Introduction

It was a wet morning, as I set off for North Staffordshire. It remained grey for most of this walk, but not too rainy.

The journey is about 40 minutes each way by car from Cheadle Hulme to Gun End, not too far from Danebridge and Rushton Spencer.

This 5.2 mile walk isn’t suitable for dog walkers with lots of stiles and gates, as well as the livestock in many parts.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction, and with 770feet of elevation, wet and muddy conditions underfoot, and cattle in the fields to be worked around, I found it quite challenging.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

I parked at the road junction at Gun End Farm, postcode SK11 0SJ. What 3 Words /// laugh.fussed.prompts

Gun End To Gun Hill

I set off uphill past the pretty cottages on a road that soon petered out.

The road became a track, and then a path. Beyond a gate, there was cover under the trees, and I sheltered awhile before pressing on when the rain stopped.

It’s a walk of lovely views, but today they were shrouded in mist.

Gun Hill is Access Land, and is a fine example of upland heath. With the heather in full bloom, it was beautiful today.

I made my way along the stone track to the trig point at the summit.

From here there are fine views down to Tittesworth Reservoir.

Gun Hill To Turner’s Pool

There is a deep valley between Gun Hill and The Roaches opposite. The valley is fertile farming country, dominated by cattle.

There are few photos of my descent to the valley as I was mentally exercised by negotiating farmyards and fields of cows. There was one in particular where the cows were densely populated and I wasn’t going there. Thus, I had to clamber walls and fences into adjacent empty fields; quite tricky!

However, by the time I reached the valley floor, the clouds had lifted, and The Roaches cliff face was clearly visible, above the vibrant green of the pastures.

I walked along the valley to The Meadows, where these four calves were only slightly inquisitive at my presence.

At this point, the sun appeared briefly, and I could enjoy the fields and the view back up to Gun Hill.

Reaching the edge of a wood, I noticed a group of sparrow hawks circling above me. They appeared to be young birds in a family group, and I saw them return to a nest site in a high pine tree, then continuing to display their acrobatic skills around the treetops. Quite entertaining!

I then arrived at Turner’s Pool, a a quite large pool well utilised by anglers.

Return To Gun End

It was now uphill most of the way back to the car. I was grateful that the cattle (see header picture) were behind a fence as they took a keen interest in my presence. Then, I left the pool behind.

So many footpath posts are now becoming derelict. This one is just about hanging on, at about half its original height, but still legible!

At Cliff Hollins, there was an unexpected change in livestock roaming the field.

I wasn’t sure what to expect as I shared their field, but they didn’t show any interest in me.

It was still clear enough for a good view northwest to The Cloud’s classic profile, with Macclesfield beyond.

The last quarter mile then entered a pleasant clough with a stream, before I reached Gun End and the car.

To conclude, I’d say that Gun Hill and Turner’s Pool are well worth visiting, but the section through the farmyards at Oldhay Top and Thornyleigh Green and Hall are to be avoided, not least because of the unpleasant cow dung smells!

And Finally….

I came upon The Lovely Eggs by chance. They are a duo from Lancaster, and this is a great track.

From the album “Eggsistentialism” this is Nothing/Everything.