Introduction
At last, the weather seems to be a little warmer and drier.
With a league tennis match to play this evening, a short, flat, stroll seemed a good idea. Malpas is one part of Cheshire that I’m unfamiliar with, so I hoped this would give me a taste of what the area has to offer.
This walk is 3.8 miles long and took 2 hours, including a 20 minute lunch break. There is 1160 feet of ascent, and inevitably, quite a lot of mud to contend with.
The journey is about 1 hour 10 minutes each way by car.
Dogs would enjoy most of this walk off the lead, apart from the road sections, though there are a number of stiles to negotiate.
I walked in a clockwise direction, starting from the village centre.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map 257.
I parked on the roadside near the church, postcode SY14 8NU. What 3 Words /// bluff.flickers.reforming
Bishop Bennet Way
I set off from the fine village church.
After a couple of fields I made my way alongside the local cricket and football pitches.
The Clwydian Range of hills was visible not too far away, across the Welsh border.
Meanwhile, the farmers were busy gathering the first crop of grass from the adjacent fields.
I then reached the track which is part of the Bishop Bennet Way. It was beautiful today in the dappled sunlight.
Overton Manor To Malpas
The hedgerows were busy with warblers, finches and thrushes, so I took my time through here.
When I came to the road, the vistas opened up and it was a classic summer’s day in the English countryside.
I liked the simple lines of Overton Manor.
After crossing the Roman Road (Watling Street – London to Chester) and a couple of large grassy fields, the path entered a narrow gully. The signpost is just visible below. The nettles aren’t!
The wet weather of 2024 had left its impact here. I wouldn’t fancy this in winter.
At the end of this path was a series of cattle sheds. They seemed to enjoy seeing me!
From here, a right turn led up the fields to a track, past the high school and out onto the road back to Malpas.
I enjoyed the countryside, and expect I will return to this area for further exploration in the future.
And Finally….
Last week we saw Richard Hawley at The Apollo, and really enjoyed it. This track is “Deep Space” from the new album, “In This City They Call You Love”.