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!