Tuesday 1 July 2025 - GM Ringway Trail Stage 7 - Marple to Broadbottom

Shown above is the high point of Stage 7 of the GM Ringway Trail, the Cenotaph in Werneth Low Country Park. On a warm, overcast day Sue and I were joined by Rick, Steve, Paul and Rufus. Jeanette and Viv are nursing injuries, and Roger was in Bridlington. They will all try to catch up.

We started with the same train as the one we used for Stage 6 - the 10:18 from Piccadilly on the New Mills line. As usual, the train was precisely on time, and this time we disembarked at Marple.

An overgrown path soon took us past the tennis courts and through a wood, to reach the Peak Forest Canal towpath alongside the Marple Lock Flight.

At the bottom of the Flight a bridge is crossed to reach the Marple Aqueduct, a magnificent structure dating from 1794.

Looking down from the aqueduct to the River Goyt

We descended to go under the aqueduct and its neighbouring railway viaduct.

A steep walk through a field to Watermeetings Lane brought us good views back to the huge arches above which trains and canal boats operate.

The usually muddy path through a farmyard was bone dry as we crossed more fields to reach a woodland path beside the River Etherow, shortly before that river joins the River Goyt.

After passing new housing and a row of dilapidated terraced properties we arrived at Etherow Country Park where the coffees and large portions of cake went down well. (Steve doesn't do cafes.)

We then took a path anticlockwise around the lake, managing to avoid being mugged by the Canada Geese. Some elderly gentlemen were engaged in a radio controlled yacht race at the nearby Sailing Club.

The path runs alongside the sad remains of Compstall Mill. Built about 200 years ago, the mill was powered by water from the River Etherow and at its height it employed around 800 workers, many of whom lived in the custom built terraced houses in Compstall.

I first came across the mill in the 1980s, by which time it had been divided into industrial units of varying sizes. I was involved in one that restored pinball machines.

Since then it looks as if the mill has not flourished, and it was gutted by fire in 2024. I don't know what happens next.

On the other hand, Etherow Country Park does appeat to be flourishing. We walked alongside the lake, past water lilies, Canada geese, Mallards, and young Mandarin ducks, as far as the impressive weir that was involved in powering the mill.

Up to now, I had no need to refer to the step by step guidance notes, as this is a path walked many times from the time in the 1980's when my children were taken on walks to Marple and to Styal, amongst other locations, one in a pushchair, the other in a papoose. So I know the paths up to step 47 out of 152 steps for this particular route.

At the furthest point along the Country Park we reached a spot behind a brick building that offers 'a lovely view over the water'.

Returning to the vicinity of the cafe, we left the country park and passed some houses that, in contrast to those beside the main road, have been modernised into attractive bijou residences.

From here, the route  ascended relentlessly past the Andrew Arms and along lanes and footpaths, some overgrown with nettles, brambles, and wild raspberries, up to Werneth Low Golf Club.

Views into the Peak District were limited on this muggy, gloomy day.

The route followed a path through the cobbles at smart Beacom Farm.

That's Bleaklow in the distance, Kinder Scout having disappeared for good. Winter Hill was visible in another direction.

                                                 

 

Today was not the best for flower pictures for several reasons, but I did spot this clump of St. John's Wort.

There are lots of waymarked footpaths in Greater Manchester and Cheshire. We followed the GM Ringway ones across the golf club, where we found a suitable spot for lunch.

We briefly looked around for a GM Ringway path marker by a red telephone box. Then as well as a marker we found this signpost.

On reaching the Werneth Low Cenotaph, we admired the view down to Mottram and elsewhere.

Then the path undulated for a while before taking a left turn alongside a grassy field to enter a surprisingly dark wood.

Good paths led us all the way to Hodgefold, where our friend Dave has a house. Sue and Dave and I used to take turns cooking for each other once a week back in the 1990's, rotating between our houses and keeping to a rule that it must be a dish that we've never cooked before. Whilst time has moved on, Sue and I both have fond memories of those culinary sessions.

Soon after Hodgefold we passed the Hodge Lane Dye Vats. A plaque announces that they were opened in 1805, closed in 1916, and re-opened in 1987. Since when they have obviously closed again.

Turning left up a path to the left of some houses, our final ascent of the day brought us to Broadbottom station, where we didn't have to wait long for a 4 pm train on the Glossop line back to Piccadilly.

Here's today's excellent route - 15km, with nearly 400 metres ascent, taking us four and a half hours.

Here's the plan for Stage 8:
Thursday 10 July

GM Ringway Trail - Stage 8 - Broadbottom Station to Greenfield. Meet at 10:24 at Broadbottom Station for this eighth 19km stage of the 20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester.
Arrive on the 10:03 from Piccadilly to Broadbottom.
Return by regular (every 30 minutes) service from Greenfield.