USING THIS GUIDE

The Mid- Footpath Society This guide describes the walk in both directions. For to Higher please turn to page 2. Waymarked Walks in Central Cheshire For Higher Burwardsley to Frodsham please turn to page 17. The use of Ordnance Survey 1:25000 maps to supplement the maps included in this guide is recommended. These provide more accurate and latest detail.

The following links provide on-line access to these maps which can be printed to take with you as paper or electronic copies. Click on the link and it should open the appropriate OS 25k “Streetmap”. You may need to scroll to the location arrow near the centre of the map which may be off your screen.

Frodsham

Newton

Brine's Brow

Kelsall

THE

Huxley From Frodsham to Higher Burwardsley (Revised route) Higher Burwardsley

The following links are to OpenStreetMap street level maps. An easy 27km (17 mile) walk in the Cheshire You can zoom in and out and drag the map to any location. countryside. OSM Frodsham OSM OSM Burwardsley

Eddisbury Way Page 2 of 32 ABOUT THE EDDISBURY WAY (Walking South)

Distance: 27.5 km or 17 miles

Waymark: Black lettering on yellow arrow, inscribed "Eddisbury way" Walking south from Frodsham to Maps: OS Explorer Maps 257 and 267

Higher Burwardsley Start: In the centre of Frodsham, at the obelisk outside the Bear's Paw at the junction of the A56 (Main Street / High Street) with the B5152 (Church Street) (grid ref SJ 517 779 & postcode WA6 7AF). (Please note that the route from the original start point at Frodsham Bridge may still appear on maps.)

Route: Frodsham-Newton-Brine's Brow-Kelsall-Duddon-Huxley- Higher Burwardsley

Parking: Street parking and various other car parks in Frodsham including the nearby railway station.

Public Transport: There are good rail services to Frodsham from , and and bus services from Chester, Warrington, and . There is no suitable direct bus service to Burwardsley and no rail service. The nearest regular bus service is from Chester to , which is about 4.5 km from Higher Burwardsley.

Refreshments: There are many public houses selling food in the villages along the route.

If you encounter any problems en route please report them to : Cheshire West and Chester Council (Website, letter or telephone)

Eddisbury Way Page 3 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 4 of 32 Frodsham to Newton 4.3 km or 2.7 miles

From the A56/B5152 junction at the Bear's Paw Inn A, go north east up the A56 (towards Warrington) using the pedestrian walkway on the right-hand side of the road. After about 230 yards, opposite Alexandra Mews where steps descend to the road, turn right up a ginnel between houses. Follow this path, cross the railway by a footbridge and in a few yards, at a footpath junction B, bear left to reach a road (Blue Hatch). Follow this road to Fluin Lane (B5439) C; turn left and then shortly right into Langdale Way. Follow this up to its end, where it meets Townfield Lane D, which is a track (a restricted byway). Turn right on to the track, passing a play area and then houses on your right, and take the first path on the left (another restricted byway) opposite No 93 E. Follow this down to where a path joins from the left down some steps (the original route). Continue to the bridge, over the stream F and on up the path slightly right, to come to Bradley by way of a lane with hedges on both sides.

At the end of this lane turn right and continue for 90m to the crossroads at Bradley. Keep straight on along Watery Lane (a little left and right). The road turns gently left and there are two footpaths near a pond on the right in 140m and a third also on your right 25m further on G. Take the third one, which is opposite a kissing gate, diagonally left across the field to a stile. A short path across the end of a garden leads to a second stile. After this bear right up the field to a narrow stile in the middle of the far hedge, and then on to a stile leading to a lane. Cross the lane to the gap opposite and climb the field heading for the farm at the top left. There is a stile leading to the main road to Frodsham B5152, where you turn left to the next road junction a few metres further on H. Turn right up this road past Such Farm.

In 90m, where the road turns right, the Eddisbury Way turns left along a private road with some houses on the left. At the last house on the right keep straight on to a track which keeps the hedge close on the right hand side. Keep the hedge on the right for 150m then turn right through it, not ahead through the gate, to continue in the same direction as before with the hedge on the left. Keep on through four fields to a track that leads down to the road (Hillfoot Lane) to Newton J. Turn right onto this road for a few metres.

Eddisbury Way Page 5 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 6 of 32 Newton to Brine's Brow 5.8 km or 3.6 miles

Climb the stile that is just a few metres along on the left A. Go across the slope to stile opposite where the field corner projects into the field you are crossing. Over the stile and keep on with the hedge on the left for 275m. Here there is a stile in the facing hedge and a stile in the left hand hedge. Go over the left stile and down the field to the main road, the B5152 Kingsley Road B, at Blakelees.

Turn right along the road for 230m to where five roads meet. Take the right hand one of the facing roads, Waterloo Lane. Keep on this road for 675m ignoring a road (Offal Pit Lane) coming in from the right. With a view of Eddisbury Hill as the road levels out, go on to a crossroads by Finney Farm C. Turn right on the unmade road for about 200m to a stile in the left hand hedge. Go straight down the field to a stile at the bottom and climb up at about 30° right to a stile under the pylons. Go diagonally across the field corner to a stile 40m away and continue in the same line across the next field, then over a stile and across another field to a sunken lane D.

A stile in the opposite hedge leads to a path straight across the field to yet another stile. From here keep the hedge and a wooded area on the left as you pass through the grounds of the former Crossley Hospital (now Kingsley Park housing). Enter the woods ahead at a stile near a gate and continue to a footpath signpost at the edge of the woods, by a Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society notice board E. Here the Eddisbury Way crosses the . Go over a stile and bear right across the field and the next two fields to come to New Pale Road F near New Pale Lodge. About 800m down the road are the houses of Manley Common G. At the bottom of the hill where the road turns right there are two footpaths on the left, one on either side of the hedge.

The path on the left of the hedge is the Sandstone Trail. The Eddisbury Way is the one on the right. Keep the hedge on your left to the first field corner and turn right to the end of the field. Go over a stile by a gate and turn right along the hedge to a stile in the corner which leads to a narrow path going left along the top of a wood. In 140m it emerges into fields again. Keep to the right hand field edge for 140m and as it turns left (the second time) watch for a thin track to the right through the bracken leading down to a bridge over the stream and a stile. Go over this and climb the field to a stile in the hedge at the top of the hill. After this continue on the same bearing to a post in the opposite hedge. Turn right along the field edge, then left under the railway H. After the bridge the path joins the road; The crossroads at Brine's Brow are 200m ahead J.

Eddisbury Way Page 7 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 8 of 32 Brine's Brow to Kelsall 3km or 2 miles

The official route continues for 350m along the road ahead A, but you may prefer to avoid part of it by turning left and following the route from the car park at Brine's Brow a. From the back of the car park climb up across a grassy area, keeping near the left hand fence. Where the fence turns left, keep ahead on a path roughly parallel to the road to reach a track at the top. Turn right then shortly left on the road to rejoin the official route.

Leave the road where it bends left B and go just to the left of a farm driveway to a stile in the corner. Over the stile bear slightly left up the field with the fence on the right to a stile near the end of the farmyard. Cross this and another stile and turn left across an open area with parked vehicles. Go through two double gates, just to the left of another gate, into a large field. Go half left across the field, heading just right of the power line pole in the middle of the field and continue on this line towards a small gap in the conifer hedge. Here there is a stile. Over this and turn left down the field edge, turning right in front of the next conifer hedge going across. At the next field corner there is a large water tap. Turn left here and keep the hedge on your left to the end. Turn right. Keep on at the next field corner with cultivated fields on the right to come to yet another conifer hedge (which borders the road), watch for a very narrow gap in the hedge and the wall. Pass through carefully to the road and turn right C.

In 230m pass the drive to 'Home Farm' and 140m further on come to a kissing gate on the left D. Through this, the path climbs the field half right, heading for an isolated tree part way up the slope; continue on to the far right hand top corner of the field. Climb the four steps, go through the kissing gate and continue with the hedge on the left. At the first hedge across, turn right keeping the hedge on your left. After two fields the path does a quick left and right wriggle to continue half left across two more fields to come to the Kelsall by-pass (A54) E. Cross with care through the gap in the central barriers provided for walkers and carry straight on across the field and on to a road (Broom's Lane) F. You are now entering Kelsall.

Eddisbury Way Page 9 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 10 of 32 Kelsall to the A51 near Duddon 4.9 km or 3 miles

Turn right along the road A and at the end turn right again and follow the narrow Grub Lane round to the left and down the hill. After passing the Scout HQ on the right, follow the road round to the right leaving the Chapel and the War Memorial on the right to turn left at the bottom of Chapel Green and come to the main road. Cross the road bearing slightly left to the entrance of 'The Morris Dancer' car park B and pass through the gap in the left fence. Take the tarmac path which passes a play area then bears right to skirt a housing estate and reach a road. Continue across this with a little right and left wriggle into a farm track that, through a kissing gate, becomes a green lane. Shortly, at a junction of paths C, turn left through a kissing gate and follow a line parallel to the right hand hedge to a kissing gate at a projecting fence corner. In the next field continue with the hedge on your left to the valley bottom.

Over the sleeper bridge bear right to the slightly higher ground and a kissing gate in the fence . Cross two farm drives and continue in the same line through a gate, with the tree line and hedge on your right, through two more kissing gates to another driveway. Over this, cross to the other side of the hedge line, go through a further gate and bear slightly right to a gate and a plank bridge. Across these and with the hedge on the right pass through three fields to Willington Road D.

At the road turn left, cross over and head for the post box just in front. Here turn right down Mill Lane to the entrance of Willington Mill farm. Turn right into a narrow lane between a privet hedge and the fence of Weetwood Cottage and go over a stile. Keep the hedge on your left for 90m and then bear right across the field to a stile near the far right hand corner. Turn left down the drive of a bungalow to a stile at the end of the right hand fence. Go over a second stile, cross a paddock to a third stile and turn right along the edge of a golf course, passing through a scrub area to reach a bridge. Turn left and go ahead across the golf course, following a hedge on the left. At the far corner go over a stile in a line of conifers. Turn right on the fruit farm track along the other side, then left at the first corner. Keep ahead on the same track through a series of orchards. The track eventually turns right to Duddon Mill E. Keep left on the farm road to come to the main road (A51) F in 800m.

Eddisbury Way Page 11 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 12 of 32 A51 (Duddon) to Huxley 4.0 km or 2.5 miles

Turn left along the A51 for 550m. Just past a bus shelter, cross the road and take the stile 50m down on the right A. Keep the hedge on the right to come to a minor road in 180m. Tum right for a few metres, passing the entrance to Meadowbank Farm and cross to a stile on the left. Go straight across the field keeping parallel to the left hand hedge and 20m from it. Cross the next field in the same direction along the line of an old hedge, now marked by two trees and a ditch. Continue on the same line in the next field and veer slightly right towards a field corner which sticks out into this field. At this corner turn a little more right to head for a stile in the far corner. Cross the farm track B to another stile and keep on through the farm buildings. At the end of the farmyard keep straight ahead across the drive to the farm, through a gate and over a stile, cross to another stile and continue down the field, slightly left, to the left hand end of a line of trees . Keep bearing slightly left to come in 230m to the far hedge by a pond C.

At the left side of the pond there is a stile in the hedge. With your back to this stile, cross the field bearing very slightly left to come to a stile in the opposite hedge. Continue in the same line to come to a footbridge over the (so called) Waterless Brook near the left hand field corner. There is another stile immediately to the right and yet another 10m on in the left hand fence. Cross this field diagonally towards the far left hand corner where there is a stile by a large tree. Go over the stile and continue with the hedge on the right to a stile leading to a lane.

Turn right to a T-junction, then left towards Huxley and Tattenhall. Pass Hoofield Barns on the left and continue down the road for about 200m to a stile and gate on the left D. Go through 3 fields (about 500m) and turn right at the corner of the third field E. Go through this field and the next with the hedge still on the left to a plank bridge in the corner of the second field. Continue in the same line with the hedges on the left At the end of the next field a stile leading to a bridge is about 30m to the right of the corner and just to the right of a gateway. Cross over and still keep the hedge on the left. At the next stile, head for the right hand side of the farm buildings, for a stile in the middle of a short fence. Pass the farm and then go ahead to a stile to the road F. Turn left to arrive at a road junction. You are now entering Huxley.

Eddisbury Way Page 13 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 14 of 32 Huxley to Higher Burwardsley 5.5 km or 3.5 miles

Continue on, passing Elm Tree Cottages and the Chapel. In 90m there is a stile on the right Map 5G. Keep the hedge on the right to come to a gap at the end of the field. Turn half left and cross the field to an intruding field corner 90m away. At the corner turn half right and keep the fence on the right to come to a stile in the field corner. Bearing half left, cross this large field to the far right corner (450m). Keep just right of the ponds in the middle of the field Map 5H/Map 6A. Over this stile and across the field moving slightly further away from the field hedge on the right to a protruding hedge point on the opposite side. Here, drop left down a slight dip, where a guidepost marks the start of a path through a wooded area.

The correct route stays to the right of the canal spillway to come to a wide footbridge. Cross this and continue with the stream on the right to arrive at the canal aqueduct B. (If this route is impassable, go ahead across the spillway to the aqueduct.) Go under the aqueduct and continue right to a gate and a stile. Follow the hedge on the right, then just past a gate bear left diagonally across the field to a gate and a stile leading to a farm track. In 90m is a junction, turn right under the railway C and then immediately left through a kissing gate. Bear right to a kissing gate in the opposite hedge and continue in the same line for 230m to a farm track. Go left on this for 90m to a kissing gate on the left where the track turns right. Go diagonally across the field towards the far left corner. 30m before the comer go through a kissing gate in a fence, closely followed by another in the left hand hedge. Turn right to go between the pond and the hedge (or round the pond if necessary) to a footbridge, then on to a stile at the roadside. Turn left along the road to the crossroads and, after a left/right wriggle D, keep on down the minor road for 1200m, passing Lanes Farm and Ivy Farm to where the road turns sharp left E. Keep straight on up the track through the gate for 45m to where the track turns left and climb the stone stile in the right hand wall.

Go ahead with farm buildings on the left to a stile and bridge in the opposite hedge; ignore a waymark on the left at the end of the farm. Keep on up the field, aim for a large tree just right of straight ahead. Keep on an old hedge line, marked by two trees, to a gate and stile. Over the stile turn left across the field to a bridge over the stream and then on between farm and woods to a stile in the middle of a fence. Turn right to the road then left up the farm road F to a stile on the left (130m). Cross the field diagonally for 130m to a stile in the opposite hedge and continue uphill with the hedge on the right to cross a minor road G in 250m Follow a narrow path through the trees to the top of the hill and continue to the top corner of the field where a stile leads to the road H. Turn left to join the Sandstone Trail, or right to get to Higher Burwardsley and the Pheasant Inn j.

Eddisbury Way Page 15 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 16 of 32 ABOUT THE EDDISBURY WAY (Walking North)

Distance: 27.5 km or 17 miles

Waymark: Black lettering on yellow arrow, inscribed "Eddisbury way"

Walking north Maps: OS Explorer Maps 257 and 267 Start: Rock Lane, Higher Burwardsley, grid ref. SJ 525 567 from Approx. 500m from both the Pheasant Inn and the Cheshire Workshops walkers' car park. CH3 9PF

Higher Burwardsley Route: Higher Burwardsley-Huxley-Duddon-Kelsall-Brine's Brow- Newton-Frodsham

to Frodsham Parking: Burwardsley Craft Centre (Cheshire Workshops, grid ref. SJ 522 564 tel no 01829 770 401) Also at the Pheasant Inn by arrangement

Public Transport: There are good rail services from Frodsham to Chester, Ellesmere Port and Warrington and bus services to Chester, Warrington, Runcorn and Northwich. There is no suitable direct bus service to Burwardsley and no rail service. The nearest regular bus service is from Chester to Tattenhall, which is about 4.5 km from Higher Burwardsley.

Refreshments: There are many public houses selling food in the villages along the route.

If you encounter any problems en route please report them to : Cheshire West and Chester Council (Website, letter or telephone)

Eddisbury Way Page 17 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 18 of 32 Higher Burwardsley to Huxley 5.5 km or 3.5 miles

From the Pheasant Inn j go south to the crossroads, turn left into Fowlers Bench Lane and after a short distance turn left, signed 'No Through Road' and 'Sandstone Trail' into Rock Lane. Fork left on to he narrow road and continue for about 90m past the house to the bend which is about 40m before the sharp right bend where the Sandstone Trail joins the road. Take the path on your left signed for the start of the Eddisbury Way H. Head down the field to a stile into the woodland and follow the steep narrow path to cross a minor road (Pennsylvania Lane) G.

Go through the gate and keep the hedge on the left for 250m to a stile leading into a field on the left. Cross diagonally down the field to the far left corner to a farm road. Turn right down the road and through the gates of Outlanes Farm. Go over the stile on the right F to the end of the farm buildings and left over a stile.

Go ahead between the farm and the wood to a bridge over a stream, carry on up the slope to a gate and stile, over the stile, turn left, follow the old hedge line, now marked by 2 trees, and continue down the field towards the centre of the farm buildings to a stile and a bridge in the facing hedge. Keep to the same line to a stone stile on the sandstone wall by the farm entrance. Over this, turn left down the track and continue in the same direction as it joins a minor road E to come, in 1200m, to a crossroads D.

Go on in the direction of Newton for 150m to a stile in the right hand hedge by a large tree. Turn left over this stile for a few metres to a stile in the field corner. Keep between the pond and the hedge (if you can) to the next pair of stiles in the left hand hedge. In the next field turn right and head for the far left hand corner of the field. Here turn half left to follow the farm track for 90m to a stile in the right hand fence. Bear left across this field heading for the railway bridge and stile in the left hand hedge just right of a small pond. Go under the railway C and 50m on turn left heading north. In about 100m turn right to go diagonally across the field to a stile in the comer 400m away. Take the farm track under the canal aqueduct B. Ignore a stile immediately to the right. In 7m, as the track bears left, take the path straight ahead, with a stream on the left, to cross a broad footbridge. Then bear right to a path left of the canal spillway to a field. Turn half left and climb the field, gradually nearing the left hand hedge, to come to a stile in the facing hedge about 20m from the left hand corner. The next stile is 450m away diagonally across this field. Keep to the left of the ponds in the middle Map 6A/Map 5H. Over the stile keep to the left hand hedge a few metres to the corner then bear left to a gap in the corner leading to the next field. Turn right and ascend by the hedge to the road in Huxley Map 5G.

Eddisbury Way Page 19 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 20 of 32 Huxley to the A51 (Duddon) 4.0 km or 2.5 miles

Turn left at the road G and at the junction continue ahead for 60m to the stile on the right F. Cross to the left of the farm buildings and then go slightly left to walk with the hedge to your right. Go ahead to a stile in the right hand corner of the field and continue left with the hedge on your right to the end of the field. Continue in the same direction with the hedge to the right through this field and the next. In the corner of the third field E turn left and go on through this field and two more to the road D. Turn right along the road, passing Hoofield Hall and turn right at the next road junction, 30m on the left is a stile leading into a field. Keep the hedge on the left to pass over a stile and on to a stile in the left hand hedge. Turn right and bear across the field to a stile in the opposite hedge near the corner. Turn right over the stile to a nearby stile a few metres away, Bear right and go over the footbridge across the (so called) Waterless Brook.

Head up the field keeping parallel to the right hand hedge to a stile in the in the hedge opposite. Cross the next field in the same line to a stile near a large pond. Turn left round the pond C and head for the right hand end of a line of trees 230m away and in the direction of a large farm at (ignore the long farm track to your left from the trees to the road). Here there is a crossing point over an often muddy ditch. Continue up the field towards the centre of the Burton Turkey Farm, aiming just left of the rightmost pair of buildings.

Cross the farm roads and go between the farm buildings with the two large buildings on your right. Through the farm on this line you will cross a farm track and a stile immediately opposite B. Head for the right hand hedge corner 120m ahead slightly to your right, then bear left up the field getting gradually closer to the right hand hedge to come to a stile near the top right hand corner. Continue along the line of an old hedge shown by trees and a ditch. Watch for a stile on the right where the hedge starts again and continue in the same line to the road. Turn right along the road to pass the entrance to Meadowbank Farm, then immediately left over a stile to follow the left hand hedge to the busy A51 A. Cross the road and turn left.

The next section of the Eddisbury Way starts 500m on your right at Mill Lane which a very narrow lane past Back Lane.

Eddisbury Way Page 21 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 22 of 32 The A51 Duddon to Kelsall 4.9 km or 3 miles

From the A51 turn right into Mill Lane F. This narrow surfaced road goes between hedges, high in places, to Duddon Mill E in 900m. At the farm turn right along a track at the field edge where tall conifers form a wind break. In 180m turn left at the field corner. Ignore a footpath that goes right over a bridge about 25m from the corner and continue ahead along the track through the fruit trees. Keep on after a little right and left wriggle to the field corner where you can see a golf course beyond, turn right here to walk with the fruit trees to your right and the golf course on your left. Turn left at the next path junction to cross the golf course in a straight line. Take the path to the right about 60m before the house and surfaced track. After 160m go left over the stile and walk between the houses for 27m and then over a stile to your right into a field and bear right across the field to the hedge and then turn half left along the hedge to a stile in the field corner which leads to a narrow path. Turn left on to Mill Lane to come to a road in 180m D.

Turn left and then right through a kissing gate adjacent to the first field gate. Go on through two more fields keeping the hedge on the left. At the field corner there is a plank bridge over a stream and a kissing gate. Angle right to the kissing gate in the top right corner and turn left. Through two more gates with the house drive in between. Continue on this line keeping the hedge on the left, through another gate ignoring the path coming in from the left.

Cross the drive (actually two drives) to a farm. Through the next gate and bear right down to a stream. Here a gate is approached via a stout wooden bridge. The path then climbs up the field, through a gate to another kissing gate in the top right hand field corner. Cross the next field staying parallel to the hedge on the left to a kissing gate giving access to a farm track C. Turn right along this track for 90m to cross a minor road and, with a little right and left wriggle, continue on a broad track which quickly narrows to a path between hedges to the left of a gate. After 250m the path goes left past Kelsall Playground and on to the Morris Dancer car park where you meet the Chester Road in Kelsall B.

Cross the road bearing slightly left and then right into Holland's Lane. After 30m turn right in front of the War Memorial and then past the Methodist Church into Grub Lane (not the 'No Entry' Earles Lane). Climb up Grub Lane and at the junction with Dutton's Lane go left into Broom's Lane. At the point where the road turns right you go left through a kissing gate between a house hedge and a low brick building A.

Eddisbury Way Page 23 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 24 of 32 Kelsall to Brine's Brow 3km or 2 miles

Walk between houses F and across fields to the busy by-pass road (A54). Before you cross the by-pass look left at the view. Very carefully cross the by-pass through the gap provided in the central barriers and over the stile opposite E. The next section of the walk goes through a series of rectangular fields protected by high evergreen fences and designed for fruit growing. The path follows the hedges and is well way-marked. After two fields the path does a quick left and right wriggle to continue on the left of a tall privet hedge through two more fields. A way-mark then points left down the field edge. At the next field corner there is a kissing gate on the right leading to four steps and a field path down to the right to an isolated tree and then on to a kissing gate next to the field gate leading to Longley Lane D.

Turn right along the road and in 140m pass the drive to Home Farm on the left of the road. 250m further, on the left of the road look for a finger post and narrow gap in the hedge C. Through this and turn right. This leads to another series of high hedged fruit fields where the path follows the field edges. Go past the first conifer hedge bearing very slightly right to the second conifer hedge. Turn left in front of this hedge to the next junction of four fields. Here is a big water tap and the path turns right to keep the hedge on the right. At the next field corner turn left down the track. The path has a little wriggle in it. After this watch out for a narrow unmarked gap in the hedge on your right through which there is a well marked stile leading to an open field. Turn half left and head under the power line for the far field corner where a stile leads over the end of a track to Woodside Farm. Cross the track and turn left over a stile to keep the fence on your left. In a corner of the field there is a stile leading out to the road B.

Turn left and then take the right fork signed '' to walk up to the Brine's Brow crossroads A.

As an alternative you may go through the woods to the picnic area at Brine's Brow using the Baker Way. Having taken the 'Mouldsworth' road you turn right where the Baker Way crosses your road and then turn left to head towards the Brine's Brow car park a which exits 50m east of the crossroads.

At the crossroads you turn right (north) on Dark Ark Lane towards Manley and Frodsham to continue the walk.

Eddisbury Way Page 25 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 26 of 32 Brine's Brow to Newton 5.8 km or 3.6 miles

From the Brine's Brow crossroads J go north towards Manley and Frodsham. In 200m take the signposted track on the right (35m before the bridge) that leads to a stile just under the railway bridge H. Turn right and walk parallel to the railway for 100m then bear half left up the slope to a stile in the hedge. Go ahead 180m across and down this field to a stile and a bridge over the stream. Climb the bank to the field edge and turn left round to the top left field corner. Here the stile leads to a narrow path at the top of the wooded slope. At the cross fence turn right over the stile and climb the field for 90m to the start of a line of trees where you turn left. Keep along this field edge with the hedge on your right to a corner and turn left to come to New Pale Road in Manley Common in about 90m G. The Sandstone Trail lies on the other side of the hedge on this last stretch.

Turn right up the road for 800m. At the top where the road turns left near the entrance to New Pale Lodge, there is a stile and a gate on the right F. Keep the hedge on the right until it stops and continue in the same line to a stile in the opposite hedge. Cross the next field (more or less parallel to the power lines) to the far right corner of this field. Here a stile leads to a broad cross path (the Delamere Way) E; keep ahead on a track that goes slightly right through the trees to a surfaced drive. Opposite are a gate and stile and a path down the field edge with the fence on the right. Continue through the next field and cross the next, heading for the pylon opposite. Cross the minor road D and bear roughly parallel to the power lines to a stile near the right hand corner of the field. Turn left to a stile in the hedge and cross the next field to a farm road well to the left of the white house (Finney Farm) and turn right. At the Waterloo Lane junction in 130m turn left C to come to Blakelees in 680m.

At the end of the road in Blakelees turn right on Meeting House Lane to the crossroads then left along Road (B5152) signposted to Frodsham and Runcorn At the end of the houses on the left is a garage yard. Immediately beyond the yard turn left over a stile B and go up the field with the fence on your left. At the corner of the field go over a stile and turn right. Keep the hedge on your right for 360m to a stile in the field comer. Continue in the same line across the next field to a gate and a stile leading to the minor road to Newton A.

Eddisbury Way Page 27 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 28 of 32 Newton to Frodsham 4.3 km or 2.7 miles

At this minor road J turn right for a few yards then turn left up a farm track immediately after a large house. Continue through the field gates/stiles for four fields with the hedge on your right. Near the end of the fourth field look for a gap in the hedge on the right, pass through and continue on the same line down a track along the back of Kingsley Green which was the National Children's Home (Newton Hall). Pass between houses to come to a minor road at which you turn right. At the main road in 90m tum left and cross over to the stile 27m on the right H.

Go straight down the field towards a minor road, turning left to the gap to the road which you cross to the stile opposite. Continue slightly left across the next field (heading more or less for Norton Water Tower on the horizon ahead) to a stile in the cross hedge and then a little more left, heading for the left hand end of the garden of the house in the dip below. The path goes across the end of the garden with an interesting iron stile at each end and then bears slightly right (heading towards the farm buildings on the near sky line) to a stile in the hedge on the right and thence to a road G. Turn left along this minor road (Watery Lane), ignoring two footpath signs on the left to come in 180m to the crossroads in Bradley.

Keep straight on for 140m until you come to the end of the buildings and the track turns right at Dingle Barn. Turn left down a track between hedges for 360m. The track continues into woodland (Hob Hey Wood) and descends to cross a stream F. About 100m on, to the right, there are some stone steps which formed part of the old route to Frodsham Bridge. Keep walking west to Townfield Lane E where you turn right.

Walk past the play area on your left and turn left into Langdale Way D. Walk to the T junction with Fluin Lane C where you turn left and after 50m right into Blue Hatch. Keep to the left to take the path between the houses at the head of the cul- de-sac B. In 20m at the path crossroads turn right and go over the railway to reach the pedestrian path above the A56 High Street.

Turn left and walk down to the traffic lights where you can cross to the Sandstone Trail obelisk outside the Bear's Paw A.

Eddisbury Way Page 29 of 32 Eddisbury Way Page 30 of 32 THE MID-CHESHIRE FOOTPATH SOCIETY

The Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society was formed in 1961 for all those interested in More About The Eddisbury Way keeping open and well-marked the footpaths in that part of Cheshire not covered by existing societies. Its area is bounded by , Runcorn, , , The Eddisbury Way is one of the medium-to-long-distance footpaths Audlem, Malpas and Chester. created by the Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society and for which guide leaflets have been produced. It is named after the area through which it passes. The Society organizes walks throughout the year on Wednesdays and alternate Now perhaps best known as a Parliamentary constituency, it was the site Sundays, covering as many different areas as possible. The purpose of these walks, for a late Bronze Age double-ditched hill fort which stood on the central which are generally between five and eight miles long, is to inspect, and sandstone ridge of what is now Cheshire. The fort was destroyed in the first subsequently report on, the condition of the paths, to the local authority responsible century AD. Eddisbury continued as an important centre through to the for the maintenance of public rights of way. See www.mcfs.org.uk Middle Ages and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Publications available from the Society... The Eddisbury Way is shown on OS 25K maps as a trail using the green diamond symbol on the usual green lines. The Baker Way from Chester to Delamere stations 21 km

The Delamere Way from Frodsham to Stockton Heath 34 km

The trail name is written along the footpath symbol at various intervals. The Longster Trail from Hill to Chester 19 km

Walkers should be aware that whilst the MCFS frequently replaces the The from to Mow Cop 55 km yellow waymark discs, these and finger posts do go missing from time to time. Since this booklet was last revised, stiles may have been replaced by The from Hooton to Disley (book) 114 km kissing gates or gaps in the hedge and hedges may have been removed. Although farmers are obliged to reinstate footpaths crossing their fields, sometimes this does not happen and routes can become obscure particularly in late summer. You should always endeavour to keep to the Acknowledgements... path even if it is through a crop. Writers and Walkers: David Kinsell, Eric Butler and others, as well as Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, the those members who maintain the way-marks. MCFS cannot be held responsible for errors, omissions and post The 2019 version was walked in 2018 from north to south publication changes to the route. by Elisabeth Sullivan and Society members. Web version: Peter Waite

Mapping Peter Waite © OpenStreetMap Contributors Please observe the map copyrights.

Revision 3 – October 2019

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