Lamaload Reservoir And Waggonshaw Brow

Introduction

If you know Woodford, you’ll probably know The Deanwater Hotel, on the banks of the River Dean. What you may not know, is that high in the foothills of the Peak District, to the east of Macclesfield, Bollington and Rainow, the River Dean is dammed to create Lamaload Reservoir.

It is a half an hour’s drive in the car from Cheadle Hulme.

This walk is around 4.5 miles, and is hilly, with 950 feet (290m) of ascent. It took almost2 hours 30 minutes to complete at a leisurely pace, plus 15 minutes for lunch.

Much of the walk is over grazing land, so not great for off lead dog walking.

The weather was cloudy but dry, 19 Deg C, very pleasant for walking.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

There is free parking at the reservoir, where the walk begins. For satnav, there is no accurate postcode for the car park. Use the A 537 (Cat & Fiddle Road) from Macclesfield to Buxton, and after Walker Barn drive 1.5 miles and turn left onto Ankers Knowl Lane, signed to Saltersford and Goyt Valley. This leads to the reservoir.

Contrary to the map’s indication, the car park entrance is unsigned, and it does not have toilets – they closed about 25 years ago!

Lamaload To Todd Brook

My route took me back onto the road, and in the direction I had driven down. The reservoir is lower than I have ever seen it, but the sheep aren’t bothered!

I left the road to the left and followed the stream. The little valley was alive with birds – dozens of goldfinches, plenty of pied wagtails. Also, an interesting distant bird which I managed to capture on 30x zoom. Keen to get home and see if I could identify it.

Pretty sure it’s a robin!

Over the top of the hill the water catchment no longer feeds into the River Dean, but flows to Todd Brook, then on to Toddbrook Reservoir at Whaley Bridge. It’s a wonderful unspoilt view down the valley.

The route leads down the valley and up through the wood on the top of the ridge in the centre of the picture.

Firstly, I walked across the fields and down a short section of road, near to Jenkin Chapel.

A path to the left follows the brook, before reaching this bridge, strangely supported on concrete manhole rings!

An attractive house is nestled in the valley alongside the brook, but my route ignores this gate and heads straight up the steep side of the hill to the wood referenced earlier.

Todd Brook To Waggonshaw Brow

I took my time going up the hill. There were wild thistles and harebells to stop and photograph.

From the top of the slope, the picture down and across to Jenkin Chapel shows the steepness of the route just walked.

There are great views down and up the valley from here.

Closer by, I managed to get a picture of a daytime flying moth, which I’ve identified as a Common Carpet Moth.

Another short road section led me to Waggonshaw Brow. The unmistakeable peak of Shutlingsloe appeared.

At Waggonshaw Farm, fortunately the goats in the farmyard were friendly.

Lamaload Reservoir was now back in sight.

Common Barn To Lamaload Reservoir

The path goes straight through Common Barn. After a 90 degree left turn, I detoured up the tumulus with a stone structure atop. The structure didn’t reveal anything!

I was now heading steeply downhill. It’s a beautiful view down the wooded Dean Valley.

Continuing on, I heard a bird calling loudly ahead. Chhhhp chhhhp chhhhp chhhhp. Instinctively, I thought it was something unusual. As I turned a corner I disturbed it – a stunning green woodpecker.

The path continues down to the water purification plant at the foot of the dam, and then I had to climb back up the hill to the reservoir.

One last look back down the valley.

Then, it’s a stroll alongside the reservoir to return to the car park.

This is a varied, short walk, with lovely views and two steep hillsides to make it quite challenging.

Very enjoyable!

And Finally…..

I enjoyed George Ezra’s set at Glastonbury. His new album is Gold Rush Kid, and this is Green Green Grass.