Quarry Bank Mill Estate and Styal Country Park 27/03/11

A five mile walk through the National Trust’s Quarry Bank Mill Estate and Styal Country Park. It starts in Styal village then over fields to the River Bollin. After a lunch stop at the Mill the walk continues through Styal Woods and returns via the perimeter of Manchester Airport and along the Old Altrincham Road which has some of the original medieval buildings of Styal .

The walk follows established footpaths but they may be muddy in parts following wet weather. Although most of it is quite flat there are several steep but stepped ascents and descents in the woods. The end of the walk is along a lane part of which is closed to traffic.

There is an NT teashop and picnic area at the Mill and a pub at the end.

Phil & Phil

WEEKEND AWAY JUNE 17 - 19 Betws-y-Coed in North Wales

Walking Weekend - 17 - 19 June  

This years OOS weekend away will be in Betws-y-Coed in North Wales, close to Snowdonia National Park. Its a picturesque market town on a river with some good pubs and lots of walking opportunities. 

As with previous years, please make your own arrangements for accommodation and we will meet at one of the pubs on the Friday evening and I will have a look at some walks for the Saturday and Sunday. 

I'll email more details nearer to the date. 

Cheers

Derek    

Sunday 13 March - Turton and Entwistle Reservoir

The walk is approximately 8 KM ( 5 Miles ) around the two reservoirs. 4 hours depending on stops.

Gentle walk with only three inclines of approx’ 200 yards each. It can be very muddy in places, but the majority is good paths on the level. There is a small stretch on a minor road, to gain access to the path once again. Depending on the weather, the walk can be shortened if it is pouring down. Hopefully that will not be the case; ever the optimist.

Walking boots are recommended, with Outdoor protective clothing from the cold and rain. A hat and scarf  would be useful as the wind coming off the reservoir on the eastern end can be very cold at times.

On route there is an Inn but it is too soon into the walk to stop for a meal, so please bring a packed lunch and a flask, water etc. At the end of the walk group members can return to the Strawberry Duck for a drink if they wish by a shorter route. It tends to be packed out on Sundays.

To view the area with a little history of the Reservoirs  > http://en.wikipeda.org/wiki/Turton_and_Entwistle_Reservoir

Cheers Jeff

Sunday 27 February Ashursts Beacon

This is a short circular walk approx 4 miles - taking in some lovely scenery along walk routes through fields on paths and woodland with very little on road walking. Taking into consideration the time of year it will be muddy and slippery in places, please come prepared with your walking boots and wet gear, hopefully you will not need it.
I recommend you take a packed lunch/refreshments with you as we will stop after 2 hours or so at the beacon (after a sharp ascent) to take in the views and have a well deserved break. From here it will only take us half an hour to get back to our base. (please don't be put off by the sharp ascent to Ashursts Beacon its not a long one say 5 mins - you can do it!)

Pubs:
There are two pubs close by at the end of the walk if anyone is up for a pint - details on the day.

 Peter

February 13th - Haigh Country Park, Wigan

This is an easy 4 mile walk along a section of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and around part of Haigh Country Park. It may be muddy in places, so boots are recommended. There is a teashop in the Park, where drinks and snacks can be purchased, or you can bring your own lunch.

Patrick

Sunday 17 October - Ramsbottom to Rawtentsall and returning by train

Next Sundays walk will be one of the perenial favourites, led by myself and David, a pleasent 4 - 5 mile walk along the River Irwell from Ramsbottom to Rawtenstall across fields and woodland. It also includes one of the biggest outdoor photograph frames your ever likely to see.

It is an easy walk mostly on flat ground but boots advised as it could be muddy.    

Meet at 12.30 at Ramsbottom railway station (outside the ticket office). At the end of the walk at Rawtenstall we will take the train back to Ramsbottom (either 3.25 or 4.15 depending on arrival time in Rawtenstall)

Its a weekend for diesel enthusiasts on Sunday so I'm assuming we'll be travelling back on diesel as opposed to steam.

There is a cafe in Irwell Vale church about half way along which serves coffee and hopefully scones/cakes but feel free to bring sandwiches.

Derek and David 

September 5th Goyt Valley

A fairly short walk of 5 or 6 miles in the Goyt Valley, starting just beyond Whaley Bridge and going around Fernilee Reservoir.

The first and last parts of the walk are through fields that may be damp or muddy. Much of the walk is along easy paths, with just one or two steeper sections.

There are no pubs or cafes en route so a packed lunch is recommended. But there are a number of pubs around Disley, that should provide a suitable stopping-off point afterwards.

Richard