{"id":1007733,"date":"2023-09-07T16:46:19","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T15:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007733"},"modified":"2023-09-07T16:46:22","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T15:46:22","slug":"billinge-hill-and-rainow-from-bollington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007733","title":{"rendered":"Billinge Hill And Rainow From Bollington"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

So, it’s officially a heatwave. I decided that a short walk would suffice in this heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was already 22 degC when I left home on the short drive to the lay-by next to the former Cheshire Hunt Inn, now the Cheshire Hunt Holiday Cottages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s just a 20 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 4 miles with almost 450 feet of ascent. It took 2 hours 30 minutes, but I really dawdled in the heat. It could easily be done in under 2 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the walk is on tracks and farm drives, but there is some pasture to cross too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in a clockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 368.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lay-by is on Spuley Lane (between Pott Srigley and Bollington) near its junction with Blaze Hill, use postcode SK10 5DE.<\/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

Hedge Row And Billinge Hill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heading up the gentle rise of Hedge Row, past the holiday cottages (no trace of this having been a pub), the tranquil expanse of the Harrop Brook valley opens up to the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This attempt to camouflage a Land Rover is coming along nicely!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The second path off to the right leads uphill and around Billinge Hill. After Winterside Farm, I met some unusual sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before long I reached the road, Blaze Hill, and took a left and right down another long drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rainowlow To Oakenbank Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this point, I was high enough to enjoy the view past Billinge Hill and out across the Cheshire Plain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Just around the corner, White Nancy and the outline of Alderley Edge appeared (see header picture).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where the path splits, I ignored Kiskhill Lane and took the right hand track down towards the cottages at Rainowlow, pictured below with the Saddle of Kerridge rising in the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There were some colourful plants around the cottages at Rainowlow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving at Clarke House, I could have taken Kiskhill Lane down towards Rainow,, but I elected to take the fields up towards Ginclough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These two concrete structures had very faded signs on them, saying “Old Shaft – Keep Out”. I couldn’t see a way in to be honest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It was a beautiful view down to Rainow Village, and Kerridge beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Behind me was the hill known as Big Low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I now took the path to the right down towards what is shown on the map as a reservoir. There is clearly a dam on the western edge. However, the reservoir has not been maintained, and the water can’t be seen for the extensive reedbed, bushes and trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On meeting Kiskhill Lane for the third time, I took a left, then right, onto the ancient track, Oakenbank Lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Delayed By Blackberries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both sides of the lane had overgrown verges, and the blackberry crop was amazing. So, I stopped and picked a bagful, about a pound and a quarter! They’ll go well with some apples in a crumble, later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After crossing High Cliff, I turned left, and was now heading straight towards White Nancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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River Dean, Ingersley Clough Mill And Sowcar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I briefly joined the Gritstone Trail and made my way down to, and across, the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The track leads past the derelict mill. An information board says that there has been planning permission for a housing development here since 2010. It’s clearly not an easy site!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the mill, I continued to meet some cottages on the right. The path in front of the cottages, heads to Sowcar, where there is a n active smallholding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It has a lovely mosaic tile depiction of White Nancy above it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was almost back now, but as my path met the road, I found that the corner cottages had been converted to a pub, The Poachers Inn. Well, it would be rude not to…. on such a hot day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was a perfect walk for a hot day. I took it really slowly, still got high enough for good views, and ended up in a pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s not to like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blur have a new album out, The Ballad of Darren. It’s a bit different. This track is “Barbaric”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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