Author: Richard Statham

14/01 – Lyme Park Walk

To kick start 2017’s Walks & Trails of the Unexpected, we’ll be going on a gentle family-friendly walk in amongst the grounds of Lyme Park this coming Saturday (14th Jan).

We intend to experiment with another idea of fusing Art with Nature – essentially we’ll be ‘Collecting’ (what we can carry in a large rucksack), ‘Sketching’ (sketchbooks will be provided) and ‘Capturing’ (bring your cameras) whatever we can on the walk and then creating a collaborative work of Art at a follow up gathering on Sat 28th Jan at The FUSE (more details will be provided nearer the time).

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme

10/12 – Lymm Dickensian

We were trying to think of something christmassy to do around Christmas and then we remembered the Lymm Dickensian festival. This is a short walk but this will hopefully allow time for children and adults to enjoy Spud Wood, Lymm Dam and the festival itself. At the moment the provisional plans are as follows but we’re waiting for conformation of transport options closer to the time.

We’ll be using the park and ride from the school, this is because parking can be extremely limited on David Dickinson day. We’ll park, walk then ride back at the end for a cost of £2 each. The first part of the walk we’ll head away from Lymm to Spud Wood, a former potato field now managed by local residents. We’ll then head near the canal back towards Lymm and through the playing fields next to Lymm Hall. This will bring us out near Lymm Dam, where we’ll stop for lunch. After lunch we’ll continue around Lymm Dam and arrive into Lymm Centre where the festival is taking place. This will be in time to see the Santa Run come through the town, followed by the parade. To return to the cars we’ll jump on the vintage bus back to the school.

http://www.lymmdickensian.org.uk

20/11 – Frodsham and Helsby Hills

When driving down down the M56 towards the lovely Chester you often notice a couple of hills on your left before you arrive on the plains. These are Frodsham and Helsby Hills and both look out towards the west, the Mersey Estuary, Stanlow, Frodsham Marsh, maybe even Cheshire Oaks! We’ll start near Frodsham (the start of the Sandstone Trail) on Beacon Hill. Heading south west we’ll skirt around the golf course and through fields until we reach Snidley Moor Wood. After descending a small cutting there will be a short section of road before winding through more fields to the hill fort of Helsby. After lunch we’ll descend through the forest to the outskirts of Helsby and head north. After a short sharp climb back we’ll arrive on a ridge which we’ll continue to follow until we arrive on Frodsham Hill. We’ll return to the cars with the option for a drink in a local public house.

05/11 – Ashton Upon Mersey Bonfire Walk

Remember, remember the 5th of November because we’re going on a bonfire walk. We’ll start from Ashton Upon Mersey and walk to the river, and down the far embankment. We’ll branch off the river and head over the motorway, turning left along Stretford Meadows. At this point it should be getting dark so don’t forget your torches. We’ll pop out on the road near Urmston before heading back to the river and recrossing the bridge. After a few hundred yards we’ll circle the rugby club and arrive for a bonfire. A family ticket (2 Adults 2 Children) is £15, an adult ticket is £5. Bonfire lit at 18:00 and fireworks starting at 19:00.

Bonfire Poster

23/10 – Tockholes and Jubilee Tower Walk

Our next outing this Sunday takes us to the Jubilee Tower with spectacular panoramic views for miles around. We’ll be parking by the Roddlesworth Information Centre and Royal Arms, either in the carpark or outside the bus stop. To start the walk we’ descend into the Tockholes plantation and down to the reservoir before following the river up through the ruins of Hollinshead Hall. We’ll then turn left up onto Darwen Moor, across the bog and down Duckshaw Brook with views of Darwen. Soon after we’ll see views of Darwen / Jubilee Tower, climbing it and taking in the surroundings. To finish the walk we’ll head down into Sunnyhurst Wood before returning to the cars.

02/10 – Padley Gorge Tor Tour

For our next walk we’ll be visiting a place suggested by Lydia, Padley Gorge. Although it’s not the highest place in the Peak District it has spectacular scenery. We’ll park in Upper Padely on the road leading down to Gindleford Station and a small cafe. The walk will start in the wood of Padley Gorge, heading up the valley following the stream. We’ll then emerge out of the wood and continue up the stream until we’re on Burbage Rocks, looking over the Tor’s. At this point we’ll begin a tour of the key landmarks in the area, Higger Tor, Carl Mark, Mother Cap before returning back through the wood and back to the station.

On this walk we’ll be running a photography competition. Everyone on the walk can submit one photo from the day and we’ll get everyone to vote for their favourite.

04/09 – Marsden Standedge Loop

Our next walk will be returning to the moors and the small town of Marsden. We’ll be meeting in the car park next to the station so if anyone wants to come by train they can. The walk will start off down the canal, heading to Tunnel End, the location of Marsden’s Imbolc festival of fire. We’ll then follow a stream and road onto Close Moss, where we’ll climb up the moorland. When this reaches the A640 we’ll turn left, joining the Pennine Way above Standedge edge. We’ll find a lunch spot here, looking back over glorious Lancashire. After lunch we’ll go back over the A62 and join what used to be the Old Leeds Road (or something like that). People will then have an option, either head straight back to Marsden or do some off roading over Pule Hill. Both routes then descend into Marsden avoiding the grumpy farmers farm, finishing off at the Riverhead pub in the heart of Marsden.

21/08 – Formby Nature Walk

First we’ll be taking in some dune heath land, according to one online source “The single largest lowland heath site in Lancashire”. Here we’ll find butterflies, moths, spiders, caterpillars and probably cows, or sheep + sand.

Next we’ll have to make it over a train track, assuming we all make it… we’ll have to dodge the golf balls as we make our way over Formby golf club.

The first squirrel spotting opportunities come up next, but to be honest, they’re sneaky buggers and we’ll be lucky to see one, but we may see a lizard and other dune welling critters, such as millipedes and beetles.

Next… to the beach! The only thing I can guarantee is sand, depending on the day there could be 1000s of birds, 1000s of scallies, or nothing and everything in-between so keep your fingers crossed. There maybe sea, there may not, those who have been to Formby before know what I mean, we may be adding a few miles onto the walk to guarantee salty water!

After a wonderful sunny stroll down the beach, after spotting seals (once in 33 years so far so might happen) and collecting/spotting what ever the sea lord (currently Sir Philip Jones) decides to offer up, we head back inland for another section of woodlands to hunt squirrels.

Once the disappointment of not finding squirrels settles in we’ll make our way back to the cars via Victoria road and we can marvel at Alan Shearer’s ex-balls and play spot the Liverpool player’s house / WAG.Finish with a drink in the Freshfield pub.

31/07 – Winter Hill

Having been on a few smaller walks, Sale Arts Trail and Sale Water Park, we’ve decided that it’s about time we went to the top of a hill. During the Ramsbottom walk we noticed a hill even closer to Manchester with large masts on it, this was Winter Hill. After a little research (looking at a map) we realised it’s the hill behind the popular visitor attraction, Rivington Pike… the following plan was formed.