Walks and Wildlife South of Congleton

Walks and Wildlife South of Congleton tryside and un E o du C c n a a ti e o D n a l m T a i r l u l i s t W Congleton Southern Fringes Walks described in this leaflet Contents Distance Page Walks and Wildlife 4–5 Astbury Mere - Easy Access Trail 1 mile (1.6km) 6–7 Town and Country 11/2 miles (2.4km) 8–9 The Priesty Trail - One Way 11/2 miles (2.4km) 10–11 More Local Wildlife 12–13 Legions and Sand 4 miles (6.4km) 14–15 Fieldways and Waterways 4 miles (6.4km) 16–17 Geology and Landscape 18–19 2 | Walks and Wildlife Congleton Southern Fringes Key Footpath i Information Bridleway P Parking Building The information in this booklet is indicative only. Definitive information on Public Rights of Way can be obtained from Cheshire East Council Public Rights of Way. Cheshire East Council accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors and no liability for information or services provided by third parties. All maps © Crown copyright and database rights 2017. Ordnance Survey 100049045. South of Congleton | 3 Walks and Wildlife Walks Respect - Protect - Enjoy Respect other people: This booklet contains five walks ● consider the local community and ranging from one mile to four miles in other people enjoying the outdoors the countryside south of Congleton. ● leave gates and property as you find The Easy Access Trail at Astbury Mere them and follow paths unless wider Country Park is suitable for wheelchair access is available and pushchair users. The remaining four walks explore the countryside south of Protect the natural environment: Congleton town using country lanes, ● leave no trace of your visit and take footpaths, bridleways and green lanes. your litter home ● keep dogs under effective control To enjoy any activity in the countryside it’s best to be prepared. Walking boots Enjoy the outdoors: or strong shoes are recommended as ● plan ahead and be prepared some paths may be rough underfoot or ● follow advice and local signs muddy. Waterproofs and warm clothes are useful as the weather can change If you encounter any problems please quickly, even in summer. contact the Ranger at Astbury Mere Country Park on 01260 297237 Please ensure you follow the or email Countryside Code: [email protected]. 4 | Walks and Wildlife Wildlife These are a source of nectar for many insects including bees and butterflies. On all of the walks you can see Comma and peacock butterflies lay wild plants growing in and beside their eggs on the common nettle so hedgerows, in the woodlands and in the their caterpillars have an immediate fields. The variety of plants support a food source. wide range of insects, animals and birds that live, shelter and feed on them. Birds and animals use hedges to build nests, find shelter and hunt for food. In The hedgerows are very important in spring, blue tits and great tits feed their the lifecycle of many plants and young on caterpillars and other insects creatures. Hedgerows are made up of that inhabit the hedge. Flocks of trees such as hawthorn, holly, blackthorn long-tailed tits along with the occasional and hazel with infrequent wych elm and goldcrest and treecreeper can be seen hybrid plum. in the autumn foraging for hibernating insects in the bark of the trees. In the past, and still occasionally today, hedges are maintained by hedge-laying. For more on wildlife see page 12. This is a time consuming activity but can provide an excellent stock-proof hedge. Most hedges are now cut mechanically with the occasional tree such as oak, ash, or sycamore left to grow to their full height. Beneath the hedgerows is the herb layer which often includes willowherb, foxglove and the smelly hedge woundwort. In spring and summer there can be a wonderful display of flowers. mikeatkinson.net South of Congleton | 5 Astbury Mere Country Park Easy Access Trail All paths are suitable for pushchairs The Country Park is on the site of a and independent wheelchairs, former sand quarry and was saved however some assistance may be from development for housing and required on the steeper slopes. A industry in the 1980s by local residents. pre-booked manual wheelchair is The park is now owned and managed available from the Ranger Service. by the independent charity, Astbury Mere Trust. More information can be Cross the car park and enter the site at found in the park Visitor Centre or at the entrance by the noticeboard. Bear www.astburymerecountrypark.co.uk. right and follow the lakeside path to complete a circuit of the lake. There is Key Easy Access Trail seating every 100m along the path. Footpath Other paths within Astbury Mere Country Park Bridleway 6 | Walks and Wildlife Time Allow about 40 minutes Start By the Visitor Centre Refreshments Mobile caterer on site at weekends and school holidays Distance 1 mile (1.6 km) South of Congleton | 7 Town and Country before The Howty brook take the path on your right, up three steps and through a kissing gate. Continue straight ahead through another kissing gate and follow the side of the valley before exiting the field to follow along a tree lined path to eventually reach the road ahead. Follow the road round to the right then turn left into Moody Street to the town centre. Turn right to return to the Town Hall. There are several different period buildings in Congleton town centre. Several were built using local stone, for example St. Peter’s Church. More Starting with your back to Congleton information about local history can be Town Hall cross the High Street and found at Congleton Museum, situated enter Canal Street. Take the first right behind the Town Hall. turn into Chapel Street and walk up past St. Peter’s Church. At the end of The Howty brook starts in the Chapel Street turn left on to Howey countryside just south of Congleton, Lane. Continue up the hill until the flows under Congleton High Street and cemetery entrance is seen on the left. into the River Dane, eventually flowing Bear right onto the bridleway. west into the Irish Sea. Follow the path between the hedges Key Town and to a field. Continue on across the field Country route and through a gate onto Lambert’s Footpath Lane bridleway. Turn right and follow Bridleway the lane through the metal gate. Just 8 | Walks and Wildlife Time Allow about 45 minutes Start Congleton Town Hall Refreshments Only in town, none on the walk Distance 11/2 miles (2.4 km) South of Congleton | 9 The Priesty Trail In the middle ages the priests of St. Mary’s Church used to walk from Astbury to what is now St. Peter’s Church in Congleton to hold services. Congleton at that time was smaller than Astbury and Congleton’s “Chapel at Ease” could not perform weddings or funerals and had no full time clergy. Start from St. Peter’s Church in Chapel To continue, follow the path through Street. From the main church gate an old kissing gate and turn right. walk towards the junction with Howey When the field opens up, bear left Lane. Cross over into Priesty Fields. towards another kissing gate. Pass through the kissing gate and head up At the end of the tarmac road follow the incline towards the church spire. the signed footpath through a kissing The path exits the field on a track gate. The path follows alongside an that leads to School Lane. Walk down old stone wall and then continues on the lane, turn right by the school, between two hedges. Go through the finishing the walk at St. Mary’s Church first kissing gate on your right, proceed in Astbury. over Paynes Bridge and continue up the gentle incline to the junction with To return to Congleton either retrace Stony Lane. Turn left along the sunken your steps or follow one of the other path, then bear right on to the lane waymarked footpaths as shown on down towards Moreton Meadows. the map. Take the path directly ahead of you and continue past the buildings on your right. St Peter’s Church St Mary’s Church 10 | Walks and Wildlife Time Allow 1 – 11/2 hours – inc. return Start St. Peter’s Church, Chapel Street, Congleton Refreshments Plenty in the town and Astbury village Distance 11/2 miles (2.4 km) - one way 3 miles (4.8 km) – return Key Priesty Trail Footpath Bridleway South of Congleton | 11 More Local Wildlife Sheltered green lanes and field hedges During your walk you may pass through are excellent places to see a wide many different types of grassland. Some variety of butterflies. Look for comma, fields have been ‘improved’ by farmers small tortoiseshell, speckled wood sowing few high yield grass species and peacock from March to October, to which fertilisers are added. There meadow brown and gatekeeper from is little plant variety in these fields. By June into the autumn. The orange tip, comparison, unimproved meadows a very recognisable butterfly, is only have a rich flora of grasses and flowering seen flying between April and June. It plants and are best seen in spring and lays its eggs on garlic mustard, hedge summer before being cut or grazed. mustard and the cuckoo flower which Such plants include thistles, is Cheshire’s county flower. crested-dog’s tail, red and white clover and birds-foot trefoil, which Chaffinches, blackbirds and other the caterpillars of the common blue members of the finch and thrush butterfly feed on.

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