From Wilmslow to Styal Woods and beyond on Good Friday
24 people attending
6 places left
Join us for a walk from Wilmslow along the valley of the River Bollin! The route takes us through Styal Woods to Morley Green at the far end of the woods, and back again, using different paths. This is a circular walk of 9 miles / 14.5 kilometres, with 265 metres of ascent. There are plenty of steps and slopes as we clamber up and down the river valley. Riverside woodlands are the main feature of this walk, plus Quarry Bank Mill – a cotton mill, built almost 250 years ago, in the Cheshire countryside. The walk starts and finishes in the centre of Wilmslow, so is easily accessible by train from Manchester and from the south.
Wilmslow is a small town lying in the valley of the River Bollin. It developed from a small village after the coming of the railway in the 1840s. Only 11 miles/ 18 kilometres from Manchester city centre, it has become a popular residential location for commuting into Manchester. In the last fifty years it has developed a reputation for affluence, becoming the hometown of a number of northern media personalities and Manchester footballers.
Styal is a small village, also sited near the River Bollin, and around 2 miles / 3.2 kilometres north-west of Wilmslow. Styal is where industrialist Samuel Greg built Quarry Bank Mill, a cotton mill, in the 1780s. The mill was situated on the bank of the river to use waterwheels to power the weaving of cotton fabric. By the 1820s, the mill was expanding and Samuel Greg constructed new housing and other facilities for his growing workforce. It closed as a working factory in 1959 and is now owned by the National Trust, which maintains it as a working industrial museum.
Morley Green is a rural area lying above the Bollin valley and close to Manchester Airport. Comprising a number of farms and individual cottages, it's the turning point on this walk.
Dogs: well-behaved dogs are welcome on the walk, but must be under control at all times and on a lead when walking through fields with livestock or where wildlife might be disturbed. We are likely to encounter a lot of other dogs on this walk - it's popular dog-walking territory!
Waitlist: if this event is fully booked and you want to participate, just add yourself to the wait list because places usually become available closer to the date.
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Photo credits: photos by the event leader with permission given to OutdoorLads for their use.
What to bring
The right kit makes a good day out more likely, despite the weather:
Boots: your most important piece of kit: comfortable, waterproof, breathable and designed for hiking. Trainers may be OK, depending on how rough the ground is and if its dry. Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters. Gaiters: you may want these for wet weather or boggy conditions.
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and to body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt), a mid layer (micro-fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (windproof jacket or thick fleece). Trousers: avoid jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, and take ages to dry out. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry more quickly. On warm days shorts may be ok.
Waterproof jacket: carry one in your rucksack when walking in all but the calmest of weather. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Hat or cap: useful for staying warm in winter and shaded in summer. Gloves: essential in winter and ideally waterproof.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, this should be comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely.
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter. Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days.
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated. Snacks: a range of biscuits, energy bars, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit (for example) are always good to have. Put them in your rucksack where they are easy to grab.
Water and other fluid: bring between one and two litres, depending on season of the year and temperature. A combination of water, fruit juice, energy drinks and a hot drink (in cooler weather) is recommended.
Medicines: essential if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments, etc. A personal first aid kit with hand sanitiser, bandages and paracetamol or ibuprofen (for personal use only) is a good idea.
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch, snacks for along the way and sufficient fluids (hot or cold) to drink during the walk. A hot drink is recommended in cooler weather.
There's a café at Quarry Bank Mill which we'll stop at on the way out and there will be the opportunity to go for a drink in Wilmslow at the end of the walk.