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.

Postponed until next month.

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.

May change this walk for one nearer to Chester.

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: Fran and Nigel.

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.

Postponed until next month.

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.

Birdwatching at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR 17th October 2026

Looking across the Main Scrape to Moel Famau.

The Main Scrape at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR.

Cattle egrets with the cattle.

Woodland Pool.

Whooper swan on Bridge Pool.

Two more Whooper swans on Bridge Pool.

A Ruby tiger moth caterpillar 

(if Google lens is right!)

Distance: 3.0 miles. Climb: About 100'.

Temperature: About 15 Celsius (felt much warmer in the Sunshine).

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 Calm - No wind at all!
It was a really lovely morning, bright and sunny, a better day foe walking than birdwatching.  The bright sun made observing the birds more difficult.  Nevertheless, it was worth going and being outside for a few hours.

Birds seen or heard included: Common blackbird, European robin, Cetti warbler, Rook, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Teal, Mallard, Moorhen, Avocet, Shoveler, Shelduck, Little egret, Great white egret, Black tailed godwit, Whooper swan, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Long tailed tit, Green sandpiper, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Canada goose, Pink footed goose, Little grebe, Common kestrel and Ruff.

Coed Ceunant and the Afon Clwyd 14th October 2026

Ruthin Craft Centre, the start of our walk today.

First view of Moel Famau as we crossed the field to Llanbedr DC/

The entrance to St. Peter's Church, Llanbedr DC.

The harvest festival display in the entrance to the church.

Inside St. Peter's Church, Llanbedr DC.

Enjoying a coffee.

Owl carving in a garden in Llanbedr DC.

Remains of the medieval church of St. Peter.

At the medieval church of St. Peter.

At the medieval church of St. Peter.

Heading for Coed Ceunant.

Heading for Coed Ceunant.

The path through Coed Ceunant.

Another delightful path through Coed Ceunant,

The gateway to the Moel Famau Country Park.

A fallen tree rests on the drystone wall.

Our path descended through high bracken.

A new gate near Fron-bellaf.

View from our lunch spot above Fron Ganol.

A Parasol mushroom near Fron Ganol.

The completed part of the mill near the Afon Clwyd

View across the Afon Clwyd towards the Clwydian Hills.

Not much water flowing over these steps / fisher laddes today.

It would have been nice to see at least one of these today, but alas we didn't see any!

Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 925’.
Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walking average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: Around 18 Celsius throughout the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 1-2. Mainly no more than Light air
Group: Martyn and Fran.
Another good day for walking, largely sunny in the morning, but clouding over during the afternoon. Nevertheless, it was pleasantly warm all day.
The first part of the walk took us round the back of Ruthin School past all of the impressive new buildings, sadly no longer used as a school.
Crossing the fields to Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, some of the stiles had been replaced with kissing-gates, and a new footbridge had been installed, always appreciated by us pensioners!
St. Peter’s Church at Llanbedr DC was open, so naturally we went in. Fran noticed that there was a coffee machine there, and decided it was a good time for a coffee. She paid by card, but nearly paid £350 for it, rather than £3-50 that she wanted to!
Once again, we visited the medieval church of St. Peter, not far from Llanbedr Hall, before heading for Coed Ceunant.
Lunch was taken on the slopes of Moel y Gaer, with views of Fron Ganol below us.
After lunch, our route was almost a direct line the Afon Clwyd, passing some impressive new houses on the way.
Although the path back to Ruthin takes us next to river, views of the river were largely blocked by overgrown vegetation.
The river was very low, but still enough for some young cows to enjoy running through it.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Common starling, Common pheasant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven and Black billed magpie.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
After walk refreshments were enjoyed at the Ruthin Castle Hotel (Wetherspoon),

John Summers Clock Tower Building Visit 10th October 2026

Plenty of visitors arriving.

Wilsons Journey time-line.

The start of the main staircase in the entrance hall.

This was a Coastal Cargo Vessel built for John Summers.

One of the period pictures on display. 

This one seems to be of the Shropshire Union Canal by Cow Lane Bridge.

One of exhibits about the steel works.

Some artifacts from the steelworkers.

Inside the board room.

An impressive desk for the secretary!

Any idea where this is?

This one is a bit easier!

The second floor staircase stained glass window

A different view of the clock from the outside veranda / patio.

Hawarden Bridge from the veranda / patio.

This way to the Community Garden.

The extent of Wilsons empire!

One view of the garden.

Looks like this was a crown green bowling square.

This picture depicts tthe swimming pool and fountain when in use.

The swimming pool now - not very inviting!

This is allthat is left of the fountain - no longer with tumbling water.

Grounds originally to be used by the staff at the Steelworks.

Statues of the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil) at the entrance to the Community Gardens.

I remember visiting this dining area when I visited the steelworks on a school visit in the late sixties.

Hawarden Bridge - river still rising.

Last port of call before heading home.

Distance: 3 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess, there was an awful lot of steps in the clock tower!
Not really a a planned walk, but I noticed that Wilsons Auctions were having an open day to show off the John Summers Clock Tower building after they had restored it.

They were ding guided tours, if you pre-booked, I didn't, so I just wandered through each room and around the garden afterwards.

I started with breakfast at the Central Hotel in Shotton before strolling across Hawarden Bridge at 11-15  (the tide was pretty high and still rising!) to enter the building at the main entrance from the riverside path.

It was much busier than I expected, so taking photos wasn't easy, if you wanted take them without any people being in the picture.

The restoration is impressive, and it was well worth a change of plans and take the opportunity to see inside the building whilst it was being offered.

I returned to the Central Hotel, to sample another two beers in the Wetherspoon Beer Festival before heading home on the bus.