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
Leave Chester at 10-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Elaine, Fran, Mike.
Those not walking: David S..
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.
Suggestions needed, it looks as though I will still be side-lined with a persistent chesty cough,
Around the Little Orme to Rhos On Sea.
Postponed until Wednesday 18th February so rgat Ed can join us.
Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'.
Start: Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno.
Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
This has become a regular walk at any time of the year, but at this time of the year we stand a good chance of seeing Grey seals in Angel Bay, especially as High Tide is around 11-18 (7.7 m ) so we may see more seals on the way back.
The views from the top of the Little Orme are always superb.
The main reason for doing the walk so early in the year is to see if there are any Seals around Porth Dyniewaid.
Bring binoculars with you if you have them.
Saturday 17th, January 2026.
No planned walk.
Wednesday 21st January 2026.
Rhuddlan L.N.R ., the Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk with possible extensions to the Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.
Distance: 8 - 9 miles. Climb: 120'.
Start: Park at the Rhuddlan L.N.R. car park. Grid ref: SJ020776.
The car park is on the Western side of Rhuddlan. To get to the car park, from the A55, turn right on to the A525 (St. Asaph Road towards Rhyl and Rhuddlan), at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Station Road (to Rhuddlan centre / Castle). The car park is on the right, opposite a new hotel. If you get to the bridge over the river you've gone too far!
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
This walk is an annual favourite, at least for those that like to do as little birdwatching as well. It is a good time of the year as there are lots of Winter visitors that frequent coastal areas and river estuaries. Bring binoculars with you. Last time we had lunch by the Marine Lake, near the Foryd. We have also had lunch on the beach at the Foryd. Although we didn't see Snow buntings on the Foryd last year, with a bit of luck we may see them this year. High tide at the Foryd is at 12-54, 7.9 m / 25.7'.Last year we didn't do any of the extensions! Extension, if any will be taken at each appropriate point in the walk on the day.
Saturday 24th, January 2026.
No planned walk.
Wednesday 28th January 2026.
The Trent and Mersey Canal, Great Budworth and More.
Start: Marbury Country Park car Park (Pay and Display £2-50 last time). Grid ref: SJ652763.
Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
The main 7 mile walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". This is described as a varied walk with plenty of historic interest, including the Anderton Boat Lift.. The extra mileage will be made by exploring the Anderton Nature Park, Marshall's Wood, Carey Park, Ashton's Flash and Neumann's Flash. Bring binoculars with you if you can.
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.
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.
List of Possible Saturday Walks.
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.
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.
Conwy Mountain and Around Maen Esgob and Craigfedwen.
Distance: 8 miles. Climb:1447'.Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773. Post code: LL32 8LS
The walk starts by heading through the castle walls and on the North Wales Coastal Path along the harbour as far as the secondary school. The North Wales Path is the followed over Conwy Mountain through Castell Caer Seion and onto the Sychnant Pass.
The views from the Conwy Mountain Ridge can be superb, with the Great Orme in one direction and Tal y fan in the other, as well as good views towards Conwy castle and the Conwy Valley.
After crossing the Sychnant Pass Road, the North Wales Path is once more folowed. At the point where there is a definite fork, it is possible to make a short there and back extension to visit the site of a monument. Returning to the North Wales Path, it is then followed along the East side of Maen Esgob as far as the head of the Fairy Glen. A path heading eastward then takes us past Llyn y wrach.
Once the West side of Maen Esgob is reached, the main track is followed parallel to the stone wall towards Craigfedwen, where the footpath goes South of Waeny-fedwen and onto the minor road near Llechwedd. The route goes Northward on the road ad then takes the first path on the right which leads around Bryn-mawr to a minor access road. It is along this road that several large and/or interesting properties can be seen. at the T-junction, the route goes right and in a very short distance a broken kissing gate leads the way to a field path leading to the Sychnant Pass Road at Mount Pleasant on the outskirts of Conwy. The Sychnant Pass Road is then followed back to Conwy.
Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills.
Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1000'.
Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF
PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a cafe at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs. You never know we may get some snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.
This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.
This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking the path through the farm yard,
We may see a Kingfisher at The Spinnies, but that often depends on whether the tide is coming.
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.
