Introduction

I decided to stay down in the Cheshire Plain today, for this walk in the Dane Valley between Holmes Chapel and Congleton. There are only three bridges over the river between these 2 towns, one being a main road. I chose to create a circular walk using the other two.

It was a cloudy day, no wind and fairly warm for the time of year.

Swettenham is near Jodrell Bank, about 35 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.

The area isn’t blessed with paths, and finding a circular route without too much road walking meant a longer than normal walk for me, about 9.5 miles. However, being a generally flat route, the walk was still completed in about 3 hours 15 minutes plus 15 minutes for lunch.

The walk isn’t suitable for dog walkers as much is roads and farmland. However, the walk between Swettenham and Brereton Heath, and around the Brereton Heath Nature Reserve, returning the same way would make a lovely dog walk.

There is plenty of parking on the car park at the Swettenham Arms, postcode CW12 2LF.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.

Swettenham To Somerford

The Swettenham Arms is a delightful 16th century inn. Never mind the walk, this is usually well worth a visit. Behind the inn, The Lovell Quinta is a lovely arboretum. It’s a 28-acre site created by Sir Bernard Lovell in the mid 1950s, Lovell is best known for his telescope at Jodrell Bank and his work with radar. He was very enthusiastic about plants, especially trees and shrubs, and collected examples from far and wide.  In spring, this is particularly lovely. Or should I say Lovell(y)?

It is said there is an underground passage between the inn and the church opposite.

My walk set out across the farmland over the road from the church. This picture defines much of this walk!

On reaching the road I turned right and had a long walk down the road all the way to Somerford bridge.

It’s a quiet(ish) road with a couple of interesting ponds. Here’s one.

I start to head downhill, and the bridge and the River Dane provide significant interest.

Somerford To Congleton

Leaving the road, I crossed a wet field, and found myself in a small woodland above the river. I love these fungi on a fallen silver birch.

The dead rust-coloured ferns beyond the woodland seem to sum up the season.

I was soon reaching developing Congleton.

The outskirts of Congleton, like Holmes Chapel, are expanding rapidly into the countryside. There are new roads and housing developments. I have mixed views about the expansion of these orbital commuter towns. I think they can stand expansion in preference to the city conurbations, and I know that I enjoyed growing up in a similar newly expanding suburban village on the edge of the countryside 60 years ago. However, I love the countryside, and it hurts to see the fields being dug up and concreted over.

This new street name confounded me somewhat. How long will it hold true?

I was pleased to see the edge of the estate is already colonised by the house sparrows.

As I was leaving suburbia, I got a great view over the new rooftops to last week’s destination, The Cloud .

Congleton To Brereton Heath

The next 3 miles was something of a slog across the Cheshire farmland. Fortunately, the cattle are all spending the winter indoors so I only had some occasional sheep for company!

I reached Smethwick Green, a pleasant hamlet, far removed from the Smethwick I remember from my Black Country youth.

A stream broke the monotony of the fields.

And then, I arrived at Brereton Heath Nature Reserve. Interesting woodland glades and a nice butterfly!

The highlight here is the lake, formed by the quarrying of silica sand between 1959 and 1972.

A great spot for lunch.

This new refreshment facility has appeared opposite the reserve entrance. Looks good!

Brereton Heath to Swettenham

There are some lovely properties and pools alongside the track leading back to the river.

The view from the bridge shows the swollen River Dane.

From here it was a short walk back to the car.

This walk had a long road stretch and a long stretch over flat grassy farmland, but there was plenty of interest on the rest of it, and it was an enjoyable way to spend a December day.

And Finally….

Neville Staple is famed for his work with The Specials. If you like ska, you should like his new album, From The Specials And Beyond. This is “Don’t Let it Pass You By” – I love the lyrics, so don’t let life pass you by, and hold your head up high!