Aston Ring Bridleway an Attractive Off-Road 7 Mile Loop Partly Following the River Weaver and Mid Cheshire Based on Existing Bridleways Bridleway Association
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Mid Cheshire Bridleway Association Aston Ring Bridleway An attractive off-road 7 mile loop partly following the River Weaver and Mid Cheshire based on existing bridleways Bridleway Association For further details please contact the Chairman, Ray Hall on Tel: 01829 760348 www.midcheshirebridleways.co.uk If you encounter any problems these should be reported to Cheshire West and Chester Council Rights of Way on 01606 301485 Mid Cheshire Aston Ring Bridleway Association Bridleway About the Mid Cheshire Aston Ring Bridleway Bridleway Association id Cheshire Bridleways his attractive route provides an off-road, circular Mwas formed in 1991 to Troute of approximately seven miles, much of which promote safe riding in pleasant follows the Weaver Navigation. surroundings. Parking The Route We are affiliated to the Parking is available at the Leigh 1 Follow the road to the rear of the Arms adjacent to the A49 swing Marco Marco Italian restaurant and British Horse Society and the bridge (CW8 4QT), but please cross the A49 to a lane, taking telephone first (01606 853327) and extreme care. After 300 yards turn Bridleways and Byways Trust. park away from the pub. Limited left after the caravan park and parking is available at Davenports follow a track past Bartington Hall We cover the area from the Wirral Farm Shop just off the A49 nearby to the canal bridge. (Davenports (CW8 4QU), but please phone first Farm Shop is adjacent to this to Chester to Nantwich to the M6. to arrange on 01606 853241. track). Go through a gate and cross a field diagonally towards a We currently have around 50 members. Membership costs bungalow called Heron’s Court. If there are ponies in this field some £5 per year (£7 for families) and entitles you to receive riders find it easier to follow the our newsletters with up to date information on Cheshire’s track around the edge. The route continues on page 6… equestrian routes and to attend social gatherings and rides with like minded people. Points of Interest Wildlife For further information please see our Buzzards can frequently be seen overhead website: and falcons are said to nest on the railway viaduct. Reed warblers, swans and mallards nest in the reed beds along the river banks. www.midcheshirebridleways.co.uk Acton Swing Bridge This was constructed in the 1930s when the A49 was realigned to replace an old stone bridge that can still be seen just upstream and a former swing bridge. 2 3 Aston Ring Bridleway Key Points of Interest DUTTON Bridleway Dutton Locks These were built in late 1870s and Public Footpath Tr the lock keeper’s office and houses ent and Mersey Canal Road date from this period. There used to be a horse bridge across here and Woodland the pivot can be seen. Parking P Lower Dutton Horse Bridge Weaver View ASTON Cottages This was originally built in 1919 but was completely re-built in the 8 M56 nineties and is listed for its historic Aston Grange Dutton Lodge Farm To Farm 9 A533 importance. It is constructed of curved, laminated greenheart timber Railway 3 and crosses the old course of the Upper Weaver. Horse Bridge 7 10 4 Bluebell Wood 6 Dutton Lock 5 2 Lower eaver Pickerings Cut Horse Bridge Cottages Davenports Farm Shop River W Dutton Viaduct Bartington Hall and Tea Rooms P 1 Marco Marco Italian Restaurant ACTON BRIDGE P Leigh Arms River Weaver A49 The above route is based on O.S Explorer Map 267 1 km 2 kms (Northwich & Delamere Forest) 1 mile 2 miles 4 5 The Route cont. Follow the 2 Turn left through a gate, follow 6 In the next field you bear right and a fenced track with a woodland cross diagonally towards a gate Countryside Code planting on the left to another gate at the wood at the base of the It is recommended that you carry and pass through Bluebell Wood. escarpment. Take care across here a mobile phone and wear high Follow the field edge and bear left as there may be mole hills and cattle visibility clothing as this route is at the first hedge line uphill following in this field. quite isolated and it is better to the headland where there are lovely avoid riding it alone. views across the Weaver Valley. which 7 The route follows a steep track up you can the valley side alongside the wood. 9 At the road, turn right and at the fork 3 Turn left through the next gate, see to the Turn left along the track towards, bear right and then turn immediately head downhill to re-cross the canal right The new bridge is wider with then past Aston Grange Farm. left at a bridleway sign. Go through through a further gate and follow the a non slip surface and is more 8 The road bears left towards Aston, a gate and cross a field to another fenced track down to a gate next to inviting for horses. If you prefer to but take the right turn past Weaver gate. The bridleway is then surfaced the river. lead your horse over, there is a View Cottages with a copse on the and follows the base of Park Brow, a mounting block either side. Continue 4 Turn right and follow the road and left. This section has been surfaced wooded escarpment. (Past the wood past Dutton Locks and the former cross the Upper Horse Bridge. The as part of the National Cycle Route. an alternative route can be taken lock cottages. You may see canal former swing bridge was replaced in Follow the track through a gate to the right of the fishing pond and boats passing though and there is 2010 with an arched structure which where there are good views across under the railway viaduct to link back also a picnic area here. Follow the allows access for boats to the sluices the valley. Continue downhill under to the route already described along riverbank which has been surfaced the railway arch and through two the river. Take care near the viaduct in gravel and cross the Lower Horse more gates with woodland planting as the ground can be boggy). Bridge over the old course of the on either side. Points of Interest Weaver to a gate. Again mounting 10 The main route carries straight on The route then passes through blocks have been provided either through a gate and back to the Dutton Viaduct Dutton Lodge Farm through a side as some horses find this Lower Horse Bridge. Re-cross This was built in the 1830s and further gateway. wooden bridge spooky. the bridge, go past the locks the stone piers are built on timber and back over the Upper Horse piles and is listed for its historic 5 Continue along the riverbank Bridge. Follow the road alongside importance. The main west coast through several gates through the river back to Acton Swing line crosses this and it is said to Woodland Trust Land where there Bridge. Dismount and lead your sway when a train passes! may be cattle. Pass under Dutton horse under the bridge, taking care Viaduct to a gate at Pickering’s as the visibility is restricted and Pickering’s Cut Cut Cottages. Take care along this The first house used to be a pair the traffic makes a noise above. section as there are rabbit holes. of lock keepers cottages as there Re-mount using the mounting Please walk past the cottages to the used to be a pair of locks here. block sponsored by Mid Cheshire next gate. Keep to the riverbank until The former swing bridge was Bridleways and return to your you reach another gate. removed after the war and you vehicle through a gate, taking care can see the abutments. next to the road. These directions can of course be reversed for a change. 6 7.