Friday 26 December 2025 - Around Appleton (again)

                                             Setting off near Hillside Farm

Whilst Richard wrestled at home with 'man 'flu', Jenny joined me and Sue for a stroll in the sunshine around Appleton. We've been here on several previous occasions, on which I've reported here, so I think all that is needed for this entry is a comment - "It was a lovely sunny day in equally sunny company" and a few captions.

There were many encounters with friendly dog walkers today, including on this path from Hillside Farm

Bellfield, and the monument to Cromwell's horse, which legend has was buried here

after being killed in a skirmish nearby in 1648

On the path towards Hill Cliffe

We left our usual route, to take a path past Hillside Farm then heading west to Hough's Bridge, past a spring that I've not noticed before

The path to Hough's Bridge, where we crossed over and headed back on the other side of the canal

The Bridgewater Canal - a popular place for mallards; some of them are hybrids

After over 2km, we left the canal and took the road under Lumbbrook Bridge

Several benches have been placed on Lumb Brook Millennium Green; time for a coffee break

The woodland walk through The Dingle passes by a little house before continuing beside Dingle Brook, Ford's Rough and Dipping Brook

The very pleasant woodland path through Pewterspear, beyond this path through The Dingle, leads gently back to Hillside

Here's our route - slightly different from usual as we went down to join the canal beyond Hillside Farm, rather than going up to the cemetery and then down through the Rabbit Run to join the canal at the London Bridge. It's about 10km, with 100 metres ascent, taking a leisurely two and a half hours.

An excellent route for a short walk. Highly recommended.