Introduction
Is this man
taking on the role of this man?
Today’s walk took me from England into Wales and back. If he gets his way, it may become illegal for this Englishman to do this walk after tomorrow!
I doubt that Mark Drakeford, Welsh First Minister quite sees himself as Owain Glyndwr, but who knows!
This walk started about as far from home, but still in Cheshire, as I can get, the hamlet of Chorlton, to the east of Malpas.
Travel time 70 minutes each way.
Walk time of around 3.5 hours, and a distance of 8.4 miles, so I exceeded my normal aim to be back in 5 hours. It is a lowland walk, mostly through posh rural Cheshire. Much of the walk is over fields, though I encountered no cattle, and quite a few stretches are on very quiet minor lanes, – perhaps not ideal for those wanting to give the dog a run off the lead.
Weather – dry, with lots of good sunny spells and some cloudy interludes.
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 257
Parking – on the road in the very quiet hamlet of Chorlton.
Chorlton
My walk began to the left of the splendidly maintained Womens’ Institute building and I soon approached Cherry Hill Farm.
Heading left just before the farm and over some stiles I soon came to the delightful mill pond.
Autumn colours were soon in evidence as I walked alongside a wood.
Oldcastle Heath
The next section of walk was on minor roads, affording great views over the maize fields to the Clwydian Range of hills to the west.
The Welsh Section
I was soon heading down into the valley of Wych Brook at Oldcastle Mill. At this point the brook marks the border between England and Wales.
After heading out of the valley, and walking across road and fields to Lees Farm, I headed back down to Wych Brook at Dymock’s Mill
Dymock’s Mill
The former mill has a handsome pond!
From the mill, the return walk was mainly on minor lanes and bridle paths – I think everyone in this part of Cheshire must have a horse!
Another splendid autumn tree caught my eye, as did this week’s bird of the day, a low circling buzzard (which is probably not visible if you’re on a small device)!
Cuddington Green
From Cuddington Green I took the opportunity to return to Chorlton via the still photogenic pond at Cherry Hill, where the walk had begun.
So, an easy walk with just a couple of short uphill stretches exiting the Wych Brook Valley, and an are of the country that merits further exploration of the nearby villages.
And Finally
One of our favourite artists of the last ten years, Nottingham’s finest, Jake Bugg to sing us out.