Sale Walking and Activity Group SWAG

NB PLEASE NOTE THAT VERY FEW MEMBERS OF SWAG ARE ON MEETUP HENCE THERE WILL BE FEW ATTENDEES LISTED HERE,
ALL WALKS ARE VERY POPULAR.

The short SWAG walk this Sunday, 22 June 2025, is a relatively gentle walk, rated at grade E and is some 6.5/7 miles long, through the lovely Cheshire countryside around Rostherne.
The walk will commence at 10:40 sharp from Mereside Road (A5034), just past the disused Swan Pub, which is now a housing estate (still under some construction). Parking may be limited so try to car share if possible.
Meet at Brooklands at 10:00, to depart at 10:10, feel free to go direct. We will NOT be at Brooklands, so please arrange any car sharing yourselves.
Directions from Brooklands to Mereside Road (A5034) as follows:

1. Take the A556 (Washway Road) to the Lymm roundabout.
2. At the Lymm roundabout take the A556 (in the direction of Northwich/M6 J19, but note we are not going to Northwich nor are we going to the M6).
3. You will almost immediately negotiate a new, small roundabout with traffic light control. As you leave this roundabout to join the lovely new by-pass dual carriageway (A556) get into the right hand lane. If you stop in the left hand lane you will inadvertently end up on the M56 to North Wales and you don’t want that to happen.
4. Take the first exit off the new by-pass dual carriageway, signposted A5034 to Knutsford. This will bring you onto the old A556.
5. Proceed along the old A556 in the Knutsford direction. You will very soon approach some traffic lights at Bucklow Hill. Take the A5034 direction (to the left of the BP garage) and park on the right hand side of the wide road, immediately after these traffic lights.
6. When parking leave minimum gaps between cars, as parking may be limited.
7. The nearest postcode for parking is WA16 6QZ.

For the more savvy amongst us, the what3words reference for the parking/meet location is: obeyed.snipe.clouding
Be aware that you cannot return to Altrincham/Sale by the reverse of the above directions. I suggest you return by the Tatton Mile/Ashley route.
Health and Safety Aspects:
The weather for the walk is forecast to be quite warm, so bring appropriate sun protective wear, suncream and plenty of fluids.
There will be both a coffee and lunch stop.
The walk is relatively flat with a some gentle, short inclines and approx. 10 stiles to negotiate. One particularly hazardous stile has recently been beautifully repaired for just £3.50 +VAT, see if you can identify it. There will be some short sections of road walking, where care and vigilance will be required.
We shall transit through a few crop fields where the footpaths are ill defined, so fall into single file and endeavour to avoid damaging the crops underfoot.
You will encounter a number of potential hazards during this walk in the Cheshire countryside, but with due care and attention, the risk of personal injury from these hazards will be minimised.
One of the greatest risks of personal injury will be as a result of slips, trips or falls during the walk. The causes/hazards likely to cause the risk of personal injury, include but are not limited to the following:
Slips: wet or icy footpaths, steep or smooth slopes and loose ground.
Trips: uneven or poorly maintained footpaths, fallen branches, loose or irregular ground.
Falls: well maintained but severe/high styles, poorly maintained styles, steep footpaths and slopes near footpaths.
The risk of personal injury can be mitigated by ensuring you are in a fit and healthy condition to complete the walk and you have equipped yourself with the walking gear compatible with the walk and the prevailing environmental/weather conditions. This includes but is not limited to:
Suitable footwear, protective clothing (against cold, heat, sunshine, rain etc), walking poles etc. Bring fluids and food/snacks as appropriate.
Livestock: particularly bovine and equine varieties can be dangerous and should be approached with caution at all times, particularly calves and their mothers.
There were bovine livestock in one of the fields when we reconnoitred this walk recently so no dogs on this walk please.
Greyhound pub in Ashley afterwards for refreshments, postcode: WA15 0QR.
Look forward to seeing lots of you lovely people on Sunday.
Eric 07816655744 on behalf of Anne & Nigel

NB PLEASE NOTE THAT FEW MEMBERS OF SWAG ARE ON MEETUP THEREFORE THERE WILL BE FEW ATTENDEES LISTED HERE

On Sunday 22nd June I will be leading a 9 mile walk, grade C starting from Hartington.
I led the walk today for SWOG, I know in the programme I have put it down as an 8.5 mile walk, but it is a 9 mile walk.
Meeting time at Brooklands is 9.15am ready to leave at 9.30am, for anyone going from the Stockport area I will be meeting at Hazel Grove park & ride at 9.30am ready to leave at 9.45am.
The walk will start from the Duck pond in the centre of Hartington, postcode SK17 0AL, W3W importing.utter.enveloped at 10.45am. There is free parking on the roads in the centre of Hartington.
If you are going direct can you please let me know.

From Hartington we walk east for a short distance up past the Youth Hostel, to join a path on the right walking south east to Dale End, from here we walk a short distance north west along the road to join a path on the right across fields for an ascent to Chapel Farm at 311m, then walking east, we will have a break for refreshments when we get on the Tissington Trail. which we walk north along for 2.5 mile to Parsley Hay where we will have our lunch break, there are toilets here, a cafe & seating. From here we walk west to Darley Farm to join a path across fields walking south west to Vincent House then south round Carder Low & back to Hartington.

Risk Assessment
Be aware of bikes on the Tissington Trail & give them enough room to get by.
When going over stiles take care

Total Ascent 263m

Please take walking poles & gaiters.
Dogs allowed as long as they are on a lead when going near livestock.
After the walk there is the choice of the Beresford Tea Rooms or The Devonshire Arms for refreshments in the centre of Hartington

Hope to see some of you on Sunday.
Eric 07816655744 on behalf of Steve Buttery