We usually meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 9:30am by the village hall. Walks are not long or strenuous; 5 or 6 miles on average, each with a different leader. Come along to see the countryside in all its moods, sometimes bathed in sunshine, often with a shower or two, even perhaps with a carpet of snow!
Our walkers might pass stone-age remains, badger setts and tracks, and fascinating old farmhouses and cottages. They will certainly enjoy sweeping views over the Cheshire plain, Peak District panoramas of hills and dales, and gentler scenery by canals and parkland in Lyme, Alderley and Ladybrook.
You are guaranteed a friendly welcome when you join us.
Do come!
Group Leader David Burke
walking@highlaneu3a.org.uk
2024 Walks
U3A Walk Wednesday 31 st January 2024
Woodley / River Tame Valley / Haughton Dale Country Park / Peak Forest Canal.
Our January 6-mile walk attracted 25 members to explore this often forgotten region which was a former industrial powerhouse and has now been reclaimed by the natural world. In Haughton Dale Nature Reserve we enjoyed ancient woodland trails, scenic meadows and riverside paths along the River Tame. We stopped for coffee at Gibraltar Bridge which provided a convenient seat and two of our group, Merlyn and Louanne, were lucky enough to spot a Kingfisher.
We finally left the River Tame on the North side of Hyde to follow the Peak Forest Canal on the home leg of our walk. The canal basin in Hyde gave a glimpse of past industrial achievement and quality construction - the transhipment warehouses still look remarkably solid and fit for purpose as they would have done 200 years ago.
Many in our group had not visited this area before and were pleasantly surprised by the attractive natural area, albeit surrounded by dense populated development but fortunately unseen when in the valley. A fascinating walk on a fine bright day on the last day in January, hopefully our luck will hold for future walks packed with mystery, suspense and adventure!
David Burke
U3A walk Wednesday 28th February 2024
Spud Wood, Lymm village, Lymm Dam,Trans Pennine Trail and Bridgewater Canal.
Fifteen of us met in the car park at Spud Wood, near Lymm, complete with waterproofs and brollies. Surprisingly, the weather men had got it wrong, as, apart from one short mild rain shower, it remained dry throughout most of the walk.
Spud Wood, is managed by the Woodland Trust, who acquired the land a few years ago and planted the trees. It used to be potato field, hence its name.
After a walk around and through the wood, we found an ancient footpath that led us into Lymm village, which still has it's old stocks and a Village Cross with seating around it. It was a lovely place to enjoy our coffee break.
Lymm has a stream flowing through the village, so we followed it until we eventually crossed the A56 over Lymm Dam. The Dam was built in 1824 specifically to allow the A56 to pass through Lymm. The side effect of the dam was the creation of a lake. We were able to follow the paths around the lake, stopping at one point to eat our packed lunches, before returning to walk back through Lymm village.
We then picked up the bridleway along a disused railway line that was part of the Trans Pennine Trail, and continued along it until we reached the site of a disused railway station and the old station master's house. A few yards down a road to a good path across a large field to reach the Bridgewater canal tow-path which took us back to the Spud Wood car park.
An enjoyable walk with better than expected weather.
Jeff Mortimer
U3A walk round Peover Superior 27/03/2024
Some of us met at High Lane Village Hall car park at 09:30, whilst
others went directly to the designated start point near Peover Superior
school and cricket ground.
In total, 21 people were on the walk, which had an estimated distance of
7.6 km.
Peover (/ˈpiːvər/ PEE-vər) is a largely flat rural area in Cheshire with
narrow incised gullies along streams.
It takes its name from the main brook called Peover Eye, which is formed
from several springs and field drainage and runs west into the Wincham
Brook a short distance northeast of Lostock Gralam.
It is mentioned in the Domesday Book as "Pevre",[3] from a Celtic word
meaning "the bright one" and it is thought that “Eye” comes from the
Saxon word for a brook
To start our walk we headed towards Peover Hall which is a Grade II
listed Elizabethan country house built in 1585 and which is still in use
today as a family home.
The day started overcast but without any rainfall, although it had
rained hard overnight and the ground was wet.
Due to flooding on the road near the entrance to the Hall driveway, we
had to divert and take an alternate path via the Village Hall.
This gave us the benefit of a much better view of Peover Cottage and a
good panorama of the Hall and stables as we approached.
Peover Hall was built by Sir Randle Mainwaring in 1585, with a new wing
being added by the fourth baronet Sir Henry in the 1760s before the
Peels bought the hall and estate in 1919. The Brooks family acquired the
property some 20 years later, and the family continue to live in the
Hall today.
During World War II the house was requisitioned as the HQ for General
George Patton of the United States 3rd Army to train for the D-Day
landings in 1944. It also housed a POW camp.
As we neared the Hall, the rain started, so we only had time for a quick
look at part of the gardens and the Grade 1 listed Carolean stables
which were built in 1654 as a gift from Ellen Mainwaring to her son
Thomas, who became baronet in 1660. On its roof is a cupola with a clock
face. The coach house is listed at Grade II. Also listed at Grade II are
ashlar gatepiers and wrought iron gates which came from Alderley Park.
Luckily, we had arranged to take a look inside the nearby Grade I listed
St Lawrence Church, so we were able to be educated and sheltered at the
same time!
The volunteer church warden who showed us round provided us with a most
educational and entertaining (and dry!) visit.
St Lawrence Church is the parish church of Over Peover and was built in
three stages which started in 1456 when the South Chapel was built. This
was followed by the building of both the North Chapel and the Tower in
1648 and 1741 respectively. The Nave of the church was finished in 1811.
During his stay at Peover Hall, General Patton used to visit the church
to pray, and so on his departure, he presented the American flag which
is now displayed.
There is an interesting story concerning the building of the South
Chapel. When Sir Randle Mainwaring died, his wife, Margery, honoured his
wish to be buried in the churchyard. Afterwards, however, she erected
the chapel and tomb over him, where they have lain together since her death.
The South Chapel is a Chantry Chapel where the priest said daily prayers
for the souls of the departed. Spaced between two pointed windows is a
fine, canopied tomb, the reason for building the chapel originally. The
ancient stained glass window in the South Chapel portraying Thomas
Becket, the famous saint, is a rarity, one of only two in England to
survive destruction on the orders of Henry VIII.
The North Chapel is a mortuary chapel, never used for services. It was
built in 1648 by the widow of the then Lord. She installed a marble
monument with life-size effigies of them both. The Lord’s actual armour
hangs on the wall. Their coat of arms can be seen in an
elaborately-carved timber ceiling and the semi-circular windows depict
their family crests. The other monuments in this chapel were moved there
when the main body of the church was demolished and are equally interesting.
The North Chapel displays a Cromwellian helmet and breastplate. Lady
Ellen Mainwaring is known to have assisted Cromwell’s cause and legend
has it that Cromwell’s troops were frequently billeted in the church.
All the more surprising, therefore, that the glass in the South Chapel
has survived.
A more recent feature of interest is the William Morris Window, this is
a memorial window (dated 1936) in the north-west corner of the nave,
portraying the charitable activities of a much-regarded parishioner.
By the time we were ready to leave St Lawrence church and continue our
walk, the rain had stopped.
We continued through the gardens of the Hall and out onto the open
fields once more, heading away from the Hall, along the main driveway.
We then passed by the Barclays Technology Centre (Radbrook Hall), and
what appeared to be a huge new hydroponic tomato growing facility.
By 13:20, we had returned to our cars, at which point those who had
brought a packed lunch were able to avail themselves of the seating in
the park, whilst the rest adjourned to the Dog Inn at Peover Heath for
pub lunch.
Rick Hedley
U3A group walk 24Apr24: Grindleford / Bole Hill / Surprise / Padley Gorge
Eight intrepid walkers arrived at the start of this walk, keen to stretch their legs in this beautiful part of the Peak District. Fortuitously, the weather provided us with a dry if somewhat cool day, making ideal walking conditions.
Starting from Grindleford Station, the route took us past or through a number of historic sites.
Firstly, Totley Tunnel. The Hope Valley Line connecting Sheffield and Manchester, was one of the last main lines built by the Midland Railway, and involved two major tunnels - Totley at the east end and Cowburn at the west end of the Hope Valley.
Totley tunnel is 3.5 miles long, and when completed in 1893, was the second-longest railway tunnel in the UK.
Work began in 1888, but the route crossed land owned by the Duke of Rutland; he decreed that no more than one ventilation shaft should be sunk through his land and that work should cease from August to October, during the grouse shooting season!
During construction some 166t of gelignite were used. The headings finally meet in 1892 and passenger services commenced in 1894.
Then on to Padley Mill. Originally established in the medieval period, Padley Mill played a vital role in the local economy as a centre for grain milling, the Burbage Brook providing the power. It was later converted to a saw mill, then a wire drawing mill, and is now a private residence.
Further along the road / track we came to the ruins of Padley Hall/Manor, and Padley Chapel.
During his reign, William the Conqueror donated Padley estate to a supporter, who then built the original Norman hall.
Centuries later, it had become a clandestine meeting place for Catholics. In 1588 it was raided and two Catholic priests were discovered hiding within the walls. Two weeks later they were found guilty of high treason and were hanged, drawn and quartered in Derby. Their corpses were displayed on poles on St. Mary's Bridge. They became known as the 'Padley Martyrs'.
Eventually the Hall fell into disrepair and was abandoned. Mostly now just foundations, we were able to walk around these and get some impression of what a grand house this once was.
Padley Chapel is the only complete structure still standing; it was the former gatehouse and was used as a farm building following the closure of the Hall. In 1933 it was converted into a Catholic chapel in honour of the martyrs. A pilgrimage to Padley Chapel began in 1892 in honour of the executed martyrs and it still takes place in July each year from nearby Grindleford Railway Station. There is an aspiration to create a pilgrim walk between Padley and St Mary's Bridge in Derby.
Our next section of the walk was one of the more strenuous. We ascended the 1:3 incline where stone from the Bole Hill quarry was exported to build Howden and Derwent dams further up the Derwent Valley. As trucks loaded with stone were individually lowered, the pulley system raised an empty truck up from the bottom. A photograph was shared of the operation.
At the top of the incline we viewed the remaining stone structure that originally housed the winding wheel. Judging from a photograph this wheel must have been some 10m diameter!
The walk continued through a cutting where dressed stone was brought from the marshalling area to the winding wheel by locomotives; the rails now long gone.
Eventually, we arrived at the quarry face. Operated between 1902 - 1910, the quarry was some 1,200 yards long and produced over 1.25 million tons of stone, the large blocks weighing between 20 to 30 tons each.
At the time, the whole are was covered in railway lines with many cranes and locomotives operating. Now the rails and the plant are gone and the area has returned to nature, peaceful and covered with silver birch trees.
Production at the quarry ceased in December 1910 and after the plant had been removed, Bole Hill closed in September 1914. In 1947 it was gifted to the National Trust.
Exiting the quarry, we walked past scores of discarded millstones. These were produced in volume as early as the 13th century by quarries in this area, but later were displaced by cheaper foreign imports. It appears the remaining stock was discarded and the process abandoned.
Next on the walk was a climb, crossing the A6187 at Surprise and up to the highest point at Over Owler Tor, with superb views over Derwent and Hope Valleys and the hills beyond in one direction, and Higger Tor and Carl Wark hill fort in the other.
Following a welcomed lunch stop under Mother Cap rock, we crossed back over the A6187 and headed down to Padley Gorge, with views of the cascading Burbage Brook.
A brief visit was made to the Powder Store where explosives for the quarry used to be kept, and then to a valve chamber where the huge pipelines from the Derwent reservoirs enter the Burbage Syphon, crossing under Burbage Brook on their way down the Derwent Valley to supply water to Nottingham, Derby and Leicester.
The walk ended back at Grindleford Station where some of the group were refreshed by tea in the cafe!
Peter Wareham
U3A walk 29/5/2024
16 walkers met up at High Lane Village Hall car park for our monthly walk.
Due to recent heavy rain, some of the paths around our intended route
through Marple Wood and over Torkington Brook had deteriorated and
become very muddy, slippery and in some places the wooden steps had
collapsed. So the walk was simplified to avoid these obstacles.
We set off along Windlehurst Road and turned down the footpath via the
Disley Tunnel ventilation haft, then headed past some inquisitive sheep
and the stables to Middlewood Way.
We went along Middlewood Way to the outskirts of Marple where we stopped
for a coffee break.
After our rest, we followed the Cown Edge Way across Marple Golf Course
and on to the Macclesfield canal where we turned south and headed back
to High Lane.
Near the traffic lights at Doodfield we spotted some geese with new
goslings and an animal which at first glance looked like a tiny deer,
but which Ian Hope told us was a Jacob's sheep.
On arrival back at High Lane park those that had bought lunch were able
to sit at the picnic tables to eat; just before it started to drizzle!
Total distance 3.9 miles (6.28 km)
Rick Hedley
U3A Walk report – Wednesday 26th June 2024 Hayfield
Summer weather greeted us for todays easy 5 mile low level walk in Hayfield.
Merlyn and Joyce led the small group of walkers (7) on a historical walk following the railway route alongside the Rivers Sett and Kinder up to the base of Kinder Reservoir dam.
On route we stopped to watch the construction of the Hayfield well dressing tablet being undertaken by 3 ladies. The walk was on good paths and tracks, under cover of trees to shelter from the sun and opened out for us to enjoy wide views of the reservoir, Kinder Scout, Mount Famine, South Head, Lantern Pike, without the need to climb them!
We had a short coffee stop with views of Kinder Scout and the reservoir and brief talk on its construction over 7 years.
Onwards now past Farlands a country retreat used by Sir James Watts whilst the reservoir was constructed. (He was a successful textile merchant, Lord Major of Manchester, owner of Kinder Estate and High Sheriff of Lancashire, owner of Upper House.)
Next we past Booths Farm grade 11 listed dated 1793 and proceeded on a little known firm path to the small hamlet of Hill Houses. The panoramic view of surrounding hills lay before us.
We then joined the River Sett at the bridge and made our way for lunch stop by the riverside before our return journey back to Hayfield via Bowden bridge and Campsite route and a play photo shot in the park!.
Merlyn and Joyce Young.
High Lane U3A Walk Report 31st July 2024 “From Lindow Common “
Merlyn and Joyce Young led the group on ~5 ½ mile walk around Lindow Common, Lindow Moss, Morley Green, Quarry Bank Mill and returned via the River Bollin .
We were greeted by summer sunshine and 25c temperatures and fortunately the walk was mostly under the shade of tree cover on good tracks.
This was the 3rd time the group was taken on this walk dating from October 2010 (14 walkers), February 2017 (17 walkers) , and 19 walkers on todays 2024 walk. Over time the group members and leaders has changed but still the group goes strong with some old and many new keen members .
The walked started through Lindow Common a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and conservation area to “Black Lake.
Merlyn gave a history of the site past and present; a Lowland Wet Heathland rich in flora and fauna now managed under Cheshire East County Council. Sadly cost and man power struggles in this area to control birch tree growth and vegetation which is strangling the heather heathland.
Past days of common land for grazing cattle, peat extraction, model boating. Ice skating on Black lake and a Gypsy racecourse surrounded the area.
Onwards next onto the many paths and turns through Lindow Moss to reach our coffee stop at
Ross Mere lake .Views of the beautiful lake in front and Saltersley Hall/ farm behind us.
We crossed several fields leading to Morley Green and made our way along a busy road to a little known lane into Quarry Bank Mill. On this lane the old farm, barns and buildings owned by National Trust have been extensively rebuilt into luxury expensive dwellings.
A long lunch stop was taken at Quarry Bank Mill , in various surrounding venues, near the river , near the mill, in the garden , in the shade to suit all and then we met up at the mill bridge to continue our walk after a group photo “ and ice cream for some!”
We returned following the River Bollin on good pathways under the shade of trees to (The Carrs) and then up past Wilmslow Ruby club and Kings Road back to our cars.
David thanked Joyce & Merlyn on behalf of the group for an enjoyable and interesting walk.
Merlyn & Joyce Young 31-7-24
Walking Group Report : 28th August 2024 Macclesfield Forrest
Arriving by various scenic routes through the Cheshire countryside, sixteen ( intrepid!) walkers gathered at Trentabank Visitor Centre. Initially we walked on paths that took us between Trentabank, Ridgegate, Bottoms and Teggsnose Reservoirs before we began our ascent into Macclesfield Forest which was once a royal hunting ground. Unfortunately the misty weather obscured some of the far-reaching views over the Cheshire Plain but as we entered the pine forest we became very aware of the silence and pervading atmosphere that surrounded us as we walked on. Descending gradually and then more steeply we took refuge from the few spots of rain in the isolated St Stephen's Forest Chapel. It dates from 1673 and is recorded in the National Heritage List for England – a very beautiful building and well worth a visit.
We then descended steeply on a stony path and into the woods that surround the Visitor Centre before adjourning to the Leather's Smithy Pub for a rushed but very welcome drink.
Shelagh Stokes
Walking Group Report : 25th September '24 Black Rocks, Black Hill & Whaley Moor
On this fairly cloudy but improving late September cool day, 13 walkers led by Ian Hope, enjoyed this circular walk. Having parked on Mudhurst Lane near Rocks Farm we climbed up to the ridge known as Black Rocks, which provided far reaching views westward, tempered somewhat by limited distant visibility.
We then lost some altitude descending to the former Moorside Hotel, sat on a convenient wall and had our mid-morning coffee stop.
Our onward bridlepath towards Whaley Bridge led to The Dipping Stone, providing much group speculation about it's origin. It's location also provided a 360 degree unsurpassed distant view of the whole landscape - well worth a visit.
We then proceeded downhill, stopping at a convenient sheltered spot for a picnic lunch before reaching Yeardsley Hall near Furness Vale, from where we started a steady ascent up Furness Clough to Broadhey Farm - which has benefitted from extensive renovation of the outbuildings into impressive dwellings.
Our next leg over Kiln Knoll provided concerned excitement when a large herd of very curious young heifers and bulls took delight in escorting us, at close quarters, across their field!
We then passed Redmoor Farm, climbed up to cross Buxton Old Road and took field paths back to our cars, thankful that the brightening conditions stayed dry throughout the enjoyable outing.
David Burke