{"id":1007148,"date":"2023-03-30T16:51:21","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T15:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007148"},"modified":"2023-03-30T19:27:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T18:27:42","slug":"the-stockport-tameside-border-werneth-low-and-the-river-tame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007148","title":{"rendered":"The Stockport \/ Tameside Border -Werneth Low And The River Tame"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

Today promised to be a wet day, so I decided not to venture too far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It turned out dull with rain falling for two thirds of the walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drive to Bredbury is just 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an 8 mile walk, on the suburban edge of the Manchester conurbation. It took 3 hours 45 minutes, plus a 15 minute lunch break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few road sections, but much of the walk is on tracks, and today was very muddy, so quite mixed for dog walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked on Castle Hill Road, in a pull-in by a car park. Later, I found there was a lay-by on the main road opposite the Sewage Works, which would be a better place to park, postcode M34 6ET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 277.<\/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

Castle Hill To Woodley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bredbury Industrial Estate doesn’t generally spring to mind as the starting point for a country walk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, opposite my parking place was a stile into a paddock. I then crossed the main road and set off across the fields, adjacent to the Robinsons Brewery site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are pleasant fields, and a pretty pond too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I made my way down to the River Tame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After passing by, but not crossing, the green bridge, I spotted a pair of goosanders trying to make a fast exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leaving the river, I passed the manicured grounds of the Riverside Kennels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I climbed the steps to reach the Peak Forest Canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crossing the bridge, I went up a field next to a disused and abandoned mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the railway line, I had to take to the suburban roads for a little while. I passed a class of children, being taught how to use a police handheld mobile speed camera!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodley To Werneth Low<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Trans Pennine trail heads directly uphill to the beautifully northern “Back-o’-th’-Hill, from where there are magnificent views over the gorse to Manchester city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the climb, I reached a road and turned right, down to a farmhouse and turned left into the yard. The views to the southeast are equally impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here, it’s steeply downhill to meet the track that runs alongside the top of Romiley Golf Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are several pretty cottages along this track, and some ancient farm buildings as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coming to a road, I turned left up a steep incline to Werneth Low. I was surprised to see a trig point in a field at the top of the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A short distance along is a “village green”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Werneth Low To The River Tame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was straight downhill from here, after one last scan of the views, with the weather closing in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the bottom of the steep hill, the route enters a broad track, leading to a field. However, the inconsiderate owners have taken to using the track as a feeding station for their horses. The weather has turned this track into 4inches deep manure\/mud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I decided to go for it! It’s not recommended though, as beyond the field the path down a wooded valley was equally muddy. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I emerged onto the A560, and now had a lengthy road section in heavy rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time I reached a disused rail line come urban path, I was glad to shelter below a bridge and watch the rain for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Moving on, I was soon back at the Peak Forest Canal where another bridge provided shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I dropped down to the swollen river. The paths back, along the riverbank are delightful. There was even a glimpse of sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Haughton Dale, there are a row of (seemingly) seaside cottages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the final stretch, I was treated to a dipper, for whom the river was surely too fast and full to dive and feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But no, it suddenly dived off the branch into the torrent of the river. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the bird again, though I’m sure it knew what it was doing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back at the car, I was pleased my clothing had again stood up to the weather, and reflected that it was still an excellent local walk in fine suburban countryside (if that’s not a contradiction!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andy Fairweather Low starred on Jools Holland’s New Year Hootenanny 3 months ago. This is from his new album, Flang Dang. It’s called Got Me A Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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