Wednesday 7th January 2026.
Heswall Fields and Dales.
Distance: 5 miles. Climb: 400'.
Start: Car Park, Banks Road Heswall. Grid ref: SJ255815. Post code: CH609JS
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Chester and the Dee Estuary."
The walk description starts at Thursaston Visitor Station, but we will start at the car park on Banks Road, Heswall, which is also on the route.
We have all walked around Thurstaston Visitor Centre , so we know most of the area well. However this walk allows us to explore Heswall Dales NR and Heswall Fields neither of which I have visited before.
Starting at Banks Road means that we will be able to have lunch there and take advantage of their pic-nic tables / benches, if they are still there!
Saturday Walks by arrangement,
Saturday 10th, January 2026.
No planned walk.
Wednesday 14th January 2026.
To be announced.
Saturday 17th, January 2026.
No planned walk.
Wednesday 21st January 2026.
To be announced.
Saturday 24th, January 2026.
No planned walk.
Wednesday 28th January 2026.
To be announced.
Saturday 31st January 2026.
No planned walk.
I am happy to change the designated walks as long it is requested by the Monday and a suitable alternative walk suggested.
Please feel free to make suggests of walks that you would like to be included.
Please remember, I have a Prayer Praise Meeting at Church on the first Wednesday of each month, so I will be looking for walks not too far away.
Possible Future Short Wednesday Walks.
4th February 2026.
Hilbre Island.
Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess!
Start: South Parade, West Kirby Marine Lake. Park between the old baths and the Sailing Club at the Southern end of the lake Grid ref: SJ214860.
Leave Chester at 10-00.
High Tide is at 08-13 ( 17' / 5.1 m), and 20-40 ( 15.3 ' / 4.7m).
Low tide is at 14-56, so it looks like being a good option today. We should be able to cross the sands following the tide as it goes out.
Bring binoculars, their should be plenty of Wintering birds to see and hopefully seals too.
Saltney Ferry Road, Higher Ferry and Return to Chester on the Wales Coastal Path (North side of the River Dee)
Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 200'.
This would be a linear walk, and would need the Chester members catching the bus to the start.
I suggest you catch the 10-15 bus (Arriva no 11 Holywell) to Saltney Ferry Road from Chester Bus Interchange. (The Saltney Ferry Road bus stop is the stop after going under a footbridge opposite St. David's High School). You can use your Chester Bus Pass.
I would meet you at the Saltney Ferry Road bus stop.
Walk 2
Saltney Ferry Road, Higher Ferry and Return to via Saltney Riverside Park, Saltney Dock, Curzon Park Golf Club, he Dingle and Handbridge. Path (South side of the River Dee)
Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 200'.
Arrangements are the same as for Walk 1 above.
Walk 3.
Great Barrow and Plemstall
Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 280’.Start: Layby on Barrow Lane, Great Barrow. Grid ref: SJ46916846.Leave Chester at 10-00.
Those planning to walk: .
This a low-level walk involving many field paths and quiet country lanes. Some of the field paths can be quite muddy after heavy rain.
The walk allows us to visit two villages, Great Barrow and Plemstall. At Plemstall we can visit St. Peter’s Church, Plemstall with its nearby St. Plegmund’s Well. At Great Barrow we can visit St. Bartholomew’s church.
Last time I did this walk was with Ed on a very hot day and I managed to lose my Leki! We also made the mistake of trying to complete all three of the Stamford Bridge walks in one go. We won't be doing that today!
The walk can easily be extended by an extra 2 miles and 50’ of climb.
Walk 4
The Groves, Chester to Higher Ferry and Back, Using Paths on both sides of the river.
Distance: 7-8 miles (Probably too much for a short walk)
Climb: 240'.
Start: Band Stand at The Groves, Chester, Grid Ref: SJ 409 660
This combines Walk 1 and Walk 2.
I have included it, as it could be a walk that the group may wish to do on other days than the first Wednesday in the month.
List of Possible Saturday Walks.
Moel y Garneddd.
Distance: 7- 8 miles.
Climb: 1200'.
Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: .
Those not walking: .
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.
Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.
Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.
Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: .
Those not walking: .
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).
Town Brook Hollow and Ragleth Hill.
Distance: 9 -10 miles; Climb:2400'.
Start: Church Stretton centre car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SO454941.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: .
Those not walking: .
This walk combines two short walks taken from Ian R. Jones's booklet "20 Church Stretton Walks". Town Brook Hollow (Ashlet Hill) to the North of Church Stretton and Ragleth Hill is to the South. The two walks effectively create a figure of eight walk around Church Stretton, making Church Stretton a good place to look for a lunch spot.
It isn't easy to translate the Town Brook Hollow R. Jones 's map to the OS map, so we a more recent booklet "Walks in the Shropshire Hills" by Steve Goodier, so we might use his description for the Town Brook Hollow walk.
The Ragleth Hill walk includes quite steep climbs and descents, so we will probably do that walk first.
The Ragleth ill walk is 5.4 miles with a 1137' of climb and the Town Brook Hollow walk is 3.8 miles with 1244' of climb.
Exploring A walk from Norton Priory.
Distance: 3.1 miles. Climb: 200'.Start: Norton Priory Grid ref: SJ 5484 8311. Sat Nav: Tudor Road, WA7 1SX.
This is a walk that Mike suggested, and is based on one he found in a Woodlands Trust Leaflet.
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