Higher Walton - Walton Hall - Hillcliffe - Bridgewater Canal - Higher Walton

Derek Smith

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Starting with a delightful wooded cutting this circular walk takes in a short length of the canal as far as the next bridge, then over the footbridge into the public and very popular Walton Hall Gardens. All the footpaths are in excellent condition and the route gently climbs a low hill, then descends, and finishes with a long towpath walk. There are few footpath signs at the beginning so careful navigation is needed for the first quarter of this walk. There are no stiles and only a few kissing gates. As there's a big children's playground alongside your footpath, progress along the first part of the route may be slow if you have children with you. Having passed the hall itself you need to find the start of a hidden ancient footpath which takes you to a golf course. Using a buggy path to avoid a busy lane, you then join the Delamere Way and follow this into the pleasant urban area of Hill Cliffe. If you ignore the shorter route, you are then taken up to the top of the hill and return down along an old enclosed urban footpath. Several more long enclosed urban footpaths, crossing over several streets, then follow. Eventually they deliver you back onto the Bridgewater Canal at London Bridge - (a different London Bridge), alongside which is the London Bridge Inn where you can refresh yourself before the long final walk along the pleasant towpath back to your car park. This walk includes instructions for walkers from moored canal boats.

This walk is suitable for children, teenagers, senior citizens and anyone in-between. Excellent for dogs, okay for buggies, but hopeless for wheelchairs due to flights of steps. Suitable footwear will be anything flat soled, but boots will be best, especially after recent heavy rain as some paths could then be muddy; but there should be no problems for anyone wearing shorts. On your route there are refreshments and toilets at the pub at the start and finish; in Walton Hall Gardens along with ice cream vans; by the canal bridge pub in Walton and at Thorn Marine in Walton. There are a few bench seats along the route but no picnic tables.

If you book in advance, you should be able to get a good meal with a drink at the Walton Arms pub where you parked; an excellent finish to a good walk.

England - North England - Cheshire - Canal Walk