Rainow And Lamaload Reservoir

Introduction

Well, it’s really cold, isn’t it?

I decided to keep my walk short and familiar today, and I stuck to well-made surfaces, mainly roads.

It’s a half hour drive from Cheadle Hulme to the village of Rainow, near Macclesfield.

The weather was fantastically crisp, bright and sunny.

The walk is 5.5 miles long, and it took about 2 hours 30 minutes.

This isn’t a great walk for dogs, being predominantly on sheep pasture or minor roads.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

I parked on the road near Tower Hill, see map below, postcode SK10 5TL.

Lamaload Lane

As I parked the car, the temperature outside was -6degC, but there was no wind, and I was well wrapped up.

The lane is maintained to a high standard by United Utilities, being the route to the Lamaload Water Treatment Works. I was soon enjoying the views across the snow covered fields to Kerridge, with White Nancy prominent, and beyond to the Manchester conurbation.

It was noticeable that the land on the far side of the Dean valley, facing south, were much greener, being exposed to the sun throughout these winter days.

Only the trees on the nearside bank were snow free.

After passing several farmhouses and cottages, the road crosses a cattle grid. Here the sheep are free to roam, and sunbathe as they may choose!

Rounding the next turn, the water works and reservoir dam come into view. The snowy track I was to take is prominent in the centre of the picture.

Lamaload Reservoir To Buxter Stoop Farm

As I took the track the snow glistened brightly beneath me. Diamonds?

At the top of the hill, the reservoir appeared, with the sun directly behind.

Further round the angle allowed a picture without so much glare.

I joined Hooleyhey Lane, turning left into Erwin Lane at Nab End.

As Erwin Lane rises, there are spectacular views down to the upper Todd Brook valley to the isolated Jenkin Chapel. The road up to Pym Chair is just visible in the upper left corner of the picture.

A little further on, Buxter Stoop Farm displays two attractive metal bird sculptures, the heron in a tree, and the owl weather vane.

Waggonshaw Brow To Rainow

I took the path along Waggonshaw Brow, negotiated the goats in the unavoidable farmyard, enjoyed the view across the reservoir to the distant, unmistakable Shutlingsloe, and continued on to Common Barn.

Heading downhill, I could now see the views across the Cheshire plain. White Nancy is in the centre, Alderley Edge rising from the plain on the extreme left of the picture.

Getting lower, the mill on the Macclesfield Canal at Bollington dominates the mid-distance.

After a short stretch along the B5470, I took off over the fields above Rainow village and church.

At Thornsett Farm the path joins a track running down to meet the River Dean in Rainow.

From here, it was just a short walk up the road to the car, where the temperature was now a balmy -2degC!

All in all, a smashing winter walk, very enjoyable,

And Finally….

The Vaccines are London’s answer to The Courteeners. I love the new album, Pick-up Full Of Carnations. This belter is “Sometimes, I Swear”.