Audlem and the Shropshire Union Canal 7th October 2026

St. James Church, Audlem.

Going around one of the arable fields, happy to see that the maize had already been harvested.

A view looking westward towards Frodsham Hill ?

The small River Weaver.

DS beating one of the challenging stiles.

Another field to cross.

The cows part way to let us through!

Yet another field to cross, but thankfully no cows!

Strolling along the towpath after lunch.

On the Shropshire Union Canal towpath, heading for Audlem.

The entrance to the large Marina near Audlem.

Canada geese on the bank at the entrance to the Marina.

This Moorhen didn't want to be photographed!

A juvenile Moorhen prepares to jump!

Basking in the Sun at Audlem Lock 15, watching a narrow boat slowly come into view in the lock.

Resting at Audlem Lock 15

Enjoying the Sun.

Mallards on the Shropshire Union Canal near Audlem.

Grey heron on the bank of the Shropshire Union Canal opposite the Shroppie Fly, Audlem.

Distance: 6.3 miles. Climb: 253’.
Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 123.4 -16.2 Celsius, but it did reach 22 Celsius in a sheltered spot in direct Sun.
Beaufort Wind Force: 1-2. Mainly a Light air, but occasionally increasing to a Light breeze.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Fran, Mike and David S.
Although the rain was on the forecast, it never materialised and we had another good day for walking. It was largely sunny with a coolish breeze at times, so we all had our jackets on for most of the walk.
Although Mike and I had done the walk twice before, once in 2013 and more recently again in 2016, neither of us could remember much of the route!
Much of the walk was across farm fields, and as you would expect there were a great number of stiles to challenge our aging knees, in fact 12, although we did manage go around a four of the.
Not a walk for distant views, although we did at one point debate whether the hills on the skyline were Frodsham Hill or Bickerton Hill?
Most of the fields we went round were arable, although a couple of fields did have cattle grazing.
It was hard finding a suitable place to sit for lunch, but we later took advantage of some steps leading from the Shropshire Union Canal towpath up to a road near Cool Lane Bridge.
After lunch, it was a pleasant stroll in bright, warm sunshine along the towpath back to Audlem.

A slower than usual overall walking average, large due to the fact that we watched a narrow boat go through Audlem Lock 15 (our excuse to sit and bask in the sun for a while).
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, European robin, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Grey heron, Canada goose, Greylag goose, Great cormorant, Moorhen, Mallard, Lesser blackback gull and Black headed gull.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk, all the more so as David S was able to join us once more on a walk. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before he joins us again.

Delamere Forest, Blakemere Moss and Eddisbury Castle 3rd October 2026

The beauty of sunrays coming through the trees.

Checking the way.

It's this way.

It's this way too.

First views of Blakemere Moss.

Greylag geese on Blakemere Moss.

Lapwing on the tree stumps in Blakemere Moss.

Another view of Blakemere Moss.

More geese on Blakemere Moss.

A different view of Blakemere Moss from the eastern side.

Last views of the tree stumps in Blakemere Moss.

Looking back at our lunch spot behind the middle tree.

At Pale Heights.

Moel Famau from Pale Heights.

Looking towards the Eddidbury Castle ramparts.

At the entrance to Eddisbury Castle.

Is that the line of Eddisbury Castle?

I think this is the path through King's Chair woodland.

This definitely looks like the path.

Enjoying a pint of Brightside IPA on the terrace at the Morris Dancer in Kelsall.

Enjoying the Sun at the Morris Dancer in Kelsall.

Distance: 7.8 miles. Climb: 735’.
Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Temperature: 16.2 Celsius at the start, rising to 21.8 Celsius after lunch in the Sun.
Beaufort Wind Force: 1-2. Mainly a Light air, but occasionally increasing to a Light beeze.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
A delayed start as I was having my flu jab at 09-02 in Chester. However things went well, I had my flew jab early and a friend offered me a lift home, so I was back home by 09-10!
This was another great day for walking, pleasantly warm, dry with very little wind.
Once again, the water level on Blakemere Moss was pretty low, but this seemed to suit the Greylag geese Lapwings and gulls.
There is something magical about walking through woods when the Sun’s rays break through the canopy, giving a mosaic of light and shade. Today was one of those days.
Lunch was taken next to the Visitor Centre, where we took advantage of one of the many picnic tables, and enjoying lunch, basking in the warm sunshine.
After lunch, we had the steady climb to Pale Heights. In hindsight, we should have climbed to Pale Heights before lunch and avoided that climb straight after lunch.
It always amazes me to see so many people of all ages are around the Visitor Centre as well as seeing young people walking through the forest.
Pale Heights was popular as well, making it hard to get that photo standing next to the main Cheshire standing stone. The views from Plale Heights were good in all directions, allowing us to get that statutory phot of Moel Famau!
Arriving at Eddisbury Castle, it’s always a little underwhelming to see how little of the original castle still remains.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, European robin, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Black billed magpie, Blue tit, Greylag goose, Lapwing, Black headed gull and Common buzzard.
Overall, a very enjoyable varied walk, not something I say about walks in Delamere Forest.
After walk drinks were enjoyed on the terrace at the Morris Dance in Kelsall. Mike enjoyed an IPA by the Brightside, while enjoyed my usual pot of tea.

Walks and Dates October 2026

 

Wednesday 7th October 2026.

Audlem and the Shropshire Union Canal.

Distance: 5.6 miles. Climb: 180!
Start: Cheshire Street Car park, Audlem. (Now Pay and Display) 

Grid ref: SJ659436.
Leave Chester at 09-15. (It takes just under an hour to drive to Audlem)

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive), Sue and Michel, David S., Mike, Nigel, Fran?.

Those not walking: Elaine. 

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire",
The walk is described as exploring the attractive valley of the River Weaver with fine views throughout.

Saturday 10th October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday14th October 2026 .

Coed Ceunant and the River Clwyd.

Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 680'.
Start: Start: Ruthin Craft Centre Car park (free) on Lon Parcwr (4th turning off the roundabout if approaching from Mold/Chester. It is opposite Tesco). Grid ref: SJ125586.

Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: Nigel. 

This walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Vale of Clwyd" that we have done several times before, but not for some time In the past we have linked them with other walks that take the mileage to about 13 miles, more than most of us want these days. He describes the walk as  one exploring varied countryside, with excellent views and visits the charming ruins of a Medieval church using field paths and some delightful bridleways between Ruthin and Llanbeddr Dyffryn-Clwyd. It explores the attractive lower slopes of the Clwydian's, including a lovely wooded area.

Saturday 17th October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 21st October 2026

Cwm Conwy, Castle Wood and Moel Y Gaer.

Distance: 7 - 10 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Start: Rhosesmor. Parking area next to the children's play area. Grid ref:SJ214684.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike.

This walk is based on a walk  from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain".  The Cwm Conwy walk is one of my favourite walks in the Halkyn area at any time of the year. The extension continues the walk as far as the old cemetery at Halkyn, but any additional extension would need to include Halkyn Mountain itself - not to everyone taste! 

Saturday 24th October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Wednesday 28th October 2026.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1900'.

Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

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

Those not walking:  .

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose.
We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described
as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District.
This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list

Last time we attempted to do this walk, we encountered road closures and footpath closures, hopefully they we have all been sorted by now.

OR

White Nancy, Big Low, Berristall Vale and the Saddle of Kerridge.

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 2000'
Start: The Adlington Street car park Grid ref: SJ931782 or Pool Bank Car Park on Palmerston Street (opposite the Spinners Arms Grid Ref: SJ 93707790).

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: , .

This is another walk that combines two walks from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". He describes the walks as moderate to strenuous and includes some of the most scenic surroundings around Bollington. We have already strolled along Kerridge Hill and can vouch for that part of the walk.

These walks include some of the most scenic areas around Bollington and at the same time give hints of Bollington's industrial past.

Saturday 31st October 2026. 

By arrangement.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph, Pen-y-Ball Top and Monument 30th September 2026.

Things to look out for as we cross Holywell Common.

The main path to Holywell Common.

Tracks through the old mine workings.

Looking across Holywell Common towards the Clwydian Hills.

A closer look at Moel Famau from Holywell Common.

Power lines to guide us?

Blue skies above Holywell Common.

The waning Harvest Moon, seen from Brynford.

Not the flag we expected to see flying in this area.

The Flag of Aquitaine flying near Brynford.

The Welsh Flag flying as it should in Wales.

Part of Holywell Racecourse.

"Is he asleep?

Relaxing on the bench with a good view towards Pantasaph.

The view from the bench that would have made a good lunch spot for three.

The quarry near Pantasaph.

At the Pen-y-Ball trig point.

The Pen-y-Ball Monument.

Moel Famau from the Pen-y-Ball Monument.

St. Michael's Church, Brynford.

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 656’.
Time: 4 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17-8 Celsius at the start, rising to 21.8 Celsius after lunch.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2-3 Mainly a Light breeze, with a maximum 8.2 m.p.h. Gentle breeze on Holywell Common.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Nigel.
The weather today was perfect for walking, pleasantly warm and no more than a Gentle breeze. Not quite wall to wall blue skies, with only the occasional small white cloud appearing briefly.
Our path across Holywell Common took us through the hollows of earlier mine workings tracks created by off-road mountain bikers.
Once on the main plateau, we had good views of the Clwydian Hills, including Moel Famau.
Perhaps the surprise of the day was seeing a flag flying that had a yellow dragon with a blue tongue and claws. Apparently, it was a flag of Aquitaine in France.
Thankfully, a little further on we saw a much more appropriate flag flying – the Welsh flag.
We only went around the eastern section of the racecourse, now cleared of the gorse that once hindered your progress.
Our planned lunch spot was a bench in grounds of the Pantasaph Friary / Retreat, but when e arrived there the bench had been removed. We ended up sitting on a low wall, not as comfortable as a bench, but served he purpose.
After lunch we headed for Pen-y-Ball top, and chose a route above the quarries, and to our surprise we came across a bench that would have been a good place to stop for lunch, with its good views towards the Clwydians and Pantasaph.
The usual paths to Pen-y-Ball Top were blocked by a fence protecting a crop, but thankfully, we were able to reach the trig point using the there and back path, part of the path we would take to the Pen-y-Ball Monument.
The Dee estuary and the Wirral were clearly seen from the vantage of the trig point on Pen-y-Ball Top.
The Pen-y-Ball Monument also gave good views of Moel Famau and the Clwydian Hills.
Not many birds were seen or heard today, but those we did see included: Carrion crow, Rook, European robin, Woodpigeon and Common starling.
We arrived back at the car, having had a really enjoyable walk and looking forward to a pint of Lees bitter at the Blue Bell in Halkyn before heading home.