Goyt Valley

 

 

GOYT VALLEY (Alternate walkers)

 

 

November 26, 2025

 

 

ERRWOOD RESERVOIR DAM, FERNILEE RESERVOIR, RIVER GOYT, FERNILEE, CROWHILL, WHITELEAS ROAD, TAXAL CHURCH, RIVER GOYT, FERNILEE RESERVOIR

 

 

Distance:  7 miles​​Ascent/descent: 1192 FT

 

Difiiculty: Easy

 

Weather: Dry and mainly sunny

 

Walkers: Peter Beal, Colin Davison, Jock Rooney with Millie, Keiran Rooney

 

Leaders: Jock and Keira​Diarist: Beal

 

Starting point: Lay-by below Bunsal Cob next to Errwood Reservoir dam

 

Starting time:  11 am. Finishing time: 2 pm

 

 

 

A large number of apologies in the main group of Wanderers coupled with a car puncture at a late stage, left your four erstwhile alternate walkers as the only walkers.

 

We enjoyed a pleasant walk around the scenic Goyt Valley centred on Fernilee reservoir in largely sunny weather.

 

Our starting point was a lay-by car park at the foot of the small hill of Bunsal Cob, a short distance from the Errwood reservoir dam and the entrance to the sailing club. 

 

At the dam we turned right and followed the track for a mile or so along Fernilee reservoir. The reservoir, built in 1938 to provide drinking water for Stockport and surrounding areas at a cost of £480,000 contains 4,940 million litres of water.

 

After the dam wall at the foot of the reservoir we turned to the west side of the valley and took a winding metalled track uphill to eventually join Whiteleas Road, leading to Taxal.

 

After following this for just over half a mile with splendid views of the valley and the peaks on our right, we passed the footpath on our left which we have taken many times in the past to take us uphill to Taxal Nick and Windgather Rocks A very short distance further on we crossed a ladder stile on our right to join a grassy path downhill through fields.

 

This brought us to a lane close to Taxal Church, where we turned right. We were now heading back down the Goyt Valley.

 

After a short walk along the lane we took a signed footpath on the left through an open field, bringing us to an at times rocky footpath through woods skirting the river. We crossed a bridge over the Goyt and turned right to soon come to the Fernilee dam, where we rejoined our outward route back to the cars.

From the archives:

We soon came to a conical structure which is in fact a chapel, erected by the Grimshawe family to the memory of one Miss Dolores de Ybarguen.  She was a Spanish aristocrat who was the teacher at the estate school and governess to the family.

Samuel Grimshawe (1768-1851) was a rich Manchester merchant  who, in 1835,  purchased 2,000 acres of land, including the Cat and Fiddle pub, from John Jodrell of Yeardsley Hall at Whaley Bridge and had a hall built. 

Errwood Hall became the centre of a thriving estate, comprising several farms, kitchen gardens, a private swimming pool, tennis courts, a school, a private coal mine and the hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge that eventually disappeared under the waters of the reservoir. 

In time, the Errwood estate was virtually self-supporting. 

The Grimshawes were great travellers and met Miss Dolores while on a yachting holiday.

Apparently Dolores was never in good health and died in her 40s during a visit to Lourdes. Either she was already terminally ill or incredibly unlucky. Isn’t Lourdes meant to cure you?

 

Next week’s walk for the main group is the Manchester Christmas Ramble, details below.

Wednesday Wanderers Christmas Ramble

When – Wednesday December 3rd 2025

Where – Sale, Stretford, Castlefield, Portland St, Ancoats

Distance: Approx 6 Miles total (more if staggering)

Difiiculty: Easy (whilst sober)

Starting point: Tree Tops Cafe, Sale Water Park, Rifle Road, Sale. M33 2LX

Starting time: 10.30am Finishing time: ????

STARTERS

We will meet at Tree Tops Cafe, to be taken by Julian on a Murder Mystery Wander of

approximately 3 Miles, heading down the River toward Stretford.The Paths are flat/gravel so

walking boots not required.

We will then board a tram to the City centre.

** If the weather is particularly inclement, we will forgo the starter and proceed into the city

centre for an alternative

MAIN COURSE

We shall depart the tram in the Castlefield/Deansgate area to commence our wander of the city

centre, taking in various drinking establishments (of the old variety).

Roughly consisting of:-

1. The Britons Protection

2. Peveril of the Peak

3. Circus Tavern

4. Castle Hotel

5. Crown and Kettle

6. Marble Arch Inn

Side orders may be available along the route at other establishments depending on the ‘specials of

the day’ menu.

DESSERTS

Food to be consumed at - This and That Cafe, Soap St. ‘The home of 3 curries and rice’

 

Happy Wandering!

 

 

 

 

Hayfield

November 19th 2025 

ROYAL CAR PARK HAYFIELD,  SNAKE PATH, TWENTY TREES, SHOOTING LODGE,  MOOR, WILLIAMS CLOUGH, KINDER RESERVOIR, BROAD CLOUGH, KINDER LODGE.  

Distance: 8.53 miles as recorded by the OS Maps App 

Ascent/descent: 1693 ft/1757ft 

Difficulty: Arduous, Arctic, occasionally dangerous. 

Weather: Initially drizzle some sleet, cold wind, sunshine towards the afternoon 

Walkers ; Andy Blease, Steve Brierley, Mike Cassini,  Chris Owen, Julian Ross, Russell Spencer, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington,  

Alternative Walkers: Jock Rooney and Millie, Colin Davison, 

Leader: Clifford T Worthington. Diarist: Cassini 

Starting point: Royal Hotel Hayfield 

Starting time: 9.45am. Finishing time: 1.35.pm

The plan from last week was to meet in the Royal Hotel car park Hayfield and collectively decide on a route. Fortunately, again Cliff took up the mantle and suggested the walk from last Christmas and all kitted up in our winter gear for the first time off we trudged up to the snow.  

Although the route was  well established it was inevitable that after the snowline passed the Hunting lodge we would go off piste.

Fortunately as ever there was enough guidance although occasionally conflicting to get us on our way.

Once we reached the top of Leygatehead Moor a narrow vote (7-1) to continue up to Ashop Head or down Williams Clough lead us down the latter which proved initially to be a well flagged stone path covered with ice and melting snow, and then a stream overrun with melting snow and cascading water According to the map, we crossed a number of fords on the way down, eventually traversing a quite substantial stream when we then hit a firm safe path after passing Kinder Reservoir and onto the Kinder Lodge for a brave few alcoholics. 

Next week Russell will be leading a walk from the bridge near the Paper Mill pub in Chinley SK23 6EJ 9:40 start.

Happy Wandering!

Sutton Hall

 

Attendees: Steve Brearley, Chris Owen, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Mike Cassini, Julian Ross

Route: Sutton Hall, Macclesfield Canal, Bosley Flight (locks), North Rode, North Rode dam, Gawsworth (Harrington Arms), Macclesfield Canal, Sutton Hall.

Weather: Wet,start to finish

Excused: lots.

Distance: Around 12 miles

We commenced from Sutton Hall at 09.45, leaving via the rear gate turning left to meet Hall lane whereupon we turned right going uphill. Upon reaching the working man’s club we turned right onto Symondley Road. We walked to the end of Symondley, where we went through a kissing gate and entered a meadow. We crossed two meadows and turned right walking through a further two meadows, entered a wooded area which lead to Sutton Reservoir via Leek Old Rd. Crossing the old rd we progressed around the Reservoir and continued until we reached the A523. We went left when we crossed the canal.and progressed keeping the Fools Nook (pub, now closed) to our left.

After an eternity (boring element) we came to Bosley Flight and turned right along Bullgate Lane crossing the West Coast train line. We kept on until we reached North Rode dam where pie time was taken. 

Post pie time we continued turning left through Highland cattle then right along a concrete road. A farmer had turned his hand to caravan storage and we crossed a stile entering yet another meadow. Another two meadows later we turned right for about 200m then crossed a road and went into another field. Going straight forward along an obvious track through a number of fields we eventually arrived at Gawsworth pools (fishing). Again we went left following our noses until we arrived at Gawsworth. Going left it was impossible to avoid the thankful sight of the Harrington Arms 😀

After refreshments we retraced our route passing into Gawsworth, via the Hall and a handless Robert Peel. Another three fields brought us to Woodhouse End rd turning left we approached Dane Moss under threat from developers. We entered Dane Moss turning right after 300m then progressed to a railway bridge crossing it to arrive back at Macclesfield canal turning left.

Keeping the canal on our right we continued until bridge 44 where we came off, Sutton Hall entrance beckoned.

Next week’s walk:  Meet in the Royal pub car park in Hayfield for an as yet unspecified walk around the local area start 9:40?

Higher Poynton

 

November 5th 2025 

BOARS HEAD HIGHER POYNTON, HARESTEADS FARM, GREEN FARM, WEST PARKGATE, HIGHER HOUSE FARM, GRITSTONE TRAIL, LYME PARK, LYME CAGE, BOARS HEAD 

Distance: 9.21 miles as recorded by the OS Maps App 

Ascent/descent: 1304 ft/1240ft 

Difficulty: Moderate/Comfortable occasional steady climbs 

Weather: Dry cloudy early shower otherwise fine day , occasionally wet underfoot slippery and muddy 

Walkers ; Steve Brierley, Mike Cassini,  Julian Ross, Russell Spencer,  Cliff Worthington, Keith Webb. 

Alternative Walkers: Tom Cunliffe and Daisy, Colin Davison, Leader: Clifford T Worthington. Diarist: Cassini 

Starting point: Boars Head circular via Lyme Park 

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 1.25.pm

Bonfire Night traditionally is cold damp foggy and miserable but apart from an early shower the day brightened up to give another glorious autumn walking day. 

As with last week we were on well walked territory  following paths well known but also with a few alternates so whilst looking for guidance and consensus, Cliff took the helm and marched us in a straight line over the Macclesfield canal, due south and east, skirting Lyme Park until we entered at the West Lodge. 

In the park  we were treated to three magnificent stag deer from the Red Deer herd, which has been at Lyme for over 600 years. We also saw examples of the recently introduced drainage management system breaking up the 100 year old stone drains and allowing the culverts to flow over the land more freely creating 166 leaky dams with the intention of slowing rain water to prevent flooding and introducing a number of ponds. Hopefully, it will mean a less invasive and more wildlife-friendly drainage management system. 

We skirted Bosstones and headed through the car park towards Lyme Cage before returning to the Boars Head where we met with the alternative team.

Next week’s walk: 09.45 start at Sutton Hall, Macclesfield, refreshment stop at Harrington Pub around 12.30, finish at Sutton Hall about 14.30.

See below for more pictures and “from the archives”

From the archives

There was some discussion about the progress of Tom Cunliffe’s diet – “I’m still eating the same old sh*t but less of it,” he explained. Some experts have destroyed rain forests selling books and devouring airtime with garrulous expansions of this basic principle.

Lyme Hall dates from the late 16^th Century with modifications in the 18^th and 19^th centuries which give it a predominantly Palladian and Baroque style with other fashionable influences added.

Historians among you may be interested to know that the original Piers Legh, who was granted his coat of arms by King Richard 11 in 1397, was executed two years later by Richard’s rival, Henry Bolingbroke. But his son, Sir Piers Legh 11, fought with Henry V at Agincourt. When he was wounded, Sir Piers’ loyal mastiff stood over him and protected his master for several hours as the battle raged.

The mastiff’s reward was to return to Disley and become the founder of Lyme Hall mastiffs, which were bred at the hall and kept separate from other strains until their purity died out at the beginning of the 20^th Century.