Introduction

The weather forecast indicated that a rainy start would pass eastwards during the morning, so I headed west to to get to the dry spell as soon as possible. The forecast was right, and I drove through the rain on the M56 and arrived at my starting point in dull, but dry conditions.

In fact, the weather didn’t really change all day, but it was quite warm, so decent walking conditions.

Mouldsworth is 45 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.

The walk was just under 8 miles through mildly undulating countryside.

It took about 3 hours plus 15 minutes for lunch.

There are some great dog walking sections on the walk, particularly in the forest.

The map shows a car park and picnic area at Brine’s Brow, postcode CH3 8AH, but it has fallen into disrepair and a locked barrier prevents access. Today, it was easy enough to park on the road by the car park entrance.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 267.

Which Way?

This walk used 4 local trails of mid-Cheshire, as I found on this sign halfway round the walk, namely Delamere Way, Eddisbury Way, Baker Way, and Sandstone Trail.

Mouldsworth

I set off using the western end of the Baker Way as I walked from the out of commission picnic area to Mouldsworth.

Love this signpost!

I took the small lane to the left shortly after the signpost, definitely a little used road.

A well marked path to the right led past the fishing ponds on the outskirts of Mouldsworth.

I used the road to go up past the station where the 1101 to Chester was just leaving.

A path on the lef tled to another road and then another path between two hedges. This narrow path had stiles at either end that may be tricky for a larger dog to negotiate!

Before 2009, Peckmill Brook marked the boundary between Vale Royal and the City of Chester, Mouldsworth having been in the latter, Manley the former. It’s all Cheshire West and Chester nowadays.

Manley

I was now heading into farming country. Though the sky was still very grey, nature still made it possible to spot a photo opportunity.

Manley Old Hall has a fine duck pond!

I took in a very short stretch of the Sandstone Trail.

Carrying on up a road, I passed the strangely named Yarrangall Road and a fine copse of silver birches, before a path to the right led me past Claim Farm and on up to Birch Cottage.

Claim Farm and Crossley Park

I loved this dry wall being built in sandstone at Claim Farm. Beautiful craftsmanship.

Walking down New Pale Road, I couldn’t decide whether Crossley Park was a gated development of posh houses, or some sort of more sinister institution! Google tells me it’s the former. There’s a house on the market for £1,875,000.

Turning left onto the Delamere Trail I found the woods of Crossley Hall Estate on my left and fields on my right. The woods are full of holly, so still green…. with red berries!

Delamere Forest

Moving into the main forest, I was surprised to find a forest holiday park, not marked on the map!

It looks really good – Center Parcs without the activities.

https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/locations/cheshire/delamere-forest/

I made my way through the forest, enjoying the trees, stopping for lunch, and joining the Sandstone Trail.

As school’s out now, teenagers on bikes were plentiful – a great place for them to be outside having fun. However perhaps avoid holidays and weekends if your dog could get in the way!

The Manley Hill Bike Park sign was great – Basically saying that this is really fun, but be careful it’s dangerous!

Eddisbury Way

On leaving the park, I’m reminded of my old job as I pass the 4 “Airey houses” on New Pale Road which we (Weaver Vale Housing Trust) repaired in 2005. They look really good. I’ve thrown in a library picture showing a repaired and original Airey concrete house to show what a dramatic change occurs in the process.

I’m now on Eddisbury Way, heading over fields towards Ark Wood, there is a great view across the rural landscape.

In the wood, a fallen tree has completely blocked the path and I had a rather precarious job circumventing it.

Nearing the end of the walk, where the maize has been harvested, it’s five to two, and here comes the 1401 to Chester, approaching Mouldsworth Station.

This is a great walk. I loved the villages, the rural landscape, the trains, and of course, the trees. I only touched a small part of DFelamere Forest. It’s a great place for a day’s exploring – highly recommended!

And Finally….

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have released an album of remixed Motown classics, with both original singers with featured extra vocalists and of course their own music. Love this version of I’ll Be There by RPO and The Jackson 5.