{"id":1005177,"date":"2022-03-31T16:49:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T15:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1005177"},"modified":"2022-11-04T15:44:36","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T15:44:36","slug":"woodford-avro-mottram-hall-golf-courses-and-the-rivers-dean-bollin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1005177","title":{"rendered":"Woodford, Avro & Mottram Hall Golf Courses, and The Rivers Dean & Bollin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was pushed for time today, so chose to join up several paths I know well with a section I’ve not walked before to make a lovely 5.8 mile walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A ten minute drive, and I was soon setting out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was marked by a strong, cold north easterly wind. I encountered one short snow storm, but mostly I enjoyed sunshine and fluffy clouds, which make for great photographs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an easy, generally level walk, with surprisingly varied landscapes, taking about 2 hours 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of sections suitable for dogs to run off the lead on fenced paths and minor roads, but there is also some sheep pasture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked 200 yards down Old Hall Lane at the side of Woodford Parish Church (postcode SK7 1PR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Woodford To Mill Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cal and I were married at Woodford Church 42 years ago, so it’s a place with special memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I left the church behind me and headed down the lane to Old Hall Farm. The farm closed about 5 years ago and has been undergoing massive regeneration. Since I was last here, the outbuildings and silos have been demolished, and the Old Hall is now clearly visible. More of this later!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The cottage opposite the farm is 400 years old, and was modernised about 15 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A short uphill section leads to the boundary fence of the old British Aerospace factory and airfield, where the growing Woodford Garden Village is being built, and encroaching ever closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path now leads off the road to the right, where it skirts the Avro Golf Club. Avro was a 2oth century aircraft manufacturer and the course was built adjacent to the airfield and factory. It’s a very pretty 9 hole course along the bank of the River Dean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the houses in the far corner of the course, a path leads alongside a tributary stream with post industrial wasteland on one side and a contrastingly delightful copse on the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path emerges onto a pasture where I followed the line of overhead cables to reach the Water Treatment Works and on to Mill Lane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mill Lane To Mottram Hall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having crossed the river by the road bridge I turned left to cross two large fields of sheep….. and their offspring!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The map shows an ancient moat, and it is a very distinct feature, but there’s no indication of its original purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Bonis Hall Lane, regular users of the road have seen a huge mansion being developed over the last few years, seemingly in the middle of a flat field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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However, my route took me round the back of the house past the new tennis court, where the land falls away towards the River Bollin. The back of the house actually has dramatic views down the river valley, and it is an impressive building<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path led me to the river crossing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Over the bridge the path rises to meet the edge of Mottram Hall Golf Club, and traverses the river and golf course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I spotted a pair of goosanders here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Further along I came across this unusual plant, about 5 inches tall, on a sandy riverside beach. No idea what it is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When the Hall came into view, I found some fallen logs in a relatively sheltered spot, and I stopped for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mottram Hall Back To Woodford<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the golf course behind, the river opens out into shingle banks, and the sides of the bed have been eroded by the recent storms, bringing down field boundary fences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Out on the shingle I saw two oystercatchers, and in the field beyond a curlew is sending out its distinctive churring call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before reaching the road, I have to pass a slightly more mature mansion! How the other half live, eh!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I crossed the river and the bridge, and headed up the bank to another lovely old farmhouse, Newton Hall Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After returning to the road, and crossing the busy Wilmslow Road, quiet returned and I arrived at Lumb Farm, where there was a classic piece of old equipment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the path led back over the River Dean, the rear elevation of Old Hall Farm refurbishment appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here I soon headed back up Old Hall Lane to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great walk, with much to see around each corner. It’s easy to overlook the things that are on your doorstep, and I’d definitely recommend this walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally…..<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s another great song from the Peaky blinders soundtrack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atmosphere by the brilliant Joy Division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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