Delamere Forest - Hatchmere – Blakemere Circular
You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.
Delamere Forest - Flaxmere – Hatchmere – Blakemere Circular
Delamere Forest is a popular area for visitors, but even starting from one of the main car parks you can soon leave the crowds. This walk takes you past three meres (lakes), one of which (Flaxmere) is so far through its natural development that there is rarely any water visible. The walk takes you out of the forest and across farmland with views towards the forest. You return to the forest past Hatchmere, a lake that is not as far through its natural evolution as Flaxmere. Beyond Hatchmere you may be able to see the remains of the drainage works begun by prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars.
Towards the end of the walk you pass Blakemere. This was wet and unproductive forest until the mid-1990s. At that stage it was realised that the cost of harvesting made it uneconomic, so it has been gradually allowed to return to being a mere. There are usually plenty of water birds to see on Blakemere, whilst Hatchmere is home to some unusual plants and insects. For information on the wildlife of Hatchmere, see http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/hatch-mere. Hatchmere is also popular with wild swimmers, one of whom sadly drowned in 2009.
England - North England - Cheshire - Woodland or Forest
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Good for Kids, Lake/Loch, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Wildlife, Woodland
Walkingworld members near this walk
Clubs/Walking Groups
Distance away
Pubs, cafes and restaurants
Distance away