Higher Poynton

 

March 11th 2026

BOARS HEAD HIGHER POYNTON LYME PARK LOOP VIA POTT SHRIGLEY.

Distance: 7.5 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry cold wind particularly on high ground

Walkers Peter Beale Andy Blease, Steve Brierley, Mike Cassini, Hugh Hardiman, Stuart Kitchen, Greg Owens, Russell Spencer, Keith Welsh, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative Walkers: Jock Rooney and Millie,-

Leader: Cliff Worthington. Diarist:  Mike Cassini

Starting point: Boars Head

Starting time: 9.50am. Finishing time: 1.05.pm

Slight confusion arose over the later starting time but it was amicably resolved and we set off, meeting Peter a few yards from the pub. There was further confusion when Cliff asked me to diarise the walk as he couldn’t be arsed, probably as he had to learn the chords to Smoke on the Water for his Thursday ukulele session. 

I hadn’t been paying attention or taking note of anything of interest, preferring to engage in conversation (mainly sport related but also regarding the need to watch the Channel 4 documentary on the water industry - Dirty Business). Also as we were far too jolly, no photos or details were recorded, so this will be a very unremarkable record of events. (Pictures are from Google).

It was noted that the quality of the blog has  declined since professional journalist Alan, with his wry humour, quality writing and observational skills was no longer in service. It would be foolhardy to try to replicate his ability, so, as with the walk last week, the route is well known. I have therefore found another extract from the master listed at the end of the blog.

The route is the same one Cliff led when 10(9) walkers were in the Moselle valley last year. Leaving the Boars Head, heading south to Pott Shrigley, we passed the café and then turned upwards through Lyme Park and Knightslow Wood, where lunch was taken. 

Knightslow Wood

The majority excepting Peter and Andy, who headed directly back to the pub, climbed to Lyme cage in an attempt to delay drinking time as too many cups of tea can play havoc with the digestive system. Some of us attempted to try the Cornish Pale Ale but as with Landlord ale, this was unavailable and we had to make do with Wainwrights at £5.30 a pint.

A brief extract from a walk round Disley in November 2022 follows.

Forecasts of dire weather conditions may well have led to a poor turnout for this walk, although the various imaginative excuses given were on a par with the standard schoolboy excuse of “the dog ate my homework.”

Those hardy souls who scorned the gloomy predictions were rewarded with a largely dry day and the added bonus of blue skies and sunshine. 

On the fauna front we spotted a plastic heron at the side of the Peak Forest Canal and a real cormorant on the banks of the River Goyt.

In short gentlemen abed in Bramhall, Birch Vale, Heald Green, Macclesfield, Silverdale and Bowdon shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that walked with us.

Next week, we will meet at 9:40am at the side of the road by the Devils Arse cavern (also known as the Peak Cavern) in Castleton for a walk up Mam Torr, finishing in the Cheshire Cheese in Castleton

Happy Wandering!