Kingsley - Bradley Orchard - River Weaver - Kingsley

Philip Ingram

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Leaving the village, you soon emerge into a countryside of fields and narrow, wooded valleys. These steep-sided valleys are known as 'cloughs' in this area. In spring, the hedgerows and cloughs will be bright with flowers and a good variety of birds. By the autumn, the fruits and seeds will be adding colour and providing rich pickings for the birds and small mammals. Eventually the route passes along the top of a gentle slope running down to the river. From this terrace edge there are views downstream towards the Mersey and upstream towards the Pennines. There are occasional glimpses of the factories towards Runcorn, but they don't seriously intrude.

Leaving the terrace for the riverside, geology can be seen in action as a small stream cuts a new clough next to the path. Beside the river there is a very good chance of seeing swans, geese, ducks, moorhens and coots, while buzzards will probably be wheeling above. Later, the riverside path runs though relatively undisturbed woods that provide good cover for small animals; stop and listen for the quiet 'plop' of a water vole diving in. In the woods, tree spotters should look out for specimens of the uncommon small-leaved lime. Eventually the route leaves the river valley with new views opening up towards the Sandstone Ridge to the west.

Although the area is usually extremely peaceful, it is only fair to point out that there is a shooting, quadbiking and paintballing centre inside the loop of the walk. If the centre is busy, the activities may be audible.

England - North England - Cheshire - River Walk

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Pub, Public Transport, River, Wildlife, Woodland

6/19/2018 - Philip Ingram

Rewalked the first part of this in June 2018. Very little mud but serious lack of maintenance on stiles etc. At point 06 the field is under wheat and the path has not been reinstated as the law requires. This will be reported to the council. It is possible to go round the headland. After point 11, the steps down have decayed and are almost invisible. Head left to zig-zag down. There is broken glass on the ground in this area so it is advisable not to slip. I did not walk the stretch from point 21 onwards.

3/17/2013 - Mark Maddocks

Have completed this walk today 17/03/2013 and can agree with James regarding the mud but would also like to add at waymark 15 just before exiting the field to proceed along the rough track there is a serious amount of mud and silage(over ankle deep)very difficult to skirt this, so not for the faint hearted. Mark Maddocks

2/17/2013 - james andersson

Nice walk but be careful of the mud when it's been raining a lot, some of the areas around gates can get seriously churned up. Funny if you've the right footwear, even funnier if your partner hasn't. Also the later parts of the riverside path need maintenance but aren't a problem (yet!)

4/15/2012 - Elizabeth Smith

I did this today, a lovely walk over Cheshire farmland and along the river but can agree it is very unsuitable for dogs because of cows & bull in field, and lots of stiles.

9/10/2009 - Graham Moss

Walk completed 07-07-2009. Easy walk and the waypoints made keeping to the route very easy although without the GPS some points may be a bit difficult to find. At waypoint 7 the farmer has placed a single strand wire fence around the edge of the field though the path down to the bridge has been marked by white material wrapped around the wire strand. At waypoint 20 there is no longer any sign but there is a fairly new metal kissing gate - and there was a goat in the garden. Finally anyone who does not like cattle may not like this walk as there are plenty of them along the route - at one point I had six of them blocking a stile and had to gently chase them away in order to get through (these were young bulls) but all the cattle were docile and gave me no trouble.