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!!

Looking out from the Sandstone Trail in Frodsham

Looking back from the fields under Alvanley Cliff

Picnic area in Delamere Forest

A lovely old house between Alvanley Cliff and Delamere the house appeared to be part way through restoration

What a lovely place to live complete with ponies in the field!!

Amanda made a new friend just before we crossed the golf course again heading back to the car

Frodsham Sandstone Trail Circular

START/FINISH:   Frodsham Beacons Car Park   Grid Ref:  SJ51878 76565  Postcode:  WA6 6HG
DISTANCE:         4.9 Miles
MAP:                    OS Explorer 267 Northwich and Delamere Forest

ELEVATION PROFILE

This was our second walk a Frodsham circular taking in part of the Delamere Way and Sandstone Trail.  The forecast was for rain but arriving at the Beacons car park in Frodsham it was quite warm and sunny.  The wind was starting to pick up but to be honest we didn't mind as the wind was cooling - it's never a nice experience walking when it's too warm!!

Turning left out of the car park onto Simons Lane we walked down the lane a few hundred metres then turned left onto the track at Overhill Cottage which leads through the grounds of the Heathercliffe Hotel and onto the Delamere Way before coming out again onto Manley Road.  A short walk up Manley Road led us to the gates of War Memorial Field which, you guessed it, leads to the War Memorial and joins the Sandstone Trail.

Looking out from the War Memorial at Overton Hill towards the Mersey Esturary

The trail meanders through woodland with rocky outcrops following the edge of the steep sandstone cliffs.  A lot of the sandstone bears the names of workers past intricately chiseled into it - a sort of old school graffiti if you will.  Although quite enclosed with the canopy of trees you occasionally come to a clearing with good views of the surrounding landscape and when those views aren't available there are plenty of weird and wonderfully shaped trees to admire.

In time the track leads to a waymarked junction.  We turned right and continued along the trail signposted Delamere Forest and down the steps known as Bakers Dozen into Dunsdale Hollow.  The steps were created to provide a safer alternative to Jacob's Ladder the original route down into the hollow.

Jacob's Ladder

From Dunsdale Hollow a short hill leads to steps cut into the sandstone which double back on themselves and  lead on to the continuation of the trail.

The Rock Steps

At the next junction is another clearing and a thoughtfully placed bench for those who may wish to rest and take in the view.  Turning left up the hill adjacent leads to another junction that took us into Snidley Moor Wood home to the woods oldest tree a Silver Birch said to be over 100 years old.  Inside the tree is a notebook and pens for visitors to write comments some of which are posted on their website.

A few hundred yards further down we turned left off the trail, through a kissing gate, onto a track verging farmland for the return leg of our walk (Grid Ref:  SJ51083 74831).  The path leads into a small wooded area where we found a suitably sized log to sit and have lunch.

After lunch we continued along the short path and through a kissing gate leading to a very steep climb into fields.  The field led to another kissing gate and we crossed Riley Bank and followed the road around to the left and left again onto the first of two successive restricted byways both of which were sandy tracks.  The second byway led back onto Manley road and a short distance up the road another kissing gate and field which was the last leg of our trip (Grid Ref: SJ51970 75542).

Crossing a farm track at the far end of the field and walking through the golf course - watching for stray golf balls of course!! - brought us back onto Simons lane and a short walk back to the car park.  It started to rain just as we got back to the car park - perfect timing!!

The Sandstone Trail is extremely easy to navigate with excellent way marking along the way and at every turn and junction.  There are some steep, in excess of 1:10, inclines to test the legs along the way although these are minimal and overall this is an easy circular walk.