08/07/2011
| Walk: | Woodhouse Hill, Newton, Fivecrosses, Hatley Farm, Belleair, Weaver Navigation, Newtown and Frodsham | ||
| Start Point: | Frodsham Railway Station | Grid Reference: | |
| Distance: | 7.5 miles | Ascent: | 950 feet |
| Time: | 4.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Warm but overcast with a couple of rain showers | ||
| Comments: | It was suggested that the Senior Rail
Carders ventured south of Preston for a change and for £7.00 return
on the train they arrived at Frodsham at 10.40pm after a 45 minute
journey. Leaving the main street they used part of the Sandstone
Trail, passing St Laurence’s Church, to climb through a wooded area
up to one hundred metres above sea level. On the way up glimpses of
the River Mersey could be seen through the trees and advancing rain.
On reaching the highest point of the tree covered escarpment the
“carders” followed its edge to pass a hotel and later the site of a
fort at Woodhouse Hill before turning east and into open
countryside. Using green lanes and minor roads the “carders” arrived
at Crow Mere to take in sustenance before continuing to Fivecrosses.
Using the Eddisbury Way for a short distance the “carders” walked
through Hatley Farm and then near to Belleair on their way to join
the Weaver Navigation and Frodsham Cut. On the latter stretch the
path was not obvious and a GPS proved useful. On reaching Frodsham
Cut the rain returned once more but it didn’t dampen their spirits
even when a missing hedge caused a little confusion to the
navigator. Returning by the A56 to Frodsham the “carders” treated
themselves to tea and cakes before catching the train back to
Preston arriving at 16.45. Unfortunately the day of travel being
Friday, the London to Glasgow train which was boarded at Warrington,
was a little crowded. In the main the paths in the area where well signed and gave the opportunity to view the scenery in another part of the world. NB. The journeys were off peak and the journey was from Preston changing at Warrington BQ for the Llandudno. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
St Laurence Church at Frodsham
Climbing through woods to Woodhouse Hill
On the Sandstone Trail
Crow Mere - lunch stop
Part of the Eddisbury Way
Senior Rail Card Holders wending their way to Hatley Farm
One of numerous footbridges on route
A heron in flight
Rain threatens by the Weaver Navigation