Marple Bridge and The River Goyt

Introduction

The weather forecasters seemed unable to decide whether the early rain would be here all day, or perhaps just linger further south. So, I changed my plans, and took a walk that I know well, and from which I could fairly quickly retreat if the weather took a turn for the worse. This walk packs a lot into a relatively short distance.

As it turned out there was very little rain, and I was able to take my time and enjoy the varied attractions offered by this route. It was pretty muddy, but the walk is on tracks and bridleways rather than fields.

There are some vehicles on the tracks, but plenty of potholes mean they are moving slowly, so dogs should be OK off the lead apart from the short sections through the community farm and the golf course.

Travel time 25 minutes each way. Walk time today was 2 hours 45 minutes, but I did take it very easy, stopping at various attractions and taking 15 minutes for lunch.

The walk is 4.8 miles with 856 ft (260m) of ascent.

OS Explorer Map OL1

Parking – The free car park just above The Midland public house, or alternatively, across the road in Brabyns Park.

Along The River Goyt To The Garden House

I set off by following the path along the river which starts at the drive to the right hand side of The Midland pub. It is a beautiful rushing river all along this stretch to The Garden House community farm.

The Garden House – Great Memories Here

The Garden House community farm is wonderful, and there were quite a few parents and toddlers here today enjoying the animals. The pigs were enjoying the mud!

Those who know me will know that the last time I was here was a week or so before Lockdown 1 to witness the re-enactment of our son Jordan’s proposal to Delly in the piglet sty which has now been taken over by some kids who refused to stay still for a photo!

Roman Lakes and Bridge

I headed on, down the unadopted road, over the river, past the ruins of Mellor Mill (of which much more later) and on to Bottoms Hall.

Taking Lakes Road, I continue on to the main site of Roman Lakes Leisure Park. The Leisure Park was created following the demise of Mellor Mill at the end of the 19th Century, and was named Roman Lakes to attract the late Victorian and Edwardian tourists from Manchester.

The amenities are closed at the moment.

Continuing along the river I pass under the railway viaduct which carries trains between Manchester and Sheffield and the weir which raised the water level to feed water into the mill ponds (now Roman Lakes).

Continuing along, I see the pretty footbridge over the river, but don’t go over!

Path Improvements

I recross the railway line through a short tunnel, and continue past Windybottom Farm (who would call their farm Windybottom??!!) and on toward Greenclough Farm.

Having walked here about 4 or 5 years ago, it was a boggy, muddy nightmare, but credit Stockport MBC as it’s now a well-made tarmac bridleway!

Coming to a junction of tracks at Greenclough Farm I take a left and head passing some cottages and continuing up the hill until meeting the main bridleway between Brook Bottom and Mellor at “The Banks”. Looking across the valley to Marple Ridge I can pick out Jordan and Delly’s house slightly left of centre in the picture.

Mellor & Townscliffe Golf Club and Linnet Clough Scout Camp

The path runs through this challenging hilly golf course, which is open and quite busy!

On reaching the road I take a left U-turn back into the golf club and follow the public footpath sign downhill, leaving the golf course and heading through the scout camp with its adventure climbing frame looking through the trees.

Carrying straight on this is the muddiest section of the walk, but fairly easily negotiated, coming out again at Bottoms Hall, where there are fresh eggs and honey for sale.

Mellor Mill

I retrace my steps to the archaeological site of Mellor Mill, which was the first producer of muslin. The mill was built in 1790 – 93, but sadly burnt to the ground in 1897. I spent quite some time reading the many recently installed information boards about Samuel Oldknow and his mill, which has been excellently re-evaluated by the excavations of the last 10 years.

Marple Bridge

Rather than return the way I came, I walk up the track in front of the mill site, over the hill and down into the pretty village of Marple Bridge, where the walk ends.

And Finally…..

Just to complete the memory from March, it has to be this tune for Jordan and Delly!