Northwich Woodlands

Introduction

I worked in Northwich for more than 12 years, and was looking forward to returning to this familiar area.

The high winds of Thursday had abated a little by Friday, and so, with Rolo alongside me, I decided it was safe enough for a lowland walk.

The area to the north of Northwich Town Centre is a beautiful example of an industrial heritage being returned to nature. The Northwich Woodlands are still young, and therefore the winds were less likely to dislodge trees or branches.

It’s now just a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Northwich.

The walk is 6 miles and it took about 3 hours, but I find it’s usually slower with the dog. This included a 30 minute lunch break.

This is a fantastic walk for dogs, being almost all on country park tracks and the canal towpath, with just a couple of short road sections.

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 267.

I parked at the free Witton Mill Bridge car park, just past the Household Waste recycling Centre, postcode CW9 5LN.

Witton Mill Bridge To Anderton Boat Lift

From the car park, I walked back along the approach road, crossing Witton Mill bridge.

I stopped to admire the simple, giant cycle sculpture.

I turned up some steps, and across the Aldi car park. With Barons Quay Asda in sight, it doesn’t feel like the place for a country walk. However, on my right I spotted the entrance to Carey Park.

And in the blink of an eye, there are no people to be seen, and we have the park to ourselves as we follow the River Weaver beyond the fence to our left!

We crossed the bridge where Witton Brook meets the Weaver.

There are plenty of Information Boards explaining the history of brine extraction,. I loved this picture of the subsidence that the extraction caused. Here. the window cills are now at ground level!

We were now in the Anderton Nature Park section of Northwich Woodlands. There are occasional glimpses of the ongoing chemical industry through the trees.

We arrived at the world famous Anderton Boat Lift, which takes boats between the higher level Trent & Mersey Canal to the River Weaver navigation with its access to the Mersey estuary. The Heritage Centre was closed today, so we had to settle for enjoying this view of the access onto the lift at high level.

Budworth Mere

We headed east along the Trent and Mersey canal. The date on this milepost is 1819!

After the canal, we had a short walk along the road, and entered Marbury Country Park, and diverted a short way to the bird hide overlooking Budworth Mere, an ideal spot for lunch.

The feeders were busy with all manner of birds, tits, blackbirds, magpies, jays, and…

this nuthatch in the birdhouse.

And just to make our day, this magical bird flew into the trees at the water’s edge.

Neumann’s Flash

We crossed a field, and a short stretch of Marbury Lane to return to the canal.

This section of the walk was exposed to the strong winds, and we hurried along here.

Neumann’s Flash is a large body of water, clearly visible from several bird hides as you encircle it.

It can be seen through the trees too, from time to time.

It’s just a short walk back to the car park from here.

This is a lovely walk, and so easily reached, with flat, well constructed paths that make it enjoyable for most abilities.

And Finally….

We went to see Foy Vance at Band On The Wall in Manchester last week. We also enjoyed the set by his partner, Bonnie Bishop.

This song is Love Revolution.