Monday 27 July 2026 - A Stroll to Dunham Massey

Sue, Jenny, Andy and I set off from Timperley Bridge at 11am and were joined by Paul, Jeanette and Rufus half an hour later at Seamons Bridge. It was a pleasant walk along the Bridgewater Canal towpath, with a wide variety of wild flowers, and ripening blackberries, on this route full of greenery.

A little further on, a pair of swans were minding their two offspring, and a mallard was keeping a close eye on her six, healthy looking, ducklings.

The blue flash of a kingfisher caused a bit of excitement as it was then seen to launch itself from a branch into the canal, emerging with a fish either for itself or its young.

After a while we came to the point where the canal has been closed since 1 January 2025, following a breach caused by heavy rain. The section between Dunham and Agden Bridge is targeted to be reopened by the end of 2026, though a lot of work will be needed to clear vegetation and other debris, as well as making good the breach and installing precautionary hardware to prevent further breaches.

It's amazing how quickly the towpath and its supports have succumbed to the lack of water and maintenance.

The above pictures were taken from the left hand bank, where we assembled on a magnificent bridge that sports a fine view across to the fields of Dunham Massey, as well as disclosing some of the damage on the towpath side.

After passing the C17th corn mill (below) that was converted to a sawmill in 1860, we found our way to some very comfortable seating in the café where we must have spent a good hour or so.

The front of the hall is in a mess at present due to conservation work to the path in front of the house.

From outside the hall, we took the path down Smithy Drive to exit towards Dunham Town.

Soon we were on the field path to the golf course.

We exited from the woodland next to the golf course and made our way via Denzell Gardens and the Devisdale to Altrincham and the easy walk home after I'd relieved Tesco of some ingredients for dinner.

Here's our route - always a pleasure - about 15 km with 100 metres ascent, taking 4 hours plus a lengthy break in the Dunham Massey café.

 

Monday 20 July 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail - Sheffield to Grindleford

On yet another sunny day, five of us assembled outside Sheffield station to commence our walk in six stages to Manchester. Sue, Rick and I had taken a non stopping train from Stockport after starting from Navigation Road at about 9am, whereas Cary had stayed overnight at Hathersage Youth Hostel and Andy had got a bus to Piccadilly and the 8:48 stopping train to Sheffield.

The Steel Cotton Rail Trail  starts from the station ramp and makes its way to Sheaf Street.

We passed some interesting buildings, such as Columbia Place on Suffolk Road, a Grade ll listed building dating from 1836, now converted to apartments.

The start of the walk soon attempts, beyond an Environment Agency building, to follow the course of the River Sheaf as it flows towards Millhouses Park.

Amongst various signs are newish looking stickers advertising the Steel Cotton Rail Trail.

Smart information boards have been provided by the Environment Agency.

Click on the image for a readable version

After various streets and footpaths we passed the Wolf factory on Saxon Road. This manufacturer of safety equipment for mining was established in 1912 and to this day offers a range of safety equipment.

Across the road, a paint and varnish company with a distinctive motif.

After a minor diversion where the route wasn't clear, we found ourselves on Abbeydale Road, then down a footpath beside the river past a large Tesco store.

As we entered Millhouses Park, we passed a tree that was adorned with huge specimens of Dryad's Saddle fungi.

On entering the park, a fish pass has kindly been provided, as well as benches for the likes of our little group that needed an elevenses break.

Next to the river, a large pond with giant swans offered evidence of the first day of the school summer holidays.

The Trail follows Abbeydale Road to Dore & Totley station. Rather than walk down the main road, we chose to venture into Ecclesall Woods on paths that brought us out just opposite the station. Andy took a different route past Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet before joining the rest of us on a convenient lunch bench beside Old Hay Brook.

We passed a meadow full of wild flowers including Ragwort.

Viewed from our lunch spot, this small stone arched bridge is a distinctive feature.

Soon after this, a minor road leads past the Crown Inn and heads up Penny Lane to The Cricket Inn, a popular place today.

Near the Cricket Inn, the railway enters Totley Tunnel for an underground journey of 5.7 km, after which it emerges in Grindleford. Our route went over the moorland beneath which the railway is evident only from a series of stone air shafts.

Our trail was clearly marked as it rose up the hillside and onto a bridleway leading to Totley Moor.

Bell Heather is in bloom up here.

Andy dashed on ahead as the rest of us plodded up the hillside with great views back over the Yorkshire landscape.

A good path led past another air vent, eventually crossing the busy A625 road and entering the Longshaw Estate, now owned by the National Trust. In 1928 environmental campaigner Ethel Haythornthwaite led a fundraising appeal in Sheffield to save the Longshaw Estate from being sold to developers. The campaign's success led to 'The People's Estate' being handed over to the National Trust for safekeeping.

By now, Andy had probably reached Gridleford for a train back to Piccadilly, and Cary had fallen behind as he was planning to get a later train. So that left me, Sue and Rick to stroll together over pleasant ground culminating in a steep descent to Grindleford Station, from where Sue had ordered a taxi to Sheffield, necessary as we discovered our tickets were for a non-stop train to Stockport and the train back to Sheffield allowed us only 6 minutes to get to the Stockport train.

 

The taxi didn't arrive. It had (allegedly) broken down. So we took the train. All was well as far as the edge of Sheffield station, where we waited until a platform came free enough for us to complete the journey, just as our connection pulled out of the station. Coffees and ice creams, and a half hour wait for another train to Stockport and an easy connection to Navigation Road and the walk home, just in time to head to Eagley Jazz Club in Bolton for an evening with the Louisiana Nights band. Cary and Andy had routes via Piccadilly, so took a little longer to get home.

Here's today's route - 19 km with 400 metres ascent, taking us about 5 hours.

 
The next stage of the Steel Cotton Rail Trail will be on Tuesday 11 August, we hope to see some of you there:

The Steel Cotton Rail Trail - Grindleford to Hope - Stage 2 (13.5km). Meet at Piccadilly for the 9:48 train to Grindleford (10:50). Return hourly from Hope, 39 minutes past the hour.