child nursery on site they had exclusive claim to the car park and walkers should use the pay and display in the park, they weren’t receptive to the argument that as we were pensioners we needed to save all our pennies perhaps further inflamed by Tom parking his Mummies tractor right outside the front door.

On entering Etherow Park we were greeted by a variety of wildfowl, noticeably a pair of Black Swans and then further along the River at least 20-30 pairs of exotic Mandarin Ducks.

Black Swan Australian Native 

 

Ducks in the Trees. 

We then encountered the weir in full flow and a waterfall powered by run-off from local streams

 

Weir

 

 

Across the bridge we made our way ever upwards through Ernocroft Wood until we reached the Glossop road A626, which we walked along a few yards until turning by the 94 bus stop, crossing the road upwards again and bearing left(east!) towards Ernocroft Farm. Past the farm, we climbed further towards the top of the hill where the remains of bonfires previously lit would have been visible across the valley.

Just before this picture Tom took a tumble which may have contributed towards his subsequent hamstring injury.

 

 While climbing hills is no one’s idea of fun particularly those on this walk, the climbs were mostly covered by trees and on hard ground although in one case comprised a running stream, the worst parts of the walk were the descents which were open to the elements and so were mostly sodden fields impossible to gain a solid foothold and the stiles at the edge of the fields were particularly hazardous for those with grumbling joints- though not Alistair.

 

After descending from Ernocroft we again crossed the Glossop road and after taking a particularly difficult stile we took Pietime. After Pietime we continued downwards towards the Etherow River which we crossed and slowly made our way upwards, crossing streams, passing stone-built executive houses and eventually walking ever upwards towards the Hare and Hounds at Werneth Low.  Just before this, climbing the hill Tom was having difficulties with his hamstring so we ignored the walk to the War Memorial and went straight along the road to meet with Jock and Milly. As it was Colin’s birthday (72) he bought the teas although Tom went for the Guinness. My attempt to drink initially Green King IPA and then Speckled Hen failed miserably as the barrels finished ¾ of the way through, my pints giving a drink best poured on my chips  - if I had any - which I couldn’t have as it was Valentine’s Day and they were only serving prior bookings and turned away at least three families while I was waiting for a drinkable pint even though tables were available they didn’t have any food!

After lunch we turned right after the cricket club and walked straight down School Lane through the park to retrieve our cars. Tom had a lift down with Jock and probably won’t be available next week.

Next week will start at New Mills Leisure Centre SK22 4BP @ 9.40 going via the Torrs and Peak Forest canal through Lyme Park from the East Lodge with drinks at The Dandy Cock around 12.

Happy Wandering!

 

 

New Mills

 New Mills

 February 07 , 2024.

 

NEW MILLS LEISURE CENTRE, BEARHOUSE FARM, HAGUE BAR, DANE VALLEY, PEAK FOREST CANAL, SPOUT HOUSE FARM, ROMAN BRIDGE, MELLOR AND THORNCLIFFE GOLF COURSE, THE DEVONSHIRE ARMS AT MELLOR, TARDEN FARM, THE FOX AT BROOK BOTTOM, THE TORRS

 

Distance: 10.3411  miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Mostly Dry Occasionally Sunny, wet underfoot.

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Colin Davison. Hughie Hardiman, Jim Riley and Jasper, Julian Ross.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies:  A lot- but special mention for Alistair who asked for copious details to ensure the walk was not too arduous for Daisy and then overslept.

Leader: Cassini. Diarist: Cassini

Starting point: New Mills Leisure Centre, Hyde Bank Road, New Mills (SK22 4BP)

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.34pm.

 

                                                         

 

This was the second use of this route which Alan has detailed previously so apart from the minor alterations to the route the notes are broadly his. Starting at New Mills leisure centre and working our way initially upwards to test Colin’s medical condition we walked through what Jim described as ‘ burglar alleys’ in the suburbs of New Mills before crossing Somme-like conditions at the top of the North side of the Goyt Valley and then descending to the valley floor up onto the Peak Forest canal before down and up again through Mellor and Townscliffe Golf course where a ‘golfer’ who looked like a cross between Ms Trunchbowl and a John Deere Tractor challenged our use of public rights of way - detailed below. To be fair to her although all walkers kept to the path Tom decided the shortest distance between two points was a straight line and walked right across the fairway in front of Ms.Trunchbowl, who if she could hit a golf ball would have brained Tom but fortunately her ‘shot’ dribbled down the hill for about 50 yards still 100 yards short of Daisy and Tom. After this brief excitement, it was on to the Devonshire Arms and Jock and Millie where drinks were provided by Birthday boy Julian (63?). Once again walking back through the Golf Course we encountered Phil Welsh finishing his shift as groundsman. After a brief catch-up we walked along Brook Bottom encountering a horde of Manchester Ramblers who like a number of ladies of a certain age in the pub found Daisy irresistible and chatted with Tom, who followed on as we walked back to the Leisure centre. Just a footnote in passing make sure to check the expiry date of your driver’s licence as in conversation it transpired you are no longer notified if it expires and this can be a common occurrence!!
From the car park, we passed the entrance door to the leisure centre on our left and soon crossed a road to join the start of the Sett Valley Trail.

 

This is a linear leisure facility for walkers, cyclists and horse riders linking New Mills with Hayfield. It follows the trackbed of the branch line of a railway through Birch Vale, Thornsett and Ollersett which opened in 1868. It closed in 1970.

 

After heading up a zigzag path (4mins) we turned left at a road and immediately right through a graveyard (5mins). We exited by a gate and headed down to the end of Dye House Lane, where we turned right (7mins). We crossed the road and headed up Spring Bank (10mins)

Turning left at Whittle Road (14mins) we went left again at a green public footpath sign (17mins). Just before we reached Bearhouse Farm we turned left down a flight of steps (20mins), went through a wooden gate and over a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow (21mins)

 

 

We followed the path through a wooden gate and over a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow (25mins). After crossing a road we went through an alley (27mins) and reached a road where we turned left downhill (29mins). At the end of The Crescent, we turned right uphill (31mins). Just before the crest we went left over a wooden stile (35mins) into a field and crossed a stone step stile (36mins).

The Somme

After crossing another stone step stile (38mins) we turned right at a bench (40mins) to head downhill, crossing a stone step stile marked with a yellow arrow (41mins) and then going right at a similar stile (42mins)

View to Jim’s House

On reaching a lane we turned right and then went left at a green public bridleway sign (45mins). This led us to a track where we turned left downhill (46mins). At the end of Hague Fold Road (51mins) we crossed the main road and then went across a bridge over the Manchester-Sheffield railway line.

We passed a playground on our left and then crossed a bridge over the River Goyt (57mins). At a wooden public footpath sign marked with a yellow arrow on our right (61mins) we turned right and followed the path around the garden of a house with the river on our right. This path emerged on a road where we dog-legged right and left (68mins) and then turned left along a track (69mins)

 

Geese, Goosander and Cormorant by the River Goyt.

 

After crossing a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow (70mins) we turned right. This brought us to another wooden stile which we crossed before descending a flight of steps (72mins). We turned left over a wooden stile with a yellow arrow (73mins) and crossed a wooden footbridge (74mins)

From here we climbed up several flights of steps and along a path which emerged through a gap stile opposite Higgins Clough Swing Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal (79mins). We turned right with the waterway on our left before stopping for pies and port at a convenient low wall (84mins)

 

We continued along the towpath, passing Little Woodland Farm on our right and going under Bridge 23 (92mins) before turning right at Bridge 21 (103mins) down to Strines where we crossed the main road and carried on down to the river. Turning left with the river on our right we reached the hump-backed bridge known as Roman Bridge on our right, crossed it and turned left (117mins). We walked with the Goyt now on our left for some 250 yards then branched right uphill to follow a sign for Mellor and Cobden Edge (119mins)

We crossed a stone step stile and headed up a flight of steps before crossing a footbridge over the railway line (122mins) and entering the grounds of Mellor and Thorncliffe Golf Club crossing the course despite the efforts of a ‘lady’ golfer.

 

Looks like Tom actually followed the right route.

We left the course and entered Gill Lane (138mins), swinging first right and then bearing left (144mins) until we emerged opposite The Devonshire Arms at Mellor (149mins)

Here drinks mainly non-alcoholic  were bought by birthday boy Julian (63)

Resuming we retraced our earlier footsteps up Gibb Lane, bearing right at a fork (153mins) Continuing we passed Tarden Farm on our right (160mins) as we walked along a ridge which afforded us a continuous view across the valley. We passed The Fox Inn at Brook Bottom on our right (185mins) and passed the Eric Burdekin memorial bench as we reached the outskirts of New Mills. At a row of terraced houses on our left we turned right at a green footpath sign to enter a wood (203mins)

We emerged on St Mary's Road (210mins) and turned right before going left into Market Street, passing The Pride of the Peaks pub on our right. We walked down Rock St (212mins), crossed a road to enter Lower Rock Street (213mins) and then swung right under a tunnel and left up a flight of steps (216mins). This brought us to the back of New Mills Leisure Centre car park to de-boot (217mins)

 

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am at EtherowCountry park car park the car park is not free @ £3.60 all day.

Happy wandering !