Cheshire West & Chester Council West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 3 Welcome Following the success of last year’s first ever ‘West Cheshire Walking Festival’, we are delighted to again be featuring and supporting so many fantastic walks across our borough throughout the month of May. Walking is a simple but effective way to With so many benefits (physical, social keep physically fit; a daily 20 minute walk and educational), walking is a cheap can reduce your risk of heart disease, and easy way for everyone to enjoy life. type 2 diabetes and some cancers. The Walking Festival is possible thanks It improves your mood through the release to the walk leaders who enter a fantastic of endorphins and can slow the ageing variety of walks, showcasing our wonderful process. It’s also a great way to meet new outdoor open spaces. people and to see the wonderful sights Finally, I would like to thank our partners, that our borough has to offer; and it is fun. Active Cheshire , Brio Leisure , Age UK , In this brochure you will find a wide range Cheshire , Macmillan Cancer Support and our internal teams for making the of walks catering for everyone from short festival happen. social walks to family walks to those longer routes which provide a real journey. As it is borough-wide, you should be able to find a walk close to where you live or work. The festival runs throughout May but I hope it will encourage people to walk Ian Ashworth more often during their normal week. Director of Public Health 4 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 5 Active Cheshire are so excited to be involved in the coordination of the West Cheshire Walking Festival for the second year running. Active Cheshire’s mission is to embed physical activity into all aspects of everyday life and what better way to start than to increase walking amongst local residents. The UK Chief Medical Officer recommends The walks featured in the festival have been that adults take part in frequent, moderate shared by many organisations and groups intensity physical activity. Most people don’t to try and provide something for everyone. realise but walking for just 30 minutes, five The walks have been categorised into levels and rated on accessibility to ensure as times a week would help you to achieve many people as possible can take part. this recommendation. We know there are All walks provide a social environment increasing numbers of adults who fail to hit whereby walkers can explore the natural their recommended levels and we want beauty of our local area. All walks are led; to give people the best possible support routes are risk assessed and enable you to to set them on their way. meet new people in a safe and welcoming environment. There are so many great walks taking place across Cheshire West and Chester We want you to share with us your images, videos and stories throughout the festival and bringing together all the details in month, not only to inspire others but we one easy-to-use guide should help us would also like to keep up to date with get the message out there. what is happening. You can share your images via social media using the tags The festival will give you the opportunity below or by emailing us at teamwest to kick start a regular walking habit which @activecheshire.org and we will feature we hope will continue for life. the best ones in our monthly newsletter. @ AC Tea mW #WCW est alkingF estival 6 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 Accessibility Getting there Many of the walks in this brochure are Plan your journey and download a timetable accessible to people with limited mobility. using Traveline, telephone: 0871 200 22 33 However, it is recommended that you check or visit: www.traveline.info with the walk organiser for each event if you have specific requirements including Download the itravel smart phone app – wheelchair access or are unable to step over a free journey planning app for Cheshire stiles. In many cases, the walk route can be West and Chester, with up to date travel adapted to provide access for all. We have information, interactive maps and also introduced a new system to clearly show public transport timetables. Visit: where routes may be restricted so ensure http://itravelsmart.co.uk/itravelsmart-app you check the icons below each walk. We hope you enjoy attending the 2018 If you are unable to attend the walk at the West Cheshire Walking Festival and welcome times shown, please contact the walk leader your feedback. The feedback form can who will be able to advise of alternative be completed at: meeting points for you to join the walk at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ a different location later on. Additionally, WCwalkingfestival . if you need to leave a walk early please let the walk leader know. Many of the walks are regular and therefore might operate outside of the festival month so please check with the leaders. Finally, we recommend that you check with the walk leaders prior to attending to ensure that schedules have not been changed. West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 7 Contents Accessibility key Chester 9 Less mobile Beginner Ellesmere Port 17 Intermediate Frodsham 20 Advanced Malpas 30 Family friendly Neston 34 Pram and pushchair friendly Northwich 39 Wheelchair friendly Winsford 42 Dog friendly 8 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 9 Chester Grosvenor Park Christleton and Tuesday 1 May, Caldy Valley 10:15am meet, start at 10:30am Booking required: No Wednesday 2 May, 10:30am Booking required: No Cost: Free Cost: Free Enjoy a walk around Grosvenor Park, admiring the heritage and views it has An ideal starter walk, at a pace to suit all, to offer. Meeting at the Activity Zone taking in the Caldy Valley Nature Park. with free tea and coffee after the walk. Start postcode: CH3 7AS Start postcode: CH1 1QQ Meeting point: Ring O’Bells, Village Road Meeting point: Activity Zone in the park Contact: Sean Ray (entrance by park café or from city centre, Telephone: 01606 720 432 Vicars Lane) Email: [email protected] Contact: Nichola Allison Telephone: 01244 886887 Email: [email protected] Blacon Thursday 3 May, 10:15am meet, start at 10:30am Westminster Park Booking required: No Cost: Free Tuesday 1 May, 10:30am Approximately 30 minute walk along Booking required: No the Greenway, suitable for all fitness Cost: Free levels and abilities. Refreshments available A one and a half hour walk which is very after the walk at Vintage Blacon United sociable and explores the local area. Reformed Church. A gentle stroll option is also available Start postcode: CH1 5EY in and around the Park. Meeting point: Meet at Blacon United Start postcode: CH4 8JQ Reformed Church, walking on the Meeting point: The Golf Café, greenway, ending at the Church Westminster Park for refreshments Contact: Sean Ray Contact: Nichola Allison Telephone: 01606 720 432 Telephone: 01244 886887 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 10 West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 Stroll around Chester Grosvenor Park and along the River Dee Tuesday 8 May, 10:15am meet, start at 10:30am Sunday 6 May, 2pm Booking required: No Booking required: No Cost: Free Cost: Free Enjoy a walk around Grosvenor Park, A mainly flat five mile walk with two flights of admiring the heritage and views it has steps. The walk follows the Shropshire Union to offer. Meeting at the Activity Zone Canal, the River Dee and crosses Grosvenor with free tea and coffee after the walk. Park. There will be stops at points of interest. Start postcode: CH1 1QQ We will stop outside the Bus Interchange Meeting point: Activity Zone in the park about 10 minutes after the start to collect (entrance by park café or from city centre, walkers who are using the Park and Ride. Vicars Lane) Start postcode: CH1 3NS Contact: Nichola Allison Meeting point: Chester Railway Station Telephone: 01244 886887 Walk leader: Judith Cross Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01928 735150 Email: [email protected] The History of Shotwick Park Blacon Tuesday 8 May, 10:30am Monday 7 May, 10:30am Booking required: Yes Booking required: No Cost: Free Cost: Free A pretty walk around one of the most historic A gentle walk at a pace to suit all, taking parts of Wirral, but many residents know little in the Greenway and areas around Blacon. or nothing about it. There’s plenty to see, There is the option to do a short 30 minute including views of the Dee Estuary and the stroll or one hour walk. remains of Shotwick Castle and your walk Start postcode: CH1 5EY leader will explain particular points of historic interest. Can be muddy. Approximately Meeting point: United Reformed Church, four and a half miles long. Saughall Road Start postcode: CH1 6BJ Contact: Sean Ray Meeting point: Outside the Greyhound Inn, Telephone: 01606 720 432 Seahill Road, Saughall Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0151 677 4594 Email: [email protected] West Cheshire Walking Festival 2018 11 Westminster Park Blacon Tuesday 8 May, 10:30am Thursday 10 May, Booking required: No 10:15am meet, start at 10:30am Cost: Free Booking required: No A one and a half hour walk which is very Cost: Free sociable and explores the local area. Approximately 30 minute walk along A gentle stroll option is also available the Greenway, suitable for all fitness in and around the Park.