Rambles With My Camera: Frodsham to Barnsbridge Gates, Delamere and back again!!

START/FINISH: Frodsham Beacons Car Park Grid Ref: SJ51878 76565 Postcode: WA6 6HG
DISTANCE: 12.5 Miles
MAP: OS Explorer 267 Northwich and Delamere Forest

Today we returned to the Sandstone Trail retracing part of the last walk and exploring further down the trail through Delamere Forest to Barnsbridge Gates. Starting again at the Frodsham Beacons car park this time we joined the trail via the footpath opposite the car park on Simons Lane. This path cut's across the golf course and joins the trail at the junction heading towards Dunsdale Hollow and the rock steps.

Once the steps have been ascended the trail runs along the side of the golf course and continues along heavily wooded paths and into Snidley Moor Wood. Turning left up the steps into Ridgeway woods we crossed a small brook and followed the field edges to Commonside. From Commonside a kissing gate leads to more farmers fields and the track meanders below Alvanley Cliff to the road at Yarangall Green. Crossing the road we entered more fields which eventually brought us out at Manley Road. Another kissing gate and field brought us to Stone House Farm cafe just before Manley Common. I say a cafe although there was no actual cafe to speak of. Stone House Farm is a bed and breakfast but the 'cafe' part is simply tables and chairs in the grounds. The back door is where you place your order and there is a bell to alert the owner if no one is there!! We ordered some tea with home made scones and strawberry jam and I have to say they where the best scones I've had in a long while - man size scones with portions of real butter and home made jam in little dishes and a pot of sugar - none of the little plastic tubs and sachets that seem to proliferate these days!! The cafe is well worth a visit and the owner is very friendly - cheerful service with a smile!!(SJ 51715 71995).

After being suitably refreshed we continued along the road turning right onto the trail through Manley Common which in turn leads into the Delamere Forest Park. The last time I was in Delamere Forest was as a child some thirty or so years back and if I'm honest I was disappointed. Everything seemed so small and nowhere near as awe inspiring as it is when you are 6!!!!!! We continued through the forest until we reached Ashton Road and Barnsbridge Gates car park where we found the small picnic area and had lunch.

After lunch it was time to head back and we proceeded to make our way back up the track retracing our footsteps back to the car park at Frodsham. The previously empty fields below Alvanley Cliff were filled with cows on our return with one particularly vocal individual that objected to our presence in it's field. It wasn't backwards in coming forwards and it's the first time I've ever noticed just how big cows hooves are!! I think it's fair to say that we developed a slightly more spritely approach to clearing this field followed closely by the cow who at this point was in 'semi' hot pursuit!! Amanda asked what we would do if it decided to catch up to which I replied that everything would be OK as I could run faster than she could - I wouldn't let the kids forget her - funnily enough this didn't seem to go down to well I still can't imagine why. We escaped intact without any help from our anti-social bovine friend.

Although the walk was enjoyable the scenery is a bit lacking along this part of the trail. Ordinarily I would probably not return to this section again but as I type I hear those home made scones calling my name!! We shall return if only for the scones and jam!!