New Mills

 

Peak Forest canal

New Mills

May 28th, 2025

NEW MILLS LEISURE CENTRE, BEARHOUSE FARM, HAGUE BAR, WATERSIDE, GREENSHALL ROAD  CORKS LANE GREEN LANE RED LANE, PEAK FOREST CANAL, THE TORRS.

Distance: 8.46 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Mostly Dry Occasionally Sunny, Rain threatened but didn’t appear (Chris!)

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Russell Spencer, Keith Welsh

Leader: Cassini. Diarist: Cassini

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

Starting time: 10.15am. Finishing time: 1:30pm.

 

THE WALK OF RUSSELLS’ BOOTS

The planned walk for the day was to begin at Curbar Edge and walk near to where Springwatch was being filmed on the Longshaw estate. Due to the recent Moselle trip and possible bad weather numbers were expected to be low and didn’t disappoint, a late cry off from Chris took the number down to three and a minor problem meant a relocation. Having set off and reached Disley, Russell’s mind began to clear from half term grandchilditis and he realised he was sans boots as they say near to the Moselle.

It was decided to cut travelling time and move to a walk round New Mills and Disley and forego the pleasures of possibly the Dandy Cock walking in an amended version of a route we had done previously, setting off at a slightly later time of 10am.     

      

 

 

 

Starting at New Mills leisure centre we walked onto the Sett Valley trail for a few hundred metres before 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).

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)

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. There has been extensive work re-building the banks of the railway even shutting the entrance to Mousley Bottom footpath on the Goyt way for several months- happily although work continues into its second year the path is now re-opened.

Having reached the lowest level at Waterside  we then carried on up the hill under the  Manchester to Buxton train line across the peak forest canal across the A6 up Greenshall lane  past the Girl Guides Outdoor Recreation centre- where for some reason about 8 Electricity Utility vans stood idle- then on to Cork lane, left up Buxton Old Road for about 400 metres before turning right along a bridle path taking us to the Kennels which if we carried on left would have taken us into Lyme Park at the East Gate; we turned right which took us down past St Mary’s Church into Disley where we passed the Dandy Cock – without stopping- and onto the Peak Forest Canal.

This took us back into New Mills past Swizzels and the Canal Marina and then down through the Torrs back to the Leisure Centre- for those of you interested directly opposite Swizzels so you can enjoy 24/7 the constant hum of the factory and the aroma of boiled sugar mixed with sulphur for a snip at £350k there are a number of recently built townhouses plenty still available!!

The 4th June walk will begin in Mobberley planning to meet Alan at the Bulls Head at 1:30, starting at Simon’s house Beechfield Faulkners lane Mobberley WA16 7AL. Walk will begin at 9:30 sharp but Simon has invited orders for bacon butties for 9:15 arrivals

 

 

Lyme Park

Lyme Park

 Lyme Park Loop

 

May 21st, 2025

 

Distance: 7.5 miles​

 

Difficulty: Moderate.

 

Weather: Fine and sunny

 

Walkers:  Steven Brearley, Russell Spencer, Dean Taylor plus Tommy, Keith Welsh, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

 

Alternative walkers: None

 

Apologies: None

 

Leader: Cliff Worthington, Diarist: Ditto

 

Starting point: Boars Head, Higher Poynton

 

Starting time: ​9.45am​​  Finishing time: 1.00 pm

 

With many of the Wanderers away on their annual trip, we expected a poor turnout today. However, a respectful number of six turned out, bolstered by the return of Dean Taylor for his first outing since having a ‘Simon Cowell’ teeth job.

 

Crossing the road from the Boars Head, we crossed the bridge over the Middlewood Way and over a further bridge over the canal. We then climbed up a steep rocky path towards Lyme Park.

 

After passing through a gate into the park we walked along side a long dry stone wall that has been slowly restored for over 10 years now and we stopped for a chat with the chaps currently working on it

 

Lyme Park's dry stone walls are a key part of the estate's historic character and require ongoing maintenance. The National Trust, with the help of volunteers and members of the Dry Stone Walling Association, works to conserve and restore these walls, which cost approximately £12,000 annually. The estate has 18 miles of dry stone walls, and guided walks are available for visitors to learn more about the conservation efforts. 

 

We continued past the path on our right which leads to the overflow car park and turned next right to follow a path travelling up through the forest.

 

Eventually, we passed through a gate to exit the park and turned right. After climbing over a steep ladder over a dry stone wall, we turned left up a hill until reaching a further ladder over another dry stone wall where we turned right.

 

The path then took us along a ridge with views of Manchester to our right. After climbing over another ladder we stopped for pie time, about 11.15am.

 

Continuing along the ridge, the path eventually became a bridle path. Passing a house and going through a gate we reached a wooden gate on our right leading to a further bridle path. This led steeply down past a row of attractive cottages and eventually emerged on Shrigley Road where we turned right past the now closed Tin Hut Coffee Tavern.

 

We continued along Shrigley Road until reaching a fork in the road where we turned right. After about 100 yards we reached the West Gate to re-enter Lyme Park. Here we walked up a steep path through the forest until passing through a gate into the overflow car park. The path continued until we reached the previously mentioned dry stone wall. Here we turned left and followed a path down back to the Boars Head.

 

This walk is a little shorter than a usual wander and could have been extended by turning right at the wall, heading up to Lyme Park and visiting the cage.

 

Next weeks walk will start from the lay-by at Curbar Edge at 9.55. We will make our way over to Wellington’s monument, White Edge reaching the Gouse by 12.30. Then Froggat Edge, Curbar Edge, back to the lay-by at, say, 2.40 pm.

 

 

 

 

Bollington

 

14th May 2025

 

BOLLINGTON RECREATION GROUND, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, BRIDGE QUARRY, KERRIDGE RIDGE, RAINOW, THE PLEASANCE GARDENS, THE VIRGINS' PATH, INGERSLEY VALE WATERFALL, THE VALE AT BOLLINGTON, MIDDLEWOOD WAY, WHITELEY GREEN

 

Distance: 6.0 miles.

Difficulty: lung busting start up to Kerridge Ridge then easy peasy.

Weather: Sunshine all the way

Walkers: Daisy Cunliffe, Tom Cunliffe, Russ Spencer, Steve Brearley and Cliff Worthington 

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney and Milly Rooney.

Non Walking Drinkers: Peter Beale, unfortunately arriving at the pub hoping to meet his chums but we’d already left.

Apologies: George Dearsley (in Turkey), Peter Beal injured, Mike Cassini Injured, Simon Williams Post car accident injury, Clive Rothel Domestic stuff, Dean Taylor domestic stuff 

Leader and Diarist Cunliffe T plagiarised from Andy Blease who had plagiarised from a previous Alan Hart diary dated 4th October 2023.

Starting point: Free car park overlooking Bollington Recreation Ground.

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 12.20pm.

 

This was originally planned as a figure-of-eight walk with Bollington at its start, middle and finish. On this occasion there were no walkers for the top loop of the figure of 8. Jock and Milly did an alternative 5 mile walk meeting at the Vale pub at lunchtime. 

 

We departed at 0940. Our intrepid group headed for the right corner of the recreation ground next to the River Dean. We exited the sports fields and crossed the road, turning left and then right up a flight of steps built into the bridge holding the Macclesfield Canal aqueduct. At the top we reached the waterway and proceeded with the canal on our left as we walked under Bridge 27 (9mins)

 

Various proposals to connect Macclesfield to the national network of canals were discussed from 1765 but it was not until 1824 that a scheme came to fruition and the 26-mile canal finally opened in 1831. It linked Marple in the north through Macclesfield and Congleton to the Trent and Mersey Canal in the south.

However the embryonic railways were starting to take business from canals and by 1954 the Macc Canal was no longer commercially viable.

Spirited campaigning succeeded in revitalising the canal as the leisure facility it is today.

 

After passing the converted Adelphi Mill on our right we reached Bridge 28 and exited the canal by heading right up the cobbles and swinging left over the bridge.

We swung right on the far side of the bridge and followed the track until we reached a road at Dawson Farm and turned right before soon swinging left uphill on Higher Lane.

When we reached a flight of steps on our left indicated by a green public footpath sign on our right we ascended them. It was a tough climb and we had momentary respite when we reached a road at Bridge Quarry. There was a flat stretch when we turned left for 40 yards before turning left towards Bridge House and heading for another steep ascent to Kerridge Ridge. At the top we turned right and to our right was the Astra Zeneca factory on the Hurdsfield Industrial Estate. To our left were views across the hills with the pretty village of Rainow nestling in the valley below.

 

When we reached a metal gate we turned left and took the lower route. At the next metal kissing gate we followed the direction of a yellow arrow pointing diagonally left downhill. Through two more gates with yellow arrows we continued downhill until we reached the main road through Rainow. 

At this junction Pie Time was declared.

Having consumed a few calories we turned left. The road took us down Tower Hill. We continued for around 15 minutes to reach Stocks Lane to the left of the main road running off Chapel Lane. On this corner is a garden for weary travellers called The Pleasance and previously we have paused for Pietime.

We continued left down Chapel Lane and turned right into Sugar Lane as we headed back towards Bollington. As we walked along Sugar Lane we could see Kerridge Ridge on our left with the distinctive White Nancy folly at its far end in the distance. We turned right following a green public footpath sign and the stone-flagged path at the back of Flagg Cottage.

 

This was the start of the historic Virgins' Path (also known as The Brides' Path) which was built in the 18th Century when there was no church in Rainow. Village maidens were obliged to walk through sometimes muddy fields to the nearest church in Bollington to marry. Local farmers, seeing their daughters arrive in church with their white dresses besmirched, laid rows of flags through the fields to spare their blushes.

 

We followed this trail until we reached IngersleyVale waterfall on our left and then

continued past the derelict Ingersley Clough Mill and passed the old millpond on our left. Beyond the pool we turned right and passed a church on our left as we walked to the roundabout.

From here we continued along the main road, passing the aqueduct tunnel and turning right to once again enter Bollington Recreation Ground. 

 

We followed the path as it swung left behind the tennis courts and bowling green. 

We were able to turn right and emerge back at the Recreation ground where we all debated after having decided that they didn’t wish to complete the top loop. Entrance to the Vale Inn was just 35 meters along the road. We were greeted by Jock and Milly.

 

 

The Vale management confirmed it was still Happy Wednesday but went to say that any cask ale was now £4 a pint cf £3.00 a pint on 20th March 24. tch, tch, tch that’s hyper inflation in anybody’s book! 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking towards Hurdsfield Ind estate, Macclesfield with Jodrell Bank shown as a minute white blob in the distance

 

 

On Friday 16th May, 10 of the WW depart for the Moselle Valley for a 6 day walk up the valley. We return Friday 23rd May.

 

Next week’s wander for the non-touring chaps will start from the Boar’s Head Higher Poynton at 9:45 and will be led by Cliff. His plan is to go over Lyme Park in a circular route

 

 Happy wandering