South Cheshire Way A4

CONTENTS The Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society Page

Waymarked Walks in Central Cheshire About the South Cheshire Way 3

Using this guide (including online map links) 6

Points of interest 9 Congleton

Sandbach Mow Walking eastwards 15 Cop Grindley Brook to Marbury Big Mere 17 Scholar Green Biddulph Marbury Big Mere to Aston Village 21 Crewe Aston Village to River Weaver 24 River Weaver to A51 by Lea Forge 26 Nantwich Kidsgrove A51 by Lea Forge to Weston Church 29 Weston Church to Haslington Hall 33 Haslington Hall to Thurlwood 37 Thurlwood to Little Moreton Hall (A34) 41 Little Moreton Hall (A34) to Mow Cop 43 Stoke on Trent

Grindley Brook Audlem Walking westwards 45 Mow Cop to Little Moreton Hall (A34) 47 Whitchurch Little Moreton Hall (A34) to Thurlwood 49 Thurlwood to Haslington Hall 51 Haslington Hall to Weston Church 55 Weston Church to A51 by Lea Forge 59 A51 by Lea Forge to River Weaver 63 River Weaver to Aston Village 66 THE SOUTH CHESHIRE WAY Aston Village to Marbury Big Mere 69 Marbury Big Mere to Grindley Brook 73 From Grindley Brook to Mow Cop Update information (Please read before walking) 77 About The Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society 78

A 55km (34 mile) walk in the Cheshire countryside.

South Cheshire Way Page 2 of 78 Links with other footpaths ABOUT THE SOUTH CHESHIRE WAY There are excellent links with other long distance footpaths at either end. At Grindley Brook there are links with the 'Shropshire Way', the 'Bishop Bennet Bridleway', the 'Sandstone Trail', the 'Maelor Way' and the (now The South Cheshire Way was originally conceived as a route in the late unsupported) 'Marches Way'. 1970's by Jack Baker, a keen supporter of Public Rights of Way and the At Mow Cop, there are links with the 'Gritstone Trail' and thence to the founder of 'The Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society'. 'Staffordshire Way', which together provide a waymarked route from Disley, The project was passed to three Society members, Janet Clarke, Justin near Stockport, to Kinver Edge, near Stourbridge. The 'Staffordshire McCarthy and Brenda Passey, to develop detail planning and establish the Moorlands Walk' and the 'Cheshire Ring Canal Walk' are also close-by, the route on the ground, prior to its official opening by civic dignitaries on 17 latter having a common route for 4.2 km. September 1988. South-east of Crewe it also shares a common route with the 'Crewe and Nantwich Circular Walk'. The route It is the second longest of the Society's long distance 'sponsored' walks Getting there by rail through the Cheshire countryside, being some 55 kilometres in length. There are rail stations at Whitchurch, Wrenbury, Crewe and Kidsgrove. All but Running between Grindley Brook (SY13 4QJ), just north of Whitchurch, Wrenbury require a short bus or taxi ride to join the trail. Shropshire in the west and Mow Cop (ST7 3PA) on the Staffordshire border at Getting there by bus its eastern end, the route goes close to, but avoids the main towns in the area There are bus services which will get you to or near to various points along allowing it to pass through some of Cheshire's best walking country. The map the trail but the timetable will need to be checked. on the front page illustrates the location of near towns and villages. Car parking The South Cheshire Way is shown on OS 25K maps as a trail using the green There are many parking locations along the route and many public houses will diamond symbol on the usual green lines. usually provide parking if asked.

Accommodation There are a number of farmhouses and guesthouses en route that offer a The trail name is written along the footpath symbol at various intervals. range of accommodation, as well as a variety of different sized pubs and Walkers are advised to take particular care where this way joins other trails hotels. marked with the diamond symbol as you could end up walking on a different trail. Refreshments There are many public houses and other outlets selling food and drink in the Walkers should be aware that whilst the MCFS frequently replaces the yellow villages along the route. 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 kissing gates Maps or gaps in the hedge and hedges may have been removed. Although farmers OS Explorer Maps 257 and 268. are obliged to reinstate footpaths crossing their fields, sometimes this does not happen and routes can become obscure particularly in late summer. You Waymark should always endeavour to keep to the path even if it is through a crop. Black lettering on yellow arrow, inscribed "SCW"

South Cheshire Way Page 3 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 4 of 78 Path Problems USING THIS GUIDE If you encounter any problems en route please report them to : Cheshire East Council (website, letter or telephone) or Shropshire County This guide describes the walk in both directions. Council for the area between Grindley Brook and the A49. To walk east from Grindley Brook to Mow Cop please turn to page 15. To walk west from Mow Cop to Grindley Brook please turn to page 45. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, the MCFS cannot be held responsible for errors, omissions and post publication changes The use of Ordnance Survey 1:25000 maps to supplement the maps included to the route. in this guide is recommended. These provide more detailed information, particularly at field level. Copyright All the maps included within this document use OpenStreetMap as the base The following links provide on-line access to these maps which can be printed mapping and non-copyright material for the overlays. to take with you as paper or electronic copies. Click on the link and it should The overlays are © Peter Waite (The author). 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. © Open StreetMap contributors. The data is available under the Open Database Licence which can be seen at www.openstreetmap.org/copyright. Grindley Brook Hough Common This document, which is provided in pdf format, may be copied and distributed in whole but not in part. You may print copies of this document for your Wicksted Old Hall Weston personal use and to allow you to organise walks for a group of walkers provided that you do not make any charge for the documents. You may Marbury Big Mere Crewe Green download the pdf file to your 'phone or tablet to save printing out the document – just make sure that your battery is fully charged before you Smeaton Hall Haslington Hall venture out! Aston Village Hassall For part or total inclusion in another publication or for any other purpose written permission from the Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society is required. Broomhall Thurlwood

River Weaver Little Moreton Hall

Bearcat Fields Mow Cop

A51 by Lea Forge

The following links are to OpenStreetMap street level maps. You can zoom in and out and drag the map to any location.

OSM Weston OSM Mow Cop

South Cheshire Way Page 5 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 6 of 78 Layout of pages The route instructions are fairly detailed, providing both a copy of the section Walking the route map and superscript references to points of interest that are shown on the It is possible, but not advisable, to walk using only the maps in this booklet. map as yellow triangles and listed on page 9. However, it is recommended that walkers also use an O.S. Explorer 1:25,000 Walk sections map. These are split into nine sections of between 4.7 and 8.8 kilometres in length. Whilst none of the sections can be classed as too demanding, the last part With the exception of sections 8 and 9, these are divided into two parts in from Ackers Crossing (railway) to Mow Cop is uphill, climbing some 200 order to provide full and easy walking directions. The sections are: metres or more in height, over a distance of around two kilometres. The remainder of the route is generally across gently rolling or flat countryside and 1. Grindley Brook to Marbury Big Mere 5.7 km there are no towns of any size to be negotiated. 2. Marbury Big Mere to Aston Village 6.7 km 3. Aston Village to River Weaver 6.7 km Bearing in mind the vagaries of the British weather, it is advisable to wear 4. River Weaver to A51 by Lea Forge 6.0 km strong walking footwear and also to carry waterproofs. Farmland can still be 5. A51 by Lea Forge to Weston Church 6.4 km muddy, even in mid-summer! 6. Weston Church to Haslington Hall 5.2 km 7. Haslington Hall to Thurlwood 8.8 km Very little of the route uses main roads, although obviously these have to be 8. Thurlwood to Little Moreton Hall (A34) 4.9 km crossed or walked for very short distances from time to time. Quiet lanes, 9. Little Moreton Hall (A34) to Mow Cop 4.7 km although not used excessively, are utilised wherever possible to connect ______paths. Total Distance 55.1 km Relating maps to text The usual road safety naturally applies, walk on footways or verges where All maps are shown with north towards the top of the map as you read the these exist. Where this is not possible then walk along the right-hand side of map text, irrespective of route direction. Some maps have been rotated on the the road. The exception to this is the approach to a right-hand bend, when page to improve their readability. walkers should cross over to the left-hand side for improved visibility, crossing The map letter in the circle allows you to cross reference the points of interest. back to the right-hand side as soon as it is safe to do. The red letters provide waymarks to link the text to the map. All the maps use OpenStreetMap as their base with overlays to suit this document. OpenStreetMap is being updated and refined continuously. You can see the latest version of the base map at www.openstreetmap.org

Navigation on the ground The route on the ground is clearly marked with waymarks consisting of the usual yellow arrow with the initials SCW clearly printed in the middle.

South Cheshire Way Page 7 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 8 of 78 B2 Impressive view of Marbury Church looking north across Marbury Big Mere. POINTS OF INTEREST C1 The name 'Marbury' has its origins in the words 'mere' - a great pool, and 'birig' - a dwelling, (i.e. 'the house by the pool'). Marbury is an unspoilt, tranquil village, Points of interest are shown on the maps by a yellow triangle . 'Superscript' numbers nestling amongst the rolling hills along the South Cheshire/Shropshire border. in the route text identify this connection and are linked to the map letter, e.g. The village contains some interesting half- timbered buildings, as well as the 2 Hankelow Hall in the route text for map G refers to note G2 in the points of interest. popular 'Swan Inn' public house. The yellow triangle containing a + within it indicates more than one point at or near Take a look at the impressive sight of Marbury Church, built on a hillock in an that location. imposing position overlooking 'Big Mere'. The village has long recognised the wonderful view to be had from the churchyard and has provided benches for Points of Interest listed by map letter villagers and visitors alike to peacefully sit and admire the 'Big Mere' view. The 13th-century church, St. Michael and All Angels, has six bells in its tower, five A1 Grindley Brook is the junction of a number of long-distance footpaths as well as of which were cast in 1719, the sixth probably being Victorian. a bridleway, all meeting at this point. These are: D1 The South Cheshire Way skirts around the south of Wrenbury village, one of the  Maelor Way (link between SCW and the Offa's Dyke Path) more interesting villages en route and well worth a small diversion. The village  Sandstone Trail (Frodsham to Whitchurch) is mentioned in the Domesday Book as being part of the estates held by William  Shropshire Way (circular county walk from Shrewsbury with spur to de Malbanc who came over with William the Conqueror. Grindley Brook) The present church, St. Margaret's, dates back to about 1500 and was built using  South Cheshire Way (Mow Cop to Grindley Brook) sandstone from the near-by Bickerton Hills. The earliest record of a church on  Bishop Bennett Bridleway (below Beeston Castle to Whitchurch) the site, dates back to the early 12th century, when it was in charge of monks  Marches Way (Chester to Cardiff but now unsupported) from the near-by Combermere Abbey. A2 Shropshire Union Canal (Llangollen Branch), originally the Ellesmere Canal - The village also possesses a village store and post office. opened in 1805, has an interesting flight of locks about 300 metres south of this Wrenbury was not forgotten as transport links developed. In 1805 the Ellesmere point, just near to where the canal goes under the A41 road and is worth a short Canal was opened through the village, followed by the railway in 1858 when the detour. The top three locks, adjacent to the lock-keeper's cottage, are in the form line was built between Crewe, Nantwich and Shrewsbury. The small empty of a staircase where one falls directly into the other below. There are also three brick building near to the stile, close to Wrenbury Station, used to be a bank, single locks on the east side of the A41. The lock-keeper's cottage also has some open on Wrenbury market days. interesting round-fronted brick work facing the canal. Today, the canal is busy in summer with holiday boats and includes a A3 Tattenhall and Whitchurch line, opened in 1872. narrowboat hire and construction business. The railway still provides workers A4 At the start of the driveway leading to Wicksted Old Hall and villagers alike with means of access to towns such as Crewe, Whitchurch (immediately as you leave Wirswall Road), look just behind and Shrewsbury. The canal at Wrenbury also has a number of unusual lift the boulder on the right-hand side of the driveway, to note bridges, including one which lifts a section of main north-west road route the intriguing plaque which reads 'In memory of the Little through the village. Others take farm tracks across, but all are similar to the type Flower Girl of Wirswall'. In 2019 an elderly Marbury found in the Netherlands. resident recorded that she remembers a local lady who At the canal end of the village will be found the popular 'Cotton Arms' and collected wild flowers from the local lanes and hedgerows 'Dusty Miller' public houses. to sell at Whitchurh Market. In the 1960's the 'flower lady' Wrenbury also hosts a 'Weekend of Scarecrows' in July, when the occasional was an old lady. © DRKendallPVW 2020 traveller through the village could be excused for being 'scared out of his wits' at B1 Looking north provides views of Cholmondeley Castle on the hills to left and, the sights which abound! slightly right - just to the left of a monumental obelisk in the middle ground (in D2 The village of Aston is still dominated by farming and the mill. The mill was memory of the Marquis of Combermere) - Mow Cop (eastern end of the South built in the 19th-century by the Sumner family, then became part of the Dalgetty Cheshire Way) can be seen in the distance on a clear day. Group and more recently goes under the name of H J Lea-Oaks. Its buildings tower over both the village and the surrounding countryside.

South Cheshire Way Page 9 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 10 of 78 Aston Farm House, at the north end of the village, close to where the South the track crossing) is a large brick and black and white house dating back to the Cheshire Way leaves the main village street, is one of the oldest farmhouses in 1870's. It was enlarged in 1901 and altered again c. 1958. the area, being built in 1667. Yew Tree House, in the village, is even older at G3 In the woodland to the south, towards the end of the drive, can be seen the old 1645. turnpike road bridge replaced by the A529. Another interesting building in the village of Aston is the unusually named G4 800 metres further south along the A529 is the village of Hankelow. It has a 'Bhurtpore Inn', a real-ale pub. Sir Stephen Cotton was made the first Baron of pleasant village green with a fenced off duck pond and surrounded by the village Combermere in 1830. He celebrated his two greatest victories, Bhurtpore in houses. India and Salamanca in Spain, by building public houses named after them. The I1 Lea Forge - originally the name of an notable early iron-forge, known to have 'Salamanca Inn' is now closed, it was by the railway station on the edge of existed c.1650. Received about 150 tons per annum of pig iron c.1710, at the Wrenbury. time its furnace was rebuilt. Believed still to be working in 1783 (tax F1 Some 1.5 km north of Austin's Bridge over the Shropshire Union Mainline assessments). Known to have been the last charcoal ironworks in Cheshire. Canal - built as the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction canal and was the last Ceased working c.1820 when a cornmill is believed to have superseded the 'narrow' canal of any size. Just east of it, is a 'Secret Nuclear Bunker' now open water power forge hammer. Dismantled in 1890. to the public as a tourist attraction. The tourist sign-posts are well spread around 'Lea' is from the old word 'leah' meaning 'at the clearing'. The hamlet has a the locality, giving rise to much hilarity amongst travellers passing as they read population of less than 100. signs to the 'Secret Bunker'. I2 Lea Hall is a 16th century Grade II listed timber framed house which was F2 Nearby along the lane was a level crossing over the Nantwich and Market extended in the 19th and 20th centuries. Drayton Railway (GWR), opened in 1863, with Coole Pilate Halt adjacent. J1 Hough Common, previously known as 'Hough Heath', is a small tract of land F3 Coole Lane is the 'main' road in the civil parish of Coole Pilate, an unusual name which had an abundance of wild flowers, including the rare cotton plant. It also which intrigues many travellers passing through. It is believed to originate from attracted many species of wild birds, including the nightingale. The heath was separate and unrelated words. Coole is thought to be formed from the ancient also frequently used as a camp by gypsies, when travelling between various words of 'cu' and 'hylle', meaning 'cow-hill', originally a forest. There are 12th- fairs. century references to the medieval 'Forest of Chouhul' with 'Cheuhall', J2 The woodland originally formed part of Weston Hall grounds. The Hall is just to 'Chouuyl', 'Chouall' being amongst other spellings. In the 14th-century the the south-west of the footpath. It was built in 1677, that date being recorded on spellings had changed to 'Coule', 'Cowle', 'Couelle', 'Koole' and 'Coole'. Pilate's the front of the building in brick numerals. The manor belonged to the Delves most likely origins lie in the growing off 'pill-oats' around a croft in the area, i.e. family of Doddington who also built Checkley Hall. a 'pilate-croft'. J3 'Weston', origin meaning 'West Farm'. G1 The River Weaver has an unusual course through the heart of Cheshire, with the J4 'All Saints Church' at Weston was built between 1838 and 1842. Weaver Valley forming some of Cheshire's best and most beautiful farm land. K1 Near to the railway bridge, at one stage in time, the railway line dipped as it Its source is in the Peckforton Hills where it starts the journey southwards approached the bridge, only to rise again beyond. This was due to drainage over around Wrenbury to just south-west of Audlem where it then heads northward to the years of the moss base on which the bridge is constructed. There are also two Nantwich and Church Minshull. It becomes navigable at the salt town of watercourses running under the bridge, at differing levels. One is the brook Winsford then goes to Northwich before entering the Mersey Estuary at whilst the other is the moss drainage system. Frodsham. Between Northwich and Frodsham it is supplemented by the Weaver K2 The railway is the line between Kidsgrove and Crewe. Opened in 1848 as the Navigation canal, reflecting the heavy boat traffic that used to serve the the 'North Staffordshire Railway' heavy industry in these towns. It is little wonder that its name 'Weaver' comes K3 Henbury Lee is now a conservation wetland area, linked on the south to from the ancient word 'wefer(e) -meaning 'winding stream'. Monneley Mere by Englesea Brook. The brook flows north-west to join with G2 Hankelow Hall is a very individual early Georgian brick house, built for Gabriel Valley Brook before passing through the heart of Crewe and then into the River Wettenhall and altered for his son, Nathaniel, in 1755-7. Its most striking feature Weaver, north of Nantwich. The name 'Henbury Lee' is believed to originate is the immensely tall parapet with ball finials which tops the three-storey from 'Henbury', a surname, and either the medieval 'laes' - a pasture, or the building. After suffering many years of neglect in the 20th-century, some limited plural of 'leah' - a wood or clearing. work has been carried out. The nearby Hankelow Court (just to the south from L1 The southern portion of Crewe Golf Course is the main course, with the driving

South Cheshire Way Page 11 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 12 of 78 range area to the north. Walkers should be alert for flying golf balls. The club seen from Rode Hall, 3 miles to the west. The adjacent 'Top Station Road' is so does warn its members of the existence of the public right of way across its steep, with a gradient of 1 in 3, that Foden's (a lorry manufacturer whose factory course. used to be in Sandbach; and renowned for their brass band) used it to test their L2 Haslington Hall was built by Admiral Sir Francis Vernon in 1545. He was an lorries. Admiral of the Fleet in charge of the demolition of the Armada ships. It is said that the timbers of the hall are from the boats of the Spanish Armada. Apparently the unusual hardness of some of the oak beams suggest immersion in salt water, As the Armada was defeated in 1588 either the story is a rumour or the Hall may have been built or added to at a later date. N1 Just east of School Farm at Hassall, there is a narrow lane which leads in 150 metres to Hassall Hall, originally the family home of the Lowndes family. It is an 'H' plan house of the 17th-century, re-fronted in the 19th-century and now presenting a 'mixed' appearance. The garden is surrounded by a brick wall and has a gazebo in one corner. Hassall originates from the ancient word 'haegtesse' meaning 'the witches nook' N2 The 'Trent and Mersey Canal' was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1766 and opened in 1775 to allow china clay to be transported from Liverpool to the Potteries with finished product being carried on the return. It was also used for the transport of salt from the Northwich and Middlewich areas. Around the M6 motorway bridge is an interesting system of double canal locks, a reminder of the amount of use made in the past by commercial canal traffic. N3 Off to the south of the canal, accessed from Roughwood Lane (canal Bridge No. 146), is 'The Potter's Barn'. It is a traditional craft pottery and showroom, with mugs, teapots, vases and terracotta ware. P1 Little Moreton Hall', a National Trust property, considered by many to be the best example of English half-timbered architecture - almost entirely medieval in style. It has been described as 'happily reeling and somewhat disorderly' but this is what gives it its attraction and endearing character. It remains virtually unchanged since the middle of the 1601 century. Open to the public from the end March to early November. P2 Note the view northward towards the Pennine Foothills (Peak National Park), and west over the Cheshire Plain to the Welsh and Shropshire borders. P3 'Old Man of Mow' - a rock pinnacle some 65 feet high and so named because of its resemblance to a human head, left standing when surrounding rock was quarried and believed to be the original site of a cairn, an ancient burial chamber, similar to the one at Bridestones seven kilometres away. P4 Note the fingerpost (official end point of the South Cheshire Way) indicating the 'Old Man of Mow'. This gives the western end of the South Cheshire Way at Grindley Brook as being 53 km, although in fact it is closer to 55 km. P5 Mow Cop Castle (a folly) was built in 1754 by local stonemasons John and Ralph Harding for Randal Wilbraham of Rode Hall. The ruined section of wall is a false feature to add to the dramatic effect of the building on the skyline as

South Cheshire Way Page 13 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 14 of 78 Notes

Walking east from Grindley Brook to Mow Cop

South Cheshire Way Page 15 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 16 of 78 Grindley Brook to Marbury Big Mere Distance: 5.7km. Opposite the 'Horse and Jockey' public house A is a track to the left of a petrol station1. The track here is waymarked as the Bishop Bennet Way and does not have a SCW sign. H Old Hall Old Wickstead Follow the track over a canal bridge2, then immediately after passing under an old 3

A railway bridge enter a field on the left through a gate. Initially keep close to the fence on the right and then, as the track curves away to the right B, continue ahead on the 4

G same line through the long field, aiming to rejoin the right hand boundary as it comes

About 70 metres before the start of farm buildings D (observable at the top of the green lane), look for a gate on the left. Go through and up a short bank, beside a fence Hinton Old Hall Old on the left, to a stile on to a track. Turn right and follow the track to its end at the A49 main road E. Cross the road and take the track opposite, towards "Hinton Old Hall".

Just before the track enters house grounds, go through a gate on the left into a field, E passing to the left of Hinton Old Hall Farm and continuing on the bridleway with the field boundary on the right. Farm Hinton Bank Hinton Manor Hinton D Cross into the next field (the Shropshire/Cheshire border) following the same line, then go through a gate to enter a green lane. At the top of the lane turn left along the tarmac lane F (Wirswall Road).

C After 800 metres (having passed Wirswall Hall and a bridleway on the left) turn right up a drive4 leading to Wicksted Old Hall G.

After leaving the road, walk the length of the fenced driveway, following round to the left at the top, and pass between the farm buildings and house of Wicksted Old Hall

Farm H. B Grindley Brook Grindley

+ continued on next page > A

South Cheshire Way Page 17 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 18 of 78 Grindley Brook to Marbury Big Mere – continued Immediately past the house A (on the right), turn right along the track to cross a stile into a field.

Follow the fence on the right to the footpath "crossroads" B with stile and signpost on the right. Do not go over this stile but turn left 90 degrees and cross the field to another stile. Go over and continue in the next field1, ignoring the path on the right C, then heading very slightly left of the previous direction. E Cross a stile just to the left of projecting trees, and bear diagonally left across the next field. Then cross two stiles through a thick hedgerow, just to the left of the field corner. Follow the hedge on the right through another field and cross a further stile.

In the next field, pass to the immediate left of the small hill in front and bear left D to approach the corner of a wood on the right2. 2 Cross a stile and continue parallel to the wood (the field is often marshy), then cross another stile to walk a path along the side of Marbury Big Mere on the left.

After two more stiles, bear slightly right (the mere curves away left) and go through a gate to the road on the edge of Marbury village E.

Wickstead Old Hall B B © Open StreetMap contributors.

South Cheshire Way Page 19 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 20 of 78 Marbury Big Mere to Aston Village Distance: 6.7km. Bear left through a small copse towards the start of farm buildings and cross a stile by a gate, then turn right along the fence past a large farm shed. Cross a stile by the shed and bear very slightly right across the middle of the field to cross a double stile E. F Smeaton Turn left for a few metres and follow the hedge round to the right in the field corner. Hall Farm Continue with the hedge on the left, to pass through a gate at the top and on to a farm track. Marbury E Hayes D As the track bears slightly right, cross a stile on the left then bear right across a paddock to go over a stile just right of the far field corner. Skirt left around a pool, and then go diagonally left across the field and exit by a stile in the left-hand corner Hurst Hall on to a road F.

Townley Farm continued on next page > C

1 B C A © Open StreetMap contributors.

On reaching the road1 A after leaving Marbury Big Mere, turn right for 150 metres and then left by a signpost through a kissing gate on to to a farm driveway.

At the end go through a small farmyard, keeping ahead to pass through a kissing gate. Continue close to the hedge on the left then pass through a further kissing gate on to a lane B. Turn right and walk along the road for 600 metres to enter a farm drive (Hurst Hall) on the left just on a right-hand bend C.

Towards the top of the of the drive, turn right through a gate and walk between fences, past an electricity pole and across a cattle walk, down to a concrete farm track.

Turn left along the track and over a bridge for a short distance. As the track starts to bear left, continue straight ahead up the field, then pass through a gap in the hedge on the right just beyond some trees. Continue along the other side of the hedge, then pass back through it at the end of the field. Go ahead through a gate, and continue with the boundary on the left towards the end of the next field.

Shortly before the corner, cross a stile on the left, just after a field gate (if overgrown, use the gate). Go straight ahead for a short distance with a hedge on the right, then cross a double stile in this hedge D.

South Cheshire Way Page 21 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 22 of 78 Marbury Big Mere to Aston Village - continued Aston Village to River Weaver Distance: 6.7km.

1 Road colour changed for clarity Wrenbury D

A Mickley G Hall A E

E Sandford Bridge F B C 2 C Aston F Aston D D SandfordB Farm E © Open StreetMap contributors. New Farm © Open StreetMap contributors. Turn right A along New Road for 130 metres and then turn left into a field, directly opposite the driveway to Smeaton Hall. From the gap in the wall A, follow the boundary on your right round two sides of a square to a stile. Keep close to the barbed wire fence on the left to cross a stile B. Fork left, initially following the left hand boundary then moving away from it past four large sheds. Cross the stile and go through a field with the hedge on the right. Cross a stile in the Cross the stile at the far side of the field to enter a very large field. corner and continue with the hedge on the right. After a short distance, go through a gate, turn left, and now continue with the hedge on the left. Cross two more fields and Approximately 40 metres into the field is a lone oak tree. Take a line just to the right enter a driveway between buildings, then go through a gate to reach the A530 main of this and head towards the far right corner, to arrive at a gate C leading on to the road B. road by Wrenburyl Station and level crossing. Turn right along the road, over the level crossing and on for a further 120 metres to a stile on the left D. Turn left along the A530 and walk with care (no footway) for 450 metres. Just after crossing the road bridge over the River Weaver, look right for a signpost and steps Cross this stile and bear diagonally right across the field to another stile in the far down C. Go across a narrow field (tends to be boggy) to cross a stile. Head straight right-hand corner (to the right of a gate). Go over and turn left along Wrenbury Road across a large field to pass just left of a protruding clump of trees and a small pit, and for 300 metres to a kissing gate on the right-hand side E. then bear slightly left to meet the fence on the left at the brow of a hill.

Go through the gate and bear slightly left across the field towards a field gate. Go Cross a stile in this fence, to the left of a field gate and about 80 metres before the over a stile by the gate and diagonally right across the next field to a stile in the angle field corner. Cut across the corner of the next field diagonally right to reach the hedge of fences. line 120 metres from the corner. Follow the hedge on your right to Heatley Lane.

Cross this stile, turn left along a fence, go through a gate then down a path between At Heatley Lane D, ignore the path directly opposite and turn left for 450 metres, then bungalows to a gate F at the road in the village of Aston2. Cross over and turn left just after Slaughterhouse Lane turn right along a track signed “Harlequin Cottage” E. along Wrenbury Road, past the Bhurtpore Inn, for 250 metres to where the road bends sharp left. As you are level with first house on the left, bear slightly right over a stile to enter a short track, then exit through a gate. Cross a paddock to another stile into a field. To exit the village of Aston, go ahead into the lane where Wrenbury Road bends left, Continue down this field, angling slight left to a stile in far left-hand corner. Then and just past the first house go through a gap in the wall on the right G. cross the next field to a stile in the middle of the opposite hedge line.

Cross another field to where a hedge changes to fencing with two stiles over a track F. continued on next page >

South Cheshire Way Page 23 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 24 of 78 Aston Village to River Weaver - continued River Weaver to A51 by Lea Forge Distance: 6.0km.

Mickley River Hall Weaver 1 A 2

Hankelow Hall + A Westview D Cottages 3 E

RiverWeaver Foxes Bank B Farm C C Austin's Bridge B F D © Open StreetMap contributors.

4 Hankelow G Go over both these stiles A, and then ahead to the middle of the next field before bearing right to meet the far boundary shortly to the left of a protruding hedge point. © Open StreetMap contributors. Turn right, and where the hedge ends continue on same line to a stile near the far left corner. In the field beyond follow the hedge on the left to a stile just to the right of the After crossing the River Weaver1 A follow the track round to the left, and continue corner. close to the hedge, initially on the left and then on the right, to a cross a stile in a fence into a narrow tarmacked lane B. Go diagonally left across the lane, exit by three In the next field, bear slightly right to join the right-hand fence after 150 metres, and steps up to a kissing gate and continue with the field boundary on the right. then keep close to the fence to the top corner and cross a stile. Cross a stile to a track and go through a kissing gate opposite. Pass through an area Continue down the next field, close to the hedge on the right, to a stile at Austin's with trees and turn left at the end, ignoring the gate straight on. Continue close to the Bridge B over the Shropshire Union Canal1. Cross the canal to reach Coole2&3 Lane fence on the right, towards a gap in the trees at the far end of the field. (Note the view and turn left. After 160 metres, cross a ditch and a stile C on the right into a field, of Hankelow Ha1l2 to the left.) then continue with a hedge on the left to cross a further stile. In the next field follow the same line, passing close to three individual oak trees which mark an old hedge Go through the gap past an overgrown stile and bear right across the next field on a line. Cross a stile into another field and keep ahead to cross a stile in the right-hand line immediately to the right of a bungalow in the far corner. Enter the driveway of fence beside a field gate. the bungalow and follow it to the end, passing through a gap in a stone wall on the right to reach the A529 main road3 C (north east of Hankelow4). Bear diagonally left across the next field to the far corner and cross a stile just left of the corner (may be hidden by a thick hedge). Cross the road with care and turn left along the footway for 400 metres to Bridgemere Lane on the right D. Turn right down the lane (signposted Hunsterson 1¼ miles) and Follow the hedge on your right, crossing further stiles, then descend towards the continue for 1.35 km. Pass the driveway to Fox's Bank Farm on the right and Fox's riverbank, bearing left to a stile in another hedge ahead. Continue along the riverbank Bank Cottage on the left, continue for approx. l00 metres and turn left along the and over a farm track bridge D across the River Weaver. driveway of Bearcat Fields E.

continued on next page >

South Cheshire Way Page 25 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 26 of 78 River Weaver to A51 by Lea Forge - continued Follow the drive A to metal gates and continue through the grounds, just to the right of the house, to a footbridge B with stiles in the far hedge. Go ahead to climb up a field bank, ignoring a footpath off to the right along the boundary. F At the top of the bank continue on the same line, immediately left of two lone trees (an old hedge line), to a stile in a fence with a pool to the right. Bear left, across a copse, to cross another stile in 20 metres, then bear right across a field to cross a E double stile approximately in the centre of the far hedge.

Pass an electricity pole, cross a stile and head towards a shed at the end of a conifer hedge. Cross the stile close by and turn immediately right along a hedge to reach Hunsterson Road C.

D Cross the road and continue with the hedge on the right. Turn left at a small wood, still following the boundary on your right.

As the wood drops away further to the right, continue on the same line to cut the corner of the field and arrive at a footbridge D at the bottom of a field dip (may be hidden by long grass). Cross these and then bear left up through a tree plantation. C Enter a field and follow the boundary on the right.

At the end of a wall cross over a stile on the right and bear left a short distance to cross a further stile on to a driveway. Turn left and follow this all the way to the A51 London Road E. At the road, turn left and walk with care for 200 metres to a tarmac track on the right F, leading to Lea Forge.

Bearcat Fields B

A © Open StreetMap contributors.

South Cheshire Way Page 27 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 28 of 78 A51, near Lea Forge, to Weston Church Distance: 6.4km. Leave the A5l along the track A to Lea Forge1, go over Forge Brook and continue past a large metal shed. Go ahead through a bridleway gate just after the tarmac track bears right. After a short distance go through a gate B and immediately turn sharp E right, up a bank, to cross a stile in a hedgerow.

Turn left and follow the hedge on the left through a long field, passing a redundant stile, to reach a kissing gate just as the hedge finishes. Go through this and bear left across the corner of a field to pass through a kissing gate on to a driveway from Lea D Highfield 2 Farm Hall . Follow this to a road.

At the road C (Wrinehill Road), turn left for a short distance to a footpath on the right through a field gate. Cross the field, angling slightly left over the field ridge to a stile in the fence line at the bottom of a dip. Over this, turn immediately right for 60 metres to cross a stile in the field corner. Turn left up a slope and follow the hedge on the left to cross two further stiles, either side of a concrete drive.

In the next large field, take a line just right of the electricity pole halfway across, to arrive at a protruding hedge corner. Bear slightly left, now with the hedge on the right, to the corner of the field by a garden fence. Cross a stile on the right and go alongside the garden and a house to Cobb's Lane D. Turn right along the lane. U In 160 metres, take the footpath signed off to the right along a drive, just beyond house number 143. At the end, just before the entrance to Yew Tree Farm, go over a stile on the left, then turn immediately right through a kissing gate. Turn left and walk round two sides of a small field to go through another kissing gate. Go clockwise around a small paddock and exit through a kissing gate diagonally C opposite. Go left on a tarmac access road to the second track off to the right, into woodland E.

Lea Hall 2 continued on next page >

Lea Forge Farm B

A © Open StreetMap contributors.

South Cheshire Way Page 29 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 30 of 78 A51, near Lea Forge, to Weston Church - continued Cross the railway (the main 'West Coast' route) by a footbridge B and continue ahead past a stable block to reach Chorlton Lane just to the right of a Methodist Chapel.

Turn left along the lane, and at the end carefully cross the main road to enter a field 3 E 4 via the gate opposite C. Follow a short length of hedge on the left, then when this All Saints Church turns sharp left, continue ahead on the same line across the field, to reach a stile at the edge of a wood. Follow a well-defined path as it winds left by a post across the wood2 to cross a footbridge over Basford Brook at the far side. Continue up a short bank on D the same line and over a field to another footbridge. Cross this and incline slightly left to a stile part way along the next field boundary D.

Go over the stile and turn right to East Avenue. At the top, turn right along Cemetery 2 Road, Weston3 and keep to the left of All Saints Church4 to meet a 'T' junction where you turn L onto Main Road E. C

Chorlton Methodist Chapel

Heath Farm B 1

Hough Common A

Follow the track A through woodland behind Hough Commonl. At the end turn right then go through a kissing gate to a path alongside fencing.

In 80 metres cross a stile on the left. Take a line moving slightly away from the hedge on the right to a large tree about 30metres from the hedge. Turn left to follow the line of two further trees (an old hedge line) across the field to a stile into an area of new woodland. (This area can be very wet, although part of the path is boarded).

Cross a stile and a footbridge over a stream (Swill Brook). Continue up a field close to the hedge on the right. Cross two stiles at a track leading to Heath Farm (to left) and continue on the same line across two more fields to a railway line.

South Cheshire Way Page 31 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 32 of 78 Weston Church to Haslington Hall Distance: 5.2km. Turn right at the end and exit by a stile on the left. Continue along the fence to a stile by a broad gap in the next hedge. Turn left and descend the field beyond, angling slightly right to cross a stile in the bottom hedge about 100m from the left corner C. Cross the busy B5472 Weston Road to another stile. Go over and cut across the short corner of a field to a stile on to a lane. Turn right for a short distance, then fork left E down a track (immediately before a pair of semi-detached red brick cottages on the right) and cross a stile at the end into a large field. 3 Henbury Lee Cut the corner of the field for a short distance to join the right-hand hedge. After + about 80 metres ignore the path that branches off to your left. Follow the hedge, crossing a stile on the right as the field narrows and the hedge kinks slightly and D continuing along the other side.

Cross a footbridge over water and two stiles into a narrow fenced field alongside a railway embankment. At the end, cross two stiles in quick succession then turn left under a bridge1 beneath the railway2 D.

Turn right immediately on other side across a footbridge over a stream and follow a path alongside the foot of the railway embankment (the first section, through Henbury Lee3 conservation area to the left, is boarded). Continue beside the railway through a C field then woodland to arrive at a kissing gate3 into a lane (Barthomley Road) E. B continued on next page >

A K All Saints Church © Open StreetMap contributors.

To exit the village of Weston, at the 'T' junction, just to the rear of the church, turn left along the main village road. After a short distance, take the first turn right (Smithy Lane) A and cross a stile at the top.

Continue across a field in a straight line to a footbridge over water. Cross this and continue forward, passing to the right of a remnant of hedge, to reach the far fence line just to the left of a telegraph pole. Turn left along the fence and cross a stile in the corner. Go up the steps and turn right, just before another stile, into an enclosed footway across a bridge over the A500 B.

South Cheshire Way Page 33 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 34 of 78 Weston Church to Haslington Hall - continued Turn left along Barthomley Road A to the top, and left at the T-junction for short distance. Then turn right B immediately after passing two properties on your right.

F Cross a stile by the left-hand side of a black and white cottage, continue along a track and descend into a wooded area to cross a footbridge. E Woodside Farm Haslington 1 Hall Climb up through trees on to Crewe Golf Course , across which the route is marked 2 by occasional one metre high waymarked posts. Cross a fairway and pass through a belt of trees. The path line then inclines left, across several fairways, passing about 100 metres to the left of a small building with a large clock on the front. It then D crosses a track C about 100 metres right of the main clubhouse and just to the left of a small brick building (not seen until closer to) with large conifers immediately to the rear. From here it continues very slightly left of this line across the practice range.

At the far side, just left of a 300m marker, cross a foot plank and go through a kissing gate. Incline left to a further kissing gate partway along the left-hand hedge. Go through and continue on the same line diagonally across the next field to yet another kissing gate in the far corner.

Through this turn right along a track D, then go over a stile and through a small CH C paddock just right of the track (or continue on the track if preferred) to exit at a cross 1 roads.

Turn right E across a cattle grid to enter a stone-paved courtyard in front of the black Crewe 2 Golf Course and white Haslington Hall .

Turn left alongside a pool on your right and follow the tarmac drive to reach Holmshaw Lane F.

A L

South Cheshire Way Page 35 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 36 of 78 Haslington Hall to Thurlwood Distance: 8.8km. Mow Cop and Castle where the South Cheshire Way ends).

Cross the stile just before the black and white Moss Cottages Farm and go through a small paddock, usually full of parked caravans, keeping to the left.

Pass to the left of a short length of shrubs and Leylandii hedge and through a gap opposite the front door of the farmhouse. Turn left, keeping left of the driveway, to cross a stile at the end of the premises.

School Farm Follow the hedge on the right to a gate at the angle of the drive. Cross the corner and bear right through a gate into a field. Walk close to a barbed wire fence on the right, C through two more gates. After the second gate incline left for a short distance to a further gate B.

Enter a large field and follow the hedge on left to stile on to a track. Cross this and walk with Bridgehouse Farm buildings just to the left. Keep in a straight line, with a garden fence and then a hedge on the left, to cross a bridge over a stream in the field Bridgehouse Farm corner.

Continue in the same direction, with a hedge now on the right. After crossing the next stile in the field corner, incline left to pass just left of a farm and houses at the top of the following field. Cross two stiles a short distance apart, beside the left-hand house, to arrive at Alsager Road C in the hamlet of Hassall. Turn right for a short distance, to Moss a gate by the farmyard drive-way of School Farm on your left. Cottages B

Barnfields continued on next page > Farm A

Woodside M Farm Haslington Hall © Open StreetMap contributors.

Go straight across Holmshaw Lane A to a stile.

Cross into a field, just to the right of Barnfields Farm. Continue in a straight line to a gate in the far left corner. Continue in the same direction to a further gate.

In the next larger field, continue in the same direction and keep to the right of the hedge when it commences. (Note the view in far distance, to the right at 2 o' clock, of

South Cheshire Way Page 37 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 38 of 78 Haslington Hall to Thurlwood – continued. Go through the gate1 by the farmyard drive-way of School Farm A and shortly through another one, then bear left around a large silage clamp to a gate entering a E field corner. Cross the field at a direction of 10 o'clock and descend the field bank to the bottom left-hand corner. 3 Go through two kissing gates in quick succession. Cross the next field, keeping about 20 metres from the fence on the right (which follows the course of a stream), to a kissing gate at a small spinney. Go through and left to a bridge over a stream and a F H Thurlwood stile, incline left across the next field at about 45 degrees up the bank, then head G towards a gate at the rear of a cottage. Cross this and descend the steps to pass the © Open StreetMap contributors. front of Jacob's Cottage B, then go ahead up a tarmac lane between Bank Farm and Hassall House Farm buildings on your right to the crossroads C.

2 Continue straight ahead along a track towards a single row of houses (Jubilee Villas). Follow the track round to the left in front of the houses and then a hard surface path D across a golf course (beware of flying golf balls!), to arrive at a canal bridge by a row of white cottages and a canal lock at Malkin's Bank D.

Turn right before you cross the canal, passing through a gap in a wall, on to the Trent and Mersey canal2 towpath adjacent to the lock, and continue eastward (with the canal Jubilee 3 Villas on your left) for a distance of 4.2km (passing under the M6 Motorway E) . C Pass under the farm bridge (Chells Hill Bridge No 144) F and over the Chells Hill

Bank E Aqueduct No 143. Farm Hassall House Farm Jacob's Just before Thurlwood Lock leave the canal at Becketts Bridge No 142 G (number Cottage B carved into the centre of the bridge). Go under the bridge and turn right to cross the bridge and pass through the yard of A P Matthews Plant Nurseries to reach Sandbach Road (A533) H.

School Farm N Hassall A Hall 1 © Open StreetMap contributors.

South Cheshire Way Page 39 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 40 of 78 Thurlwood to Little Moreton Hall (A34) Distance: 4.9km. From the yard of A P Matthews Plant Nurseries on the A533 road A go slightly right and then cross the road on to a track across the plant nursery fields. Keep left when reaching a hedge (the track goes to the right of it) to arrive at a stile. Cross from the

F nursery grounds into a short meadow. Pass through a gap in a hedge ahead and gradually incline right across a long narrow field to the hedge bank on the right. Hall Little Moreton Follow this to a track at the top right of the field and continue along it to the A50 O E Newcastle Road B. Turn right along the footway for 50 metres, and cross the road

Farm with care. Cuttleford © Open StreetMap contributors. Turn left off the A50 up a track alongside a small brick cottage. Follow the track round past Forge Farm, then enter the first field on the right, just after a small pool.

Incline diagonally right across the field, keeping electricity poles just to the left, to go over a stile just left of the far field corner. Incline right to cross two close stiles into a

D tree planted area and follow the same diagonal line towards the corner of the buildings of Boden Hall.

C Exit through a gate and pass between the buildings, keeping a wall on the right, along a track to another gate into a field. Farm Pump Follow the left hand boundary, turning right at the top corner. Exit the field along a track for few metres before turning left into the next field, along another track beside a hedge on the left.

On leaving the field continue on this track, ignoring a track off to left after short Higher Smallwood Farm Smallwood Higher distance. The track then turns right and carries on to reach Chance Hall Lane C alongside Pump Farm. Hall Boden Turn left for 700 metres along the lane, and just after an S-bend turn right at a path signpost D. Follow the left-hand side of the field, then continue on between a hedge on the left and a small copse on the right. Bear left into a track connecting two fields.

At the start of the next field turn right towards glasshouses and a farmhouse, passing Farm Forge left of them to reach the A34 Congleton Road E.

B Turn right along the road for 230 metres along the footway and cross the road (beware of traffic) opposite the driveway of Little Moreton Hall (National Trust) F. Thurlwood A

South Cheshire Way Page 41 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 42 of 78 Little Moreton Hall (A34) to Mow Cop Distance: 4.7km. From the A34, go up the drive A, past Little Moreton Halll on the left, and through a gate on the right by wooden outbuildings. Then follow the left-hand side of a field to two further gates. Through these, incline right across the field to the top right corner.

P Cross a stile and follow the left-hand side of two fields, with a stile in between, and at E + the end turn right along a track. On approaching a canal bridge, turn right through two 335m Mow Cop gates down a bank to the towpath B. Turn left under the bridge and follow the + Wood P Hanging

Roe Park Roe after a telephone box on the right, where the road bears right, take Yew Tree Lane (a cul-de-sac) on the left. Near the top, go through a gate on your right onto a path which

E goes through a subway under the railway (Acker's Crossing) and rejoin the tarmac road for about 50 metres. Turn right at the fork D, up a track (signed Mow Cop 1¼ Farm Wood miles). D Lane Yew Yew Tree At the next fork near Wood Farm, take the left-hand track. Shortly, bear right up to a Ackers Crossing field gate with a small gate to the left. Go into the field, taking a line just right of the electricity pole immediately ahead.

Head to the right-hand garden corner of a cottage in front and continue up the field, C keeping a fence, later woodland and a stone wall, to the left, (very boggy near the

©Open StreetMap contributors. wall). At the top left corner, go through the gate into Hanging Wood and follow a well used path up through the wood to a gate at top. Cross into a field and continue B uphill through this and another field keeping a stone wall on the right.

Go over a stile2 E immediately in front of a mast and bear slightly right up a track with a wall on the right. At the top, turn right at a track fork to keep a stone house on the left. At the end of fencing incline left towards a bungalow to go close to the 'Old Man of Mow'3 (a rock pillar).

Rejoin the main track and follow round to the left to reach a road4. Turn right and immediately left up a track. A path on the right will lead to the car park F, whilst continuing on will lead to steps up to Mow Cop Castle5, with excellent views westwards over Cheshire and the route of the South Cheshire Way to the Welsh borders. 1 A Hall Little Moreton

South Cheshire Way Page 43 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 44 of 78 Notes

Walking west from Mow Cop to Grindley Brook

South Cheshire Way Page 45 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 46 of 78 Mow Cop to Little Moreton Hall (A34) Distance: 4.7km. Exit the car park F at the foot of Mow Cop Castle5 by going to the left of the castle (the north side) on to a track. Turn left and go down to a road (Wood Street). At the road turn right and then immediately left4 on to another track. After a short distance, take a path to the right and pass in front of the 'Old Man of Mow'3. Continue along this path to rejoin the main track. P E + Just after a stone cottage on the right and before a radio mast, turn left E over a stile2 335m Mow Cop into a track beside a field and commence the descent to the Cheshire Plain. + Wood P Hanging © Open StreetMap contributors. StreetMap © Open Mow Cop Mow

F Continue down two more fields, keeping a wall on the left, then go through a gate into Hanging Wood. Follow the well defined path through the wood to exit through a gate Wood Quarry

Roe Park Roe into a field. Turn right, keeping a stone wall then fencing on the right (it can be boggy close to the boundary) to the corner of a stone cottage's garden. E Continue down towards the right field corner, then exit through a gate and descend to Farm Wood a wide track. Turn left, continue downhill and bear right at a track junction (Wood D

Lane Farm). Turn left D when meeting a tarmac lane (Yew Tree Lane) towards the railway. Yew Yew Tree Ackers Crossing Just before you reach the railway, go through a gate on your left onto a path which goes through a subway under the railway (Acker's Crossing) and rejoin the tarmac road. Go left and continue past bungalows on the right, then turn right at the junction with New Road (with a telephone box on the left just after turning). C

©Open StreetMap contributors. Go over a canal bridge C and descend immediately on the right to the canal towpath. Pass under the bridge and follow the towpath to the next bridge B. Just beyond this, B go through 2 gates to ascend the bank and then turn left along a track.

Go a short distance along the track to a path on the left into a field. Keep the hedge on the right through this and the next field to arrive at a stile.

Cross the stile and angle diagonally across the field to the far right corner. Go through two gates in quick succession and along the next field with the hedge on the right. Go through the another gate into the driveway of Little Moreton Hall1 and follow it down to the A34 Congleton Road A. 1 A Hall Little Moreton

South Cheshire Way Page 47 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 48 of 78 Little Moreton Hall (A34) to Thurlwood Distance: 4.9km. From Little Moreton Hall driveway F, cross the road and turn right along the A34 on the footway. In 230 metres turn left E down a farm track just after the lay-by. Follow the track, keeping farmhouse and glasshouses on the left and continuing into a field.

F At the end of the field turn left. Bear right between a hedge and a small copse of trees, then continue into another field, keeping the boundary with trees to the right, and exit Hall Little Moreton into Chance Hall Lane D. E O

Farm At the road turn left for 700 metres then turn right at Pump Farm along the track Cuttleford

Enter a field, continuing on the track with the hedge on the right. At the end of the field, turn right just in front of a copse of trees. Enter another field and follow the right-hand boundary, turning left at the top corner, to Boden Hall buildings. D Pass between buildings keeping a wall to the left, then go diagonally right to pass through a gate into tree-planted area. Continue to incline half-right and exit over two

C stiles in close proximity into a field.

Cross another stile in the hedge on the left and incline right across the next field, Farm Pump keeping electricity poles just to the right. At the field corner turn left on to a track and follow it round, with the main buildings of Forge Farm to the right, to reach the A50 Newcastle Road. Cross carefully, turn right along the footway for 50 metres to the first footpath signpost off to left B and turn down a track.

Higher Smallwood HigherFarm Smallwood Follow the track into a field and keep ahead to pick up and follow a hedge on the left. As this hedge curves slightly left, incline right to a gap in the hedge at the top right- hand field corner. Cross a small meadow and a further stile into the grounds of a plant Hall

Boden nursery and continue on same line, keeping right of a hedge when it commences, to reach the A533 Sandbach Road A opposite houses. Farm Forge B Thurlwood A

South Cheshire Way Page 49 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 50 of 78 Thurlwood to Haslington Hall Distance: 8.8km. Cross the A533 Sandbach Road H and walk slightly right, then immediately left into the premises of A P Matthews Plant Nurseries. Go through the yard and over a canal bridge (Becketts Bridge No 142). E Turn left on the far side of the bridge, down to the canal towpath. Walk west, under 3 the bridge (with the canal on your right) G. Pass over the Chells Hill Aqueduct No 143 and under the farm bridge (Chells Hill Bridge No 144) F. The South Cheshire Way now follows the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal2,3 for a distance of 4 F H Thurlwood km., passing under the M6 Motorway E and numerous locks to Malkin's Bank Bridge No 151 just after passing golf club buildings on the left. © Open StreetMap contributors. G Immediately before the bridge, pass through a gap in the wall on the left in front of the terraced houses, then turn left down the side of them D. Continue along a hard 2 track straight across a golf course (beware of flying golf balls!) and up past a row of houses (Jubilee Villas) on the left, to arrive at a road (Mill Lane) C. D Cross the road to continue down a 'No Through Road' signed Hassall Moss, between Bank Farm and Hassall House Farm buildings and past a footpath off to the left. At the bottom of the bank go straight ahead, where the surfaced road turns left, along a drive passing immediately in front of Jacob's Cottage B. Climb up the steps ahead and

Jubilee through a gate into a field. Incline half-left towards farm buildings in the distance. Villas C Keep to the right-hand side of a hedge at the bottom of a bank, cross a footbridge over a stream and turn left to go through a kissing gate.

Bank E Farm Hassall Continue across a further field on a line just left of the farm buildings (School Farm). House Farm Jacob's In the field corner go through two kissing gates in quick succession, and continue Cottage B uphill in the next field on the same line, left of farm buildings, to cross a stile. Then take a route round School Farm to the left of a silage clamp to a gate in the far right corner of the field, behind the clamp. Go through this and another gate to arrive at Alsager Road A in the hamlet of Hassall1.

continued on next page >

School Farm N Hassall A Hall 1 © Open StreetMap contributors.

South Cheshire Way Page 51 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 52 of 78 Thurlwood to Haslington Hall - continued At the road in Hassall C, turn right for a short distance to a footpath off to left, just before the right-hand bend in the road. Go through two gates in quick succession and then incline slightly left across the next field to a gate in the bottom left corner. Go though this and continue with the hedge on the left to a bridge across a stream at the field corner.

Continue on the same line, but now with the hedge on the right-hand side. Go past the garden fence of Bridgehouse Farm to the end of the farm drive. Cross a track and through a gate to enter a large field. Walk the whole length of the field, keeping the

School hedge on the right. Farm At end of the field, go through a gate and incline slightly right to a junction of paths at C right-angles B. Go through the two gates to the path turning right and continue, with a barbed wire fence immediately on your left, through two fields. Exit by a gate to the corner of a vehicular track, cross diagonally right and go through a further gate into a field.

Bridgehouse Farm Follow the left hand hedge to a stile into the grounds of Moss Cottages Farm and Kennels. Follow way marks leading to the right of the drive, then opposite the front door of the house, pass through a gap on the right and along behind a short length of Leylandii hedge. On emerging, stay close to the hedge on right through a small paddock, usually full of caravans, to a stile at the far end.

Moss In the next field, initially keep the hedge on the right. When this ceases, continue on Cottages in a straight line to the gate. Then walk on the same line to another gate. B Head for a gate leading to a road just left of Barnfields Farm buildings A, then cross

Barnfields the road (Helmshaw Lane). Farm A

Woodside M Farm Haslington Hall © Open StreetMap contributors.

South Cheshire Way Page 53 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 54 of 78 Haslington Hall to Weston Church Distance: 5.2km. Go into the driveway of Haslington Hall F. At the first fork in the drive of Haslington Hall2, keep left, close to a pool, and enter a stone paved courtyard in front of the main F Hall. Turn right and leave the courtyard along a drive leading to a cattle grid. Go over this and immediately turn left E over a stile into a paddock running beside another E Woodside Farm track (or turn left and walk along the track). Haslington Hall 2 A stile at the end of the paddock leads back on to the track, which continues to a kissing gate on the left D. Go through and bear diagonally right across a field to another kissing gate in the far corner. After this continue on same line to cut the D corner of the next field and go through a third kissing gate1 and over a plank bridge on to Crewe Golf Course.

The route across the golf course is marked by occasional metre high waymarked posts. Initially take a line heading about 100 metres left of the clubhouse C keeping to the left of the practice ranges and just to the right of group of tall Leylandii trees. Here pass just right of a small brick building hidden behind a hedge/shrubbery, cross a track and incline slightly left, as indicated on a (numerously waymarked!) signpost. The path line passes about 100 metres to the right of a further small brick building with a large clock on the front and you take a slightly left route to follow a south to

CH C south easterly line. After crossing several fairways, enter a path through a belt of 1 trees, to the left of a steep drop, cross another fairway and enter a wooded dell.

Descend through the dell to cross a footbridge over Valley Brook, then continue up to Crewe Golf Course a road, passing over a stile by a black and white cottage on the left.

Turn left at the road (B5077) B with care for a short distance, then turn right into Barthomley Road. Follow this to a kissing gate on the right just before a road bridge over a railway A.

continued on next page >

A L

South Cheshire Way Page 55 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 56 of 78 Haslington Hall to Weston Church - continued out, go over a stile and continue with the field boundary now on your left. Cut across the end corner of the field to cross a stile immediately in front of a pair of semi- detached red brick cottages. Continue along a short length of track to a lane.

Turn right along the lane for a short distance and go over a stile on the left. Cut across a short corner of a field to a further stile leading to the busy B5472 Weston Road C. E Cross this with care to a stile opposite into a large field. 3 Go ahead up the field and over the crest, meeting up with the right-hand hedge just Henbury Lee before a fence at the top. Turn right through a gap by a stile and continue along the + fence to another stile. Cross this and follow the fence round into an enclosed footway across a bridge over the A500 B. At the end, turn left down steps and over a stile. D Continue along the left-hand fence and turn right just before a telegraph pole standing a few metres away from it. Cross the field, passing to the left of a remnant of hedge, to a footbridge in the far hedge, just to the right of a small wood. Go over and continue on the same line to a stile leading into a cul-de-sac (Smithy Lane) A. Follow this to a road, cross over and turn left.

C B

A K All Saints Church © Open StreetMap contributors.

Leave the road through this gate E to continue along a path with the railway line2 just to the left. This passes through woodland, an open field and finally Henbury Lee3 conservation area (where the path has been boarded). At the end, cross a footbridge over Englesea Brook and immediately turn left through a bridge1 under the railway D.

Turn right over two stiles into a narrow fenced field running along the railway embankment, now on the right. At the end and about 20 metres left of the right hand hedge, cross a stile and a footbridge in quick succession and go ahead with a field boundary on your right. At a small dog-leg in the hedge just before the hedge runs

South Cheshire Way Page 57 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 58 of 78 Weston Church to A5l by Lea Forge Distance: 6.4km. Cross the road with care and continue down Chorlton Lane. After 200 metres, immediately beyond Chorlton Methodist Chapel, pass through a kissing gate on the right. Follow the hedge on the right, then when it ends continue on the same line, past a small stable block to a footbridge over the main 'West Coast' railway line B. 3 E 4 All Saints Church After the footbridge, cross a stile and continue close to the hedge on the left. Cross three stiles on this line, the second and third being either side of a track to Heath Farm. Carry on down the hedge line to a stile and footbridge at the bottom of the D field. Pass through a low-lying area of new woodland (this can be very wet although part of it is boarded) and exit by a stile into a larger field. Follow the three trees on an old hedge line across the field and at the last one, about 30 metres before the far hedge, bear right to the field corner. [NB The path across this field may be reinstated 2 in a direct line to the corner, i.e. not along the definitive (tree) line.]

Cross a stile in the field corner and turn right alongside fencing to reach a kissing C gate. Go through this and turn left along a track through woodland behind Hough Common1 to the end at the tarmacked Birch Lane A. Chorlton Methodist Chapel

Heath Farm continued on next page > B 1

Hough Common A

From Main Road E take the first road to the right (Cemetery Road), keeping All Saints Church on the left. From All Saints Church4 in Weston3, continue along Cemetery Road and turn down the first road on the left, East Avenue.

At the end, take the path to a stile in the hedgerow D. Go over this and half right across the next field to a line of trees, then cross a footbridge just beyond. Continue across another field, cross a footbridge over Basford Brook into a wooded area2 and follow a well-marked path up to a stile at the top. Cross the next field, following the same line, to reach Newcastle Road C just after joining a short length of hedge on the right.

South Cheshire Way Page 59 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 60 of 78 Weston Church to A5l by Lea Forge – continued. At Birch Lane E turn left for a short distance and go through a kissing gate just to the right of a pair of tall gates. Go round a short paddock anticlockwise to pass through a kissing gate in the diagonally opposite corner. Turn right to walk round two sides of a E small field. Go right through a kissing gate at the corner, then shortly left over a stile in the hedge to a driveway. Turn right and continue to Cobb’s Lane.

Turn left along the lane, then take the next footpath on the left D, which passes immediately to the left of a house (there are paths off to the right of the lane at this D Highfield Farm point).

Follow this path to cross a stile into a field and continue along the field boundary on the left.

When the hedge turns 90 degrees left, go ahead across the field, in a line just to the left of the second electricity pole in front of you and left of a pond. Head about 150 metres to the right of farm buildings to two stiles, either side of a farm drive.

Cross these and go downhill with a hedge on the right. At the bottom corner cross a stile in this hedge, then follow the field boundary on the left for 45 metres to another stile. Cross this and continue in a straight line across the field to reach a field gate into U Wrinehill Road C.

Turn left along Wrinehill Road for approx. 75 metres to a driveway off to the right. Follow this towards Lea Hall2 where it turns left, just before the first buildings. Go straight ahead through a kissing gate and incline left across a field corner to another kissing gate, just before a hedge commences. C Go through and follow the hedge on your right through a large field, past a redundant stile, to cross a further stile in the far right corner. Drop down a bank, turn left Lea 1 Hall 2 through a gate B and continue down to join a hard surface track at Lea Forge .

Follow the track to reach the A51 London Road A. Lea Forge Farm B

South Cheshire Way Page 61 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 62 of 78 A51 by Lea Forge to River Weaver Distance: 6.0km. Turn left down the A51 London Road F with care for 200 metres then right down a driveway E. At the fork, keep right (straight on) and continue along the driveway towards a large red-brick house. Shortly before the house, cross a stile in the fence on the right and a further stile in the left-hand corner by a house brick wall. Turn left and F continue by the wall along the left edge of a field.

Keep on this line through a tree planted area, cross a footbridge over a stream D and bear left across a recessed field corner. Then continue round the field edge with trees E on the left. On reaching a hedge turn right along it to meet Hunsterson Road C. Go over and across a stile, then at the end of a short field cross a stile in the left hand hedge.

Continue alongside a hedge on the right for about 15 metres then forward to a stile in a fence (a short distance). Cross this and angle right past an electricity pole to a stile and bridge in the next hedge. D Over this, cross the field diagonally, towards the far right corner. Just before the corner cross a stile, hidden to the right of a large tree, into a copse. Keep a large pool to the left and exit by a further stile after a short distance.

C Cross the next larger field along a line just to the right of the first tree (an old hedge- line), passing over the ridge towards the field boundary at the bottom of the dip. Bear slightly right to cross a footbridge B with stiles in the far hedge. Continue on a line just left of the house ahead. Go through the gates at the top of the driveway and follow this down to Bridgemere Lane A.

continued on next page >

Bearcat Fields B

South Cheshire Way Page 63 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 64 of 78 A51 by Lea Forge to River Weaver – continued. River Weaver to Aston Village Distance: 6.7km.

River Mickley Weaver 1 Hall A 2

Hankelow Hall A + D E Westview 3 Cottages Foxes Bank RiverWeaver Farm C B C Austin's B Bridge F D © Open StreetMap contributors.

4 Hankelow G After turning left at the River Weaver D, follow the riverbank to cross a stile in the © Open StreetMap contributors. hedge ahead. Bear left to meet a further hedge and continue along it to cross three further stiles. Turn right along Bridgemere Lane E for 1.35 km. to a T-junction with the A529 Audlem Road (keeping straight on at the Birchall Moss Lane fork) D. After this bear right across the next field towards a stile by a gateway in the right- hand boundary approx. 80 metres before the field corner. Cross this and turn left, Turn left along the footway of the A529 (direction Hankelow4 and Audlem) for 400 following the fence on the left to a stile into the next field. Keep on the same line, an metres, then just after the farms on both sides of the road, cross the road and go old hedge line now marked by three individual oak trees, and cross the stile at the through a gap in the wall to the left of the driveway3 C. Follow the drive to pass to field end. the left of a bungalow and enter a field. In the next field follow the hedge on the right and exit by a further stile into Coole Angle right across the field to a gap between trees. Go through past an overgrown Lane3 C. Turn left along the lane2 for 160 metres to a track on the right and follow stile and keep close to the left field boundary (view of Hankelow Ha1l2 to right). At this over a canal1 bridge and a stile into a field B. the end of the field bear right and pass through a small wooded area. Go through a kissing gate to a track and across the stile opposite. Keep the hedge on the left, cross a stile and continue now with a fence on the left. At a point where another fence line joins from the left (160 metres before the end of the Keep just right of a hedge through a field, and at the bottom go through a kissing gate field) bear slightly right to cross a stile in the bottom hedge approx 40 metres from the and down three steps into a narrow tarmacked lane B. Cross the lane to exit by a stile left corner. slightly to your left and continue along a track with a hedge to the left. Follow this as it curves right, cross the River Weaver1 A on a tractor bridge and immediately turn Follow the hedge on the right to cross a stile in the next field corner, and then cut left. across the following field to a protruding hedge corner. Keep this hedge on the right for a short distance, then bear left into the middle of the field before turning further left to cross two stiles either side of a farm track A.

continued on next page >

South Cheshire Way Page 65 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 66 of 78 River Weaver to Aston Village - continued with the hedge on the left. Shortly cross a stile in the corner, then go over another stile at the next field corner and turn right. Follow the left boundary round two sides of a

Road colour changed for clarity square and exit through a gap in a wall into a lane. Turn left to where this joins Wrenbury Road at a bend A.

Mickley Hall A E You are now entering the village of Aston.

Leaving the farm track F continue on the same line across another the field to cross a stile at a slight angle in the opposite hedge, then bear slightly left across the next field to cross a further stile. In the narrow field beyond keep ahead to cross a stile into a paddock.

At the far side, go through a gate into a short track and exit by a stile on to a driveway. Turn left and follow this down to Heatley Lane E.

Turn left down the lane for 450 metres and, immediately before the first bungalow on the right, turn right over a stile into a field D.

Follow the hedge on the left to a point 120 metres from the top left field corner and then bear right to cross a stile in the fence, next to a gate, on the brow of a hill.

Bear diagonally right across the next large field on a line towards a clump of trees by a dip in the field. Pass just to the right of these trees and head slightly left for a point 60 metres to the right of the far left-hand field corner. Here you will find a stile, in a dip, tucked well into the hedgerow, just to the right of a large oak tree.

Cross a narrow boggy field and climb steps leading up to the busy A530 Whitchurch Road C.

Turn left and walk with care down the right-hand side of this road. After 450 metres, turn right B into a driveway between a roadside white cottage to the right and a red brick building, further back, to the left. Go immediately left through a narrow passageway to short, hedged track.

At the end of the track enter a field and follow the hedge on the right. Continue with the hedge on the right. Go through a kissing gate in the field corner and continue now

South Cheshire Way Page 67 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 68 of 78 Aston Village to Marbury Big Mere Distance: 6.7km. Turn right along the road for 130 metres and then cross a stile on the left A. continued on next page > 1 Wrenbury D A G

E B C 2 F Aston D

From the junction G upon entering Aston village2, turn left along Wrenbury Road for 250 metres, passing the 'Bhurtpore Inn' on the right. Cross over and go through a gate F into a narrow footpath between bungalows, opposite houses named "Repton" and "Bowood".

At the end of the narrow path, go through another gate and follow the fence on the right for a short distance, then cross a stile at an angle of fences into a field.

Cross the field diagonally and go over a stile by a gate in the far right-hand corner. Then bear right across the next field to a kissing gate on to Wrenbury Road E.

Turn left for 300 metres to cross a stile on the right, beside a field gate. Bear diagonally left across the field to the far corner. Cross a stile on to a road D, turn right and go over a level crossing.

Twenty metres after the level crossing at Wrenburyl Station, go through a gate on the left where 2 footpaths enter a very large field C.

From here bear right, passing just to the right of two lone trees which are part way into the field. Head towards a further lone tree, which becomes visible on the far side as you progress into the field and just before the far extreme hedge (keep the electricity lines at the far end always to the left). Cross a stile in the hedge.

Continue ahead to the right of four large sheds to merge gradually with a hedge coming in from the right and a path from the left B. In the corner where the path meets the hedge, go over a stile. Then walk close to a fence on the right to reach New Road opposite the driveway to Smeaton Hall.

South Cheshire Way Page 69 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 70 of 78 Aston Village to Marbury Big Mere - continued between fences past an electricity pole to a gate. Go through and turn left down the farm drive to a lane (Wrenbury Road) C, then turn right along the lane. After 600 metres, pass through a kissing gate on the left B, just before the first house on the right. F Smeaton Hall Farm Follow the hedge on the right, go ahead through another kissing gate and across a small farmyard, then down the farm track to the road, leaving it just before the end to Marbury E Hayes go through a kissing gate on the right. Turn right along the road (Hollins Lane) D towards Marburyl (a wonderful view of the impressive Marbury Church straight ahead). Continue for 150 metres, past the angling club gate, then go through a gate by a signpost on left A. Hurst Hall

Townley Farm C

After leaving the road F, bear left across a field, heading just right of Smeaton Hall farm buildings. Pass to the right of a small pool and cross a stile beyond into a paddock. Continue diagonally left, cross a stile in the far-left corner and then turn right along a track. Go ahead through a gate into a field and continue with the hedge on the right.

At the corner, turn left for 20 metres to cross a double stile E. Part way across the next field bear slightly right towards the right-hand corner of the farm buildings ahead. Cross a stile beside a large farm shed, continue close to the fence on the left, then go over another stile on the left, just beyond the buildings. Go diagonally right across a small copse to a double stile in the far corner, turn left along the hedge D, then a cross a further stile ahead beside a gate (use the gate if overgrown).

In the field beyond, turn right along the hedge to a gate in the corner. Continue ahead on the same line, passing slightly left through a gap to keep a hedge on your right, and at the end of the field go through another gap in this hedge. Bear left down the field beyond to join a concrete farm track. Shortly after the track passes over a bridge, leave it and climb up the field to the right.

Head just left of the farm buildings at the top, crossing a cattle walk and continuing

South Cheshire Way Page 71 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 72 of 78 Marbury Big Mere to Grindley Brook Distance: 5.7km. From Hollins Lane E bear left towards a stile and the shoreline of Marbury "Big Mere". Cross the first stile by the edge of the Mere, after leaving the road, and two others as you walk alongside the Mere2. Then where the Mere shoreline turns away to the right continue straight ahead through a field, parallel to a wood on the left. This field is frequently marshy.

At the end cross a stile at the corner of the wood where it turns away left, and bear E slightly left uphill, ignoring a footpath straight ahead D. Move away from the wood on the left, making for a lone oak tree, then turn right up a grassy bank, passing just to the right of small but steepish hill to cross a stile behind it in the top left corner.

Cross the next field beside the hedge on the left, go over a double stile1 through a thick hedgerow, and then angle right diagonally C across the next field to a gate in the top corner to the right of projecting trees. Bear left across another field to cross a stile 2 about 100 metres to the left of farm sheds. Continue on to a signpost at the next fence. Do not cross the stile beside it but turn right B along the fence and cross a stile into a track alongside the farm buildings of Wicksted Old Hall A.

Turn left where this enters a farmyard, pass a house on the left and further buildings on the right, then bear right to follow the farm driveway down to a lane (Wirswall Road).

continued on next page >

South Cheshire Way Page 73 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 74 of 78 Marbury Big Mere to Grindley Brook - continued Follow the farm driveway H down to a lane (Wirswall Road)4 G. Turn left down the lane and continue for 800 metres, passing Wirswall Hall and a bridleway on the right. H Old Hall Old Wickstead Take the second bridleway on the right (a green lane) F, immediately before "The Bungalow" on the same side. A

4 At the end of the green lane pass through a gate and continue on the same line with G the field boundary on the left, crossing into another field (the Cheshire/Shropshire © Open StreetMap contributors. border). After passing along the right-hand side of Hinton Old Hall Farm, go through Hall

Wirswall a gate on the left to a driveway and follow it the A49 Tarporley Road E.

F Cross the road and take the track opposite towards Hintonbank Farm and Hinton Manor. After a white house on your left go through an open gateway with a sign saying 'Hinton Manor Only' for 50 metres and go left over a stile immediately before Hinton

Old Hall Old a large oak tree. Go down a bank beside another fence on the right to a gate leading into a green lane D.

Turn right down the green lane to the bottom and pass through the gate. Go left C through a large field, at first following the hedge boundary on the left (ignoring a stile E through it after a few metres). Where the boundary angles away near Grindley Brook Farm, continue on the same line to gradually merge with a track coming from the left. Farm

Hinton Bank Hinton At the field corner exit through a gate on to the track and turn right B. Manor Hinton D Follow the track under an old railway bridge3 then over a canal2 to reach the A41 Chester Road A at Grindley Brook1, opposite the "Horse and Jockey" public house and with a garage to the left. This is the western end of the South Cheshire Way. C Farm Grindley Brook Grindley B + A

South Cheshire Way Page 75 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 76 of 78 Update information THE MID-CHESHIRE FOOTPATH SOCIETY

Changes to the route since this document was originally produced are detailed here. The Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society was formed in 1961 for all those interested in Every effort is taken to ensure that this document is correct but the MCFS cannot be keeping open and well-marked the footpaths in that part of Cheshire not covered by held responsible for errors and changes that occur post-publishing. If you know of any existing societies. Its area is bounded by Lymm, Runcorn, Middlewich, Crewe, changes please contact the Society. Audlem, Malpas and Chester.

The Society organises walks throughout the year on Wednesdays and alternate Aug 2019 The route was walked Eastwards for the document revision. Sundays, covering as many different areas as possible. The purpose of these walks, May 2020 Weston Village Map J on pages 31 and 59 which are generally between five and eight miles long, is to inspect, and subsequently Due to new building, south of West and East Avenues and west of point D report on, the condition of the paths, to the local authority responsible for the on the map, the route has been diverted from West Avenue to East maintenance of public rights of way. Avenue. The text and maps show the change. After the building work is completed the route will be correctly waymarked. Publications available from the Society... Aug 2020 The Westward route was walked to complete the revision. Oct 2020 This .pdf version available from the MCFS website. The Baker Way from Chester to Delamere Stations 21 km The Delamere Way from Frodsham to Stockton Heath 34 km The Eddisbury Way from Frodsham to Higher Burwardsley 27 km The Longster Trail from Helsby Hill to Chester 19 km The North Cheshire Way from Hooton to Disley (book) 114 km

Acknowledgements... Writers and Walkers: Mary and Eric Butler, Bernard Cook, Joyce and Tony Harbottle and David Kinsell and many others, as well as those members who maintain the waymarks. The 2020 version was walked in 2020 by Society members including David Kendall, Mike Abraham and Elisabeth Sullivan. The document was then re-written by Elisabeth Sullivan and Peter Waite.

Web version: Peter Waite

Issue 1 – October 2020

South Cheshire Way Page 77 of 78 South Cheshire Way Page 78 of 78