Whaley Bridge

 Windgather Rocks

29th July 2026

 

Whaley Bridge, Horwich End, Shallcross Hall Farm, Taxal, Windgather Rocks, Pyms Chair, Dunge Farm, Kettlehulme, Toddbook Reservoir.

Distance: 11.6 miles

Difficulty: occasional/frequent steep climbs

Weather: Overcast sometimes sunny but always warm

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Mark Enright, Stuart Kitchen, Greg Owens

Leader: Mark Enright, Diarist : Mike Cassini

Starting Point: Tom Crofts car park

Starting Time: 9:40 Finishing time : 2;45

 

This is a well established Wednesday Walk but just for fun we added a few miles prior to moving directly to Taxal to climb to Windgather Rocks. Mark had graciously agreed to lead this week and had a downloaded map, which initially caused confusion as we attempted to leave Whaley Bridge. But we had the unexpected bonus of passing Shallcross Farm, which has now been converted into rather nice holiday lets.

Once we regained the route towards Windgather this was not an indication of our fortune changing. Firstly, as time was running away with us, we decided at about 13:45 to have a drink at the Swan at Kettlehume, only to find the pub closed when on numerous previous occasions it has been open on Wednesday afternoon.

Having dealt with this setback, at Toddbrook Reservoir we found ourselves locked out of civilisation, as ongoing construction on the dam meant no access through to the town . By slipping through a gap in the fence onto the building site we managed to overcome this setback despite the protests of the female security telling us we could not go onsite and the police would be called.

Traumatised, we headed for the nearest decent pub, which Mark suggested was the White Hart. Here, we took refreshment to relax from the rigours of the trip.

Next week we meet at 9:40 am in New Mills Leisure centre SK22 4BP for a leisurely stroll to the Roman Lakes and back along the Peak Forest canal for a meet between 1-1:30 at the Masons Arms.

Happy Wandering!

Higher Poynton

 

Wednesday 22 July 2026

Boars Head (Higher Poynton), Pott Shrigley, Gritstone Trail, Bowstones Gate, Lyme Park & Poynton Marina

WALK DETAILS

Places Visited

Poynton Marina.

Boars Head (Higher Poynton), Pott Shrigley, Gritstone Trail, Bowstones Gate, Lyme Park and Poynton Marina

Distance: 8.54 Miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Fine, overcast but warm.

WALKERS

• Cliff Worthington

• Keith Welsh

• Mark Enright

• Russell Spencer

• Simon Williams

ALTERNATIVE WALKERS

Jock with Milly

Leader: Russell Spencer

Diarist: Russell Spencer

STARTING POINT

The Boar's Head

Higher Poynton

Start: 9.40am

Finish: 1.00pm

THIS WEEK'S WALK

This week's Wednesday Wanderers set off from the Boars Head at Higher Poynton for a varied circular walk taking in Pott Shrigley, sections of the Gritstone Trail, Bowstones Gate, Lyme Park and Poynton Marina. Although the morning remained overcast, it was pleasantly warm throughout, making for excellent walking conditions.

The route offered a good mix of woodland paths, open countryside and scenic tracks, with impressive views across the Cheshire and Derbyshire landscape before descending through the beautiful grounds of Lyme Park. The final section alongside  Poynton Marina provided a relaxing finish to another enjoyable Wednesday Wanderers outing.

THIS WEEK'S ROUTE

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32979820/lyme-park--boars-head-circular?

lat=53.32963&lon=-2.07869&zoom=13.236&overlays=os-obstacles-

layer&style=TopoAuto&type=2d

Next week's walk will be led by Mark, meeting at Tom Brads Croft Car Park, Whaley Bridge, SK23 7LX at 9.40am, returning to The Shepherds Arms, approximately 1,30pm

Happy Wandering!

Hartington

Hartington 

Hartington Circular (North)

Wednesday 15 July 2026

Distance: 8.48 miles

Ascent: 752 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Cold and cloudy at first, becoming hot and sunny

WALKERS

Andy Blease, Cliff Worthington, Keith Welsh, Russell Spencer

ALTERNATIVE WALKERS

Jock Milly (the dog)

Leader: Russell Spencer

Diarist: Russell Spencer

STARTING POINT

Hartington Square, Buxton, SK17 0AL

Start: 9.40am Finish: 1.30pm

THIS WEEK'S WALK

Four Wednesday Wanderers met in Hartington for a circular walk exploring the countryside to the

north of the village. The day nbegan under cool, cloudy skies, making for comfortable walking, but

by late morning the sunshine had arrived and temperatures rose quickly.

The route followed a pleasant mixture of field paths, quiet lanes and open countryside, with

excellent views across the Derbyshire landscape.

After returning to Hartington, we were joined by Jock and enjoyed a well-earned drink at 

The Devonshire Arms, providing the perfect end to another enjoyable Wednesday Wanderers outing.

Next week meet at Boars Head, Higher Poynton, at 9.40am, returning there approximately 1.30pm.

THIS WEEK'S ROUTE

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32884132/hartington-circular--north

From the archives. By Alan Hart 26th June 2013

We reached the River Dove at 11am sharp (50mins) for pietime and met a mink hunter who had just arrived on a quad. He explained that wild mink had become the curse of the environment, depleting fish stocks and indigenous water voles. These American mink, who had escaped captivity in farms where they were bred for their valuable black pelts, are fiercely aggressive. When caught in traps, they are still dangerous and have to be shot with air rifles.

The mink hunter, who is employed by Beresford Fisheries and Derbyshire Angling Club, pointed out a crag on the far side of the Dove where a pair of peregrine falcons had built a nest. He had recently seen the male carrying a pigeon home for dinner.

Happy Wandering!

 

Chapel-en-le-Frith

Chapel-en-le-Frith Circular

Wednesday 8 July 2026

PLACES VISITED

Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dove Holes and Sparrowpit

Distance: 8.59 miles

Ascent: 1,083 ft

Descent: 1,142 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Fine and sunny

Walkers: Andrew Blease, Mike Cassini, Russell Spencer, Tom Cunliffe, Cliff Worthington and Simon

Williams.

Leader: Tom Cunliffe Diarist: Russell Spencer

Starting point: Miry Meadow Car Park, Chapel-en-le-Frith

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 1.30pm

This Week's Walk.

Six Wednesday Wanderers met at Miry Meadow Car Park for Tom's circular walk around Chapel-en-le-Frith, taking in Dove Holes and Sparrowpit. In fine, sunny weather, the 8.6-mile route climbed steadily onto higher ground before following a mixture of tracks, field paths and quiet

lanes through the surrounding countryside.

The smaller group made for a relaxed and enjoyable walk, with plenty of conversation along theway and some lovely Peak District views. Thanks to Tom for another excellent route.

This Week's Route:

I am having trouble with os maps at the minute!!

I have saved this walk for public consumption. Anyone can follow the route using the OS Maps app, providing they have a registered account (free).

From the archives. by George Dearsley 28th March 2012

We crossed a stile, negotiated two more five-bar gates and passed a barn to our left. Pretty soon the welcome sight of the Wanted Inn pub hove into view and circumventing a netted area containing two old boars (one of the group unkindly said we already had one of our own, pointing at Mr Davison), we duly arrived at the hostelry at 12.10pm, consuming pints of Unicorn at £2.90.

The derivation of the pub’s name caused some debate. It was allegedly owned in the Fifties by the Duke of Devonshire who later decided to sell various bits of his estate. The Duke managed to sell farms and fields, but the pub stuck and duly earned the local nickname the Unwanted Inn.

Finally it was bought by the Buswell family, the parents of Neville Buswell, who played Ray Langton in Coronation Street from (21 February 1966 to 15 November 1978).

Next week's walk: Hartington, SK17 0AL, 9.40am start.

Happy Wandering!