{"id":1005831,"date":"2022-07-07T20:20:53","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T19:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1005831"},"modified":"2022-11-04T14:54:10","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T14:54:10","slug":"great-budworth-park-moss-wood-nature-reserve-and-antrobus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1005831","title":{"rendered":"Great Budworth, Park Moss Wood Nature Reserve and Antrobus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

This summer’s weather so far has been decidedly average in northwest England – not too wet, but not too warm either! This morning was cloudy, 17 degC, and typical of the season. However, it did warm up by lunchtime, and a lovely, warm afternoon followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I fancied a flat walk today, not too strenuous, with a golfing day planned for tomorrow. So I chose the mid-Cheshire countryside, an area I know well from my 12 years working at Weaver Vale Housing Trust. Yet, none of these paths and minor roads were familiar to me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s just a half hour’s drive to Great Budworth from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk is about 8.5 miles, though shorter if I’d not elected to walk around Park Moss Nature Reserve. It took 3.5 hours to complete, plus 15 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is lots of farmland, much of which is arable, but also a couple of fields of cattle, plus some very minor road walking so probably not ideal for dogs who need to run off the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 267.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked on the roadside in Great Budworth. It probably can be busy at the weekend. Use the George & Dragon’s postcode, CW9 6HF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Great Budworth To Park Moss Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Westage Lane, the route follows the North Cheshire Way northwards,. This is the rich and fertile Cheshire Plain, good farming country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s easy walking on the concrete track from Hilltop Farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eventually I found relief from from the monotony of the concrete track at a small copse and stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And it’s not just cattle that are kept in these fields. Horses are big business too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Soon, I reached Arley Hall and Home Farm, which I, like many, recall visiting with my family when children were young.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The roadside verges were attractive with summer flowers, as I progressed along Arley Road. I believe this to be rosebay willowherb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Park Moss Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Owned by the Woodland Trust, this is a delightful place. I spent 45 minutes exploring along the circular path, enjoying plants, insects (butterflies and damselflies), and birds (blackbirds, robins, great tits, song thrushes, chiffchaffs and blackcaps).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Park Moss Wood To Antrobus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The rea is dotted with impressive, isolated houses, or tiny hamlets, often hidden behind trees and\/or ponds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The farming themes continued here. I think this is barley, and it’s delightful to run your hand through the fine bristles as the path cuts through the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The paths jump across fields, connecting the minor roads, and there is an occasional leafy farm track too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is something of a trend for alpaca farming in the area too. This farm specialises in them, with a few goats too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Antrobus To Deakin Yard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Deakin Yard is just south of Antrobus, and is now thickly overgrown. It is a fox covert (small wood) planted around marl pits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Deakin Yard To Great Budworth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I also came across an amazing field of daisies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And this stylish weather vane!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the edge of the Belmont Hall estate, now home to posh Cransley School, is this house with a fine chimney, and its date of construction built into the gable brickwork. It’s not easy to see, a bit like one of those colour blindness tests!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The unmistakeable landmark of Great Budworth Parish Church came into view as I headed across the last couple of fields . Though I had to negotiate my way past some more cows before I got there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a fine building, and huge for the size of village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The sun was blazing now, so just time to pop into the George and Dragon for a quick pint!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was a really enjoyable, easy summer walk, Park Moss Wood being a real highlight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally…..<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I do like a bit of reggae. This is the title track from a new album, Happy Hour by Hollie Cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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