Bollin Valley, Styal, and Rossmere

It’s So Quiet

Lockdown makes this the best ever time to walk in this delightful area. This hike would be ravaged by the constant roar of jet engines in “normal times”, but today the sound of the swollen river had taken over.

Travel time – 12 minutes each way.

Walk time – 4 hours including a 15 minute stop. Due to the heavy overnight rain, the walk was very muddy which made it quite slow going and challenging.

The weather was cool and bright with intermittent periods of sunshine.

The walk is 9 miles with 777 ft, 237m, of total ascent, a surprisingly high figure as initial perception is that this is a fairly flat walk. The uphill sections are mainly on steps in the Bollin Valley. There are plenty of areas where dogs can run free, but a few parts where that would be tricky.

OS Explorer Map 268.

Parking – on Altrincham Road, near The Ship Inn, Styal.

Styal Village and Quarry Bank Mill

There is a small National Trust car park off Altrincham Road from which a short stroll takes me to Styal Cross, and a path across the fields to the Visitor Centre.

I turned right down the road and passed a view across to the gardens and then the mill on my right.

Continuing ahead through the gate after the NT shops I then took the longer route around the mill pond.

River Bollin

It was soon clear that the river was very full!

I followed the track along the river and when a metal gate appeared in the distance I avoided by following the path to the right, alongside the river.When this path brought me to a gate I turned right across the bridge over the River Dean as it came down to meet the Bollin. Immediately over the bridge I took a diagonal right to a small footbridge over the Bollin, turning right to follow the river back downstream and over a series of boardwalks, and a section past Wilmslow Rugby Club.

Morley Green and Newgate Nature Reserve

The path leaves the river and heads up a wooded clough, eventually emerging onto a track coming out at the A538. I went straight over and followed the minor road until some houses appeared on the left, immediately after which I took a very wet track to the left, at the bottom of which there was a right turn thatled to Morley Green.

At the end of the path a tarmac lane leads right but I took the left along a track, through a gate and on into Newgate Nature Reserve, which 20 years or so ago was a Local Authority tip. You wouldn’t know it now. As the track leads uphill, an easily missed muddy path led off to the left and I took this through the young woodland.

Rossmere

The path emerges onto a road, and turning right I pass the kennels and continue straight on then through a gate to a stile on my right which I take, ready to enjoy the glorious views of Rossmere. Oh dear, what have they done?

In their wisdom, the Prince Albert Angling Society has put these fences across every fishing pitch, ruining this beautiful place.

Fortunately, there is one point where there is no fence, and the view is as lovely as ever.

After rounding the lake, I reach Saltersley Hall Farm where much construction work continues – it’s been going on for years!

You can’t now walk through the farmyard and down the drive, so I go left, then right up afenced incline, to a stile.

A Farmland Stretch

The next 45 minutes involves a lot of wet fields and some farm tracks, and is not overly interesting, except for some nice looking horses. I pass Hollinglee and Blakeley Farm.

On To The Valley Lodge

After taking Blakeley Lane past Oak Farm, the lane turns to the right. At the end of this stretch, where it turns left, I take the path straight ahead, cross the field and head down into a very muddy wood .

Continuing ahead, I ignore the path off to the left, and climb a slope with the River Bollin re-emerging on my left. As I leave the wood the hotel appears on the skyline and some airport paraphernalia to my left.

The Valley Lodge was always a well known landmark on the A538. Who on earth decided to rename it the Brittania Airport Inn? It could be anywhere now.

I cross the road, and the river, and head up to the entrance back into the Styal National Trust estate. As I take the track over the field a hunting kestrel dives from about 40 feet into the grass, and after about 5 seconds emerges…. empty handed! I take the track right into the woods and down to the river, where I stop for lunch and admire the work of the protective gear – I’m still dry. Great Christmas pressie last year, Delly and Jordan!

Back To Styal

It’s a beautiful walk along the river valley, and especially so without aircraft noise.

There was one unnerving moment when I dropped my phone, and it decided to capture me doing so!

When I reach the rear entrance to Quarry Bank Mill gardens I take a left up the hill, emerging at Northcliffe Chapel and the sunny view to the mill cottages, from where I return to the car.

It was a strenuous walk in the conditions, a little longer than I prefer, so finding a way to avoid the long farmland section would definitely be an improvement.

And Finally….

On the way home, one of my favourite Squeeze tracks came on the random play.

A salutory lesson for anyone thinking of a one night stand!