Around Minera Mountain 10th June 2026

The start of our walk today.

"Fran you are going the wrong way!"

It's the Buttercup season

Red clover is doing well here too/

Ragged robin next to the path in Minera Mines Country Park.

Common spotted orchid next to the path in Minera Mines Country Park.

Foxgloves showing well

Guinea fowl, but they ae not included on the birds seen today.

So this is the Nature Reserve.

Lime kilns near the Minera Quarry,

Minera Quarry.

"Come on, can't you go quicker?"

"Mum, reading the notice is easier in English."

Just in case you wanted to read it as well.

Another view of the Minera Quarry.

Bird's foot trefoil in the field as we approached Minera Mountain.

Guess what, I can see Moel Famau!

A helicopter coining into land.

Approaching the trig point on Esclusham Mountain

Arriving at the trig point on Esclusham Mountain.

Hold on to your hats!

Annie with her patient friend on Approaching the trig point on Esclusham Mountain

The disused mine area on Minera Mountain.

Another view of the disused mine area on Minera Mountain.

Walking through the bracken.

Fran says "Is this they we should be looking after the environment?"

Nearly back on track to the path leading to Fron Deg.

Not the easiest gate to negotiate!

Ox-eye daisies at the Minera Lead Mine Centre.

Distance: 6.9 miles. Climb1037’.
Time: 4 hours 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 112.6 -13.7 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 3-4, mainly a Gentle breeze, but reached a 17.2 m.p.h. Moderate breeze near the trig point om Minera Mountain.
Group: Martyn, Mike, Fran, Annie and cockerpoo.
The weather forecast wasn’t brilliant, and we were anticipating frequent showers, possibly heavy.
We thought we had got away with it, but with less than a mile to go we had a downpour that made some of us grateful that we were sheltered enough to use our umbrellas!
We had a similar downpour just as we arrived back at the cars, one of the worst times for it to rain!
This was another day when natures the beauty showed well with lots of spring / summer flowers evident.
We saw plenty of Common sotted orchids, but they couldn’t match the splendour of the orchids seen last Saturday.
Route finding was easy s far as the trig point on Esclusham Mountain, but after that, it became more of a challenge!
We set off on what looked like a path that would be a short cut to the path we wanted that would lead to Fron Deg. Alas it ended up being a challenging tramp across bilberry and bracken terrain, at one point even Annie’s dog decided to lay down for a rest!
Lunch was taken much later than usual, as we all wanted put the moorland challenges behind us before relaxing at lunch.
It was 13-30 before we had lunch, and even Fran had only asked once “when are we stopping for lunch?” Outputs from Solar panels never even mentioned!
Luch was taken near Fron Deg, where all four of us manage to sit on a stile.
After lunch, we decide that the easiest option was to return to the start by using several sections of roads as well as on section of field paths.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Common pheasant, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Great tit, Willow warbler, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Carrion crow, House sparrow, Jackdaw and Eurasian curlew.
We arrived back at the cars, having had an enjoyable walk (for some), and worthy of celebrating at the Pant yr Ochain with a pint of Titanic s Plum Porter and a Guinness Zero (Chilli crisps included!).
However, I don’t think this route across Mineral Mountain will be repeated!

Walks and Dates June 2026

Suggestions for ALL Wednesday walks welcome, especially for the short walks.

Wednesday 3rd June 2026.

An Eddidbury Castle, Pale Heights and Delamere Forest Round.

Distance: 8 miles Climb: 700'.
The Yeld Car Park, Kelsall. Grid ref: SJ532602
Leave Chester at 09-30. The car park at The Yeld doesn't officially open until 10-00, so we don't want to get there too soon.

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive), .

Those not walking: .

The walk will start by heading down the lane opposite (Forest Gate Lae) the car park towards the Sandstone Trail, but at the end of the lane, we will take the woodland path past King's Chair that eventually links with the Sandstone Trail. 

After crossing the Sandstone Trail we will take the path eastward, reaching a lane by the "Poo - tin" and then down the lane as far as the path to Eddisbury Castle. After visiting Eddisbury Castle we will descent to meet a track that leads past the masts on the way to to Pale Heights.

We will then head to the Delamere Forest Visitor Centre and into the forest taking the path on the west side of Blakemere Moss, We will take a path past Pinewood Fam, Kingswood Cottage, eventually joining the Eddisbury Way  as far as Manley Common (a possible lunch spot if we haven't found anywhere better before then).

After leaving Manley Common, it is then a stroll through the forest on parts of the Sandstone Trail taking the track to Forest Gate Lane and back to the start.

Saturday 6th June 2026.

Exploring The Area Around Norton Priory Museum, Gardens and Walled Garden.

Distance: 3.6 miles. Climb: 315'.

Start: Norton Priory Grid ref: SJ 5484 8311. Sat Nav: Tudor Road, WA7 1SX.

Leave Chester at 09-15, so that we are walking by 10-00.

Those interested  in joining us on the walk, including the Museum and Walled garden: Martyn, Mike, Nigel, Elaine, Fran, Sue and Michel, Sue Pearson, David S.

Martyn will drive picking up Sue and Michel at 09-00 and Mike at 09-15.

Museum open: 10-00 to 16-00.

Walled Garden Open: 12-00 to 15-00.

Entrance fee about £14, reduced, if we get a Group rate. However, we would need to recruit a few more as their leaflet says Group are 12 or more 

It is anticipated that we do the Woodland Trust walk first, followed by the Walled Garden, leaving the Museum until last.

The Woodlands Trust Walk.

Distance: 3.6 miles. Climb: 315'.This is an easy and varied walk through woods, parkland and along the Bridgewater towpath.

Wednesday 10th June 2026.

Those planning to walk: Martyn .
Those not walking:  

Wednesday 10th June 2026.

Around Minera Mountain. 

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Minera Lead Mine Centre Car park. grid ref: SJ276509.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking:  .

This walk is a modified walk initially taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Ruabon and Hope Mountain". The walk is described as being quite demanding, especially on the open access moorland. A walk for experienced walkers only.

We have done this walk several times now and haven't always found it easy finding the path from Ty Hir. This time we will miss out the difficult boggy moorland part of the walk

We will follow the described route to Ty Hir Farm, but afterwards we will take the path that heads south and eastward past Park Farm to the World's End Road., cross the road and head for the trig point on Esclusham Mountain. We will then continue southward to join the Fron Deg Path.

At Fron Deg we will head norhward on a path that leads eventually to New Brighton and a path into the Minera Lead Mines Country Park.

Saturday 13th June 2026.

Holyhead Breakwater Country Park and South Stack.

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1326'.

Start: Holyhead Breakwater Country Park (Pay and Display - £8-00 in 2024). SH225833

or

Parking area at SH234835 on the road to the Holyhead Breakwater Park.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: 

This is another walk that has become an annual favourite. Along the coastal section there should be  good chances of seeing Choughs, Guillemots, Razorbills and even Puffins. Bring binoculars if you can. If time and energy reserves allow, we may visit the summit of Holyhead Mountain.

If we start at the Breakwater Country Park paring area, we will do the walk in a clockwise direction, if we park in the free parking area, we will go along the coastal path first.

Wednesday 17th June 2026.

No planned walk - I have a hospital appointment.

Those planning to walk:  .
Those not walking: Mike.

Saturday 20th June 2026.

Visit to Gronant Dunes Nature Reserve to see the Little tern colony.
 Those planning to walk:  Martyn.

Those not walking: Mike.

Wednesday 24th June 2026.

A Two Canal Walk from Anderton Lift.

Distance: 8-9 miles, Climb: < 400ft
Based on 7th April 2021 walk led by Mike Dodd and Upton Trekers 17th July 2021
Start; Anderton Boat Museum Car Park, Lift Lane, Anderton - CW9 6FW - SJ646754. Pay & Display - Ticket on foot
Leave Chester 09-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive) , .
Those not walking: Mike.
Access via M56 J10, A559, Gib Hill and Comberbach due to long term closure of Soot Hill
From the Anderton lift descend to Winnington Swing Bridge and take the Weaver Navigation tow path downstream almost to Acton Swing Bridge. Here go right and up a slight rise to gain the Trent & Mersey Canal at Bridge 208. Go right along the tow path to Bridge 207 where go off left to reach Little Leigh. Suggested lunch break in the village. Leave Little Leigh on a path which leads back to the Trent & Mersey at Bridge 204. Continue left along the tow path and negotiate two tunnels by walking over the top. The descent from the top of Barnton Tunnel and another mile of tow path leads back to the car park.

Saturday 27th June 2026.

No planned walk. 

Walk arranged on request.

 Those planning to walk:  Martyn.

Those not walking: Mike

Exploring the Area Around Norton Priory 6th June 2026

Setting off through Big Wood.

This is the steepest it gets!

The Bridgewater Canal towpath that we will use later.

Are you sure you've been here before?

Possibly a Cranesbill.

Pickerings Pasture.

Buttercups in Pickerings Pasture.

Time for a break and a treat provided by Gaynor.

Thank you Gaynor.

A Southern Marsh Orchid, according to Lens.

More orchids.

Heath Orchid.

Fran's orchids.

Mallards on the Bridgewater Canal.

Cootlets on the Bridgewater Canal.

Following Mum.

Coots again.

More Coots.

Coots on the go!

Canada geese on the Bridgewater Canal.

A Canada goose family on the Bridgewater Canal.

A Moorhen on the Bridgewater Canal.

Back to he orchids next to the Bridgewater Canal towpath.

Everyone is admiring the display of orchid - definitely the most we have seen in one area this year.

On the way back to the start on a path through Big Wood.

Lunch time outside Norton Priory Café.

Another photo of lunch time outside Norton Priory Café.

Distance: 3.5 miles. Climb: 272'.
Time: 2 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 17 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2-3, just a Light to Gentle breeze.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Mike, Fran, Nigel and Elaine, Gaynor, Sue and Dave.
It was good to see Dave P out for his first Short Walk, hopefully he will join us next time.
Lilly (the Spaniel) was the only missing member of the usual group.
The weather forecast for today wasn’t good, but again we decided to go anyway.
Thankfully we did, as we had no rain. A Moderate breeze was forecast as well, but at most we felt a Gentle Breeze as we walked through Phoenix Park.
The walk included paths through Big Wood, Windmill Hill wood and Town Park Wood, so we were well protected from any wind.
The first surprise today, was arriving at Norton Priory to find the car park pretty full, thanks to the Pheonix Park Run!
The second surprise of the day, came as we walked along the Bridgewater Canal towpath, where we saw a fantastic display of orchids (Southern March Orchids and Heath Orchids), both identified by Fran (her sister Catherine must be a good tutor!).
On the canal we also saw two Coot families and a pair of Canada Goose with four goslings.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Blue tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Mallard, Common coot, Moorhen, Canada goose, Winter wren and Song thrush.
We even finished the walk in warm sunshine.
The final surprise and the only disappointment of the today, was when we arrived back at Norton Priory to find that the Museum and Walled Garden were closed because a wedding was taking place in the afternoon.
Thankfully, Nigel negotiated with the café and they allowed us to use their outside tables – a perfect way to end a very enjoyable stroll around Norton Priory’s woods and Parks.