Introduction
So, it’s officially a heatwave. I decided that a short walk would suffice in this heat.
It was already 22 degC when I left home on the short drive to the lay-by next to the former Cheshire Hunt Inn, now the Cheshire Hunt Holiday Cottages.
It’s just a 20 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.
The walk is 4 miles with almost 450 feet of ascent. It took 2 hours 30 minutes, but I really dawdled in the heat. It could easily be done in under 2 hours.
Much of the walk is on tracks and farm drives, but there is some pasture to cross too.
I walked in a clockwise direction.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map 368.
The lay-by is on Spuley Lane (between Pott Srigley and Bollington) near its junction with Blaze Hill, use postcode SK10 5DE.
Hedge Row And Billinge Hill
Heading up the gentle rise of Hedge Row, past the holiday cottages (no trace of this having been a pub), the tranquil expanse of the Harrop Brook valley opens up to the left.
This attempt to camouflage a Land Rover is coming along nicely!
The second path off to the right leads uphill and around Billinge Hill. After Winterside Farm, I met some unusual sheep.
Before long I reached the road, Blaze Hill, and took a left and right down another long drive.
Rainowlow To Oakenbank Lane
At this point, I was high enough to enjoy the view past Billinge Hill and out across the Cheshire Plain.
Just around the corner, White Nancy and the outline of Alderley Edge appeared (see header picture).
Where the path splits, I ignored Kiskhill Lane and took the right hand track down towards the cottages at Rainowlow, pictured below with the Saddle of Kerridge rising in the background.
There were some colourful plants around the cottages at Rainowlow.
Arriving at Clarke House, I could have taken Kiskhill Lane down towards Rainow,, but I elected to take the fields up towards Ginclough.
These two concrete structures had very faded signs on them, saying “Old Shaft – Keep Out”. I couldn’t see a way in to be honest!
It was a beautiful view down to Rainow Village, and Kerridge beyond.
Behind me was the hill known as Big Low.
I now took the path to the right down towards what is shown on the map as a reservoir. There is clearly a dam on the western edge. However, the reservoir has not been maintained, and the water can’t be seen for the extensive reedbed, bushes and trees.
On meeting Kiskhill Lane for the third time, I took a left, then right, onto the ancient track, Oakenbank Lane.
Delayed By Blackberries
Both sides of the lane had overgrown verges, and the blackberry crop was amazing. So, I stopped and picked a bagful, about a pound and a quarter! They’ll go well with some apples in a crumble, later.
After crossing High Cliff, I turned left, and was now heading straight towards White Nancy.
River Dean, Ingersley Clough Mill And Sowcar
I briefly joined the Gritstone Trail and made my way down to, and across, the river.
The track leads past the derelict mill. An information board says that there has been planning permission for a housing development here since 2010. It’s clearly not an easy site!
After the mill, I continued to meet some cottages on the right. The path in front of the cottages, heads to Sowcar, where there is a n active smallholding.
It has a lovely mosaic tile depiction of White Nancy above it.
I was almost back now, but as my path met the road, I found that the corner cottages had been converted to a pub, The Poachers Inn. Well, it would be rude not to…. on such a hot day.
This was a perfect walk for a hot day. I took it really slowly, still got high enough for good views, and ended up in a pub.
What’s not to like.
And Finally….
Blur have a new album out, The Ballad of Darren. It’s a bit different. This track is “Barbaric”.