Tuesday 10 November 2026 - Chester to Mouldsworth (Chester to Altrincham Stage 1)

After the success of my 'Altrincham to Chester in five stages' walks earlier in the year (see here), I was encouraged to design a route back to Altrincham, using a mix of the same paths in reverse, and a new route. Today's outing, stage 1 of the return journey, was mostly a new route and worked out well.

Sue and I met Sue W on the planned train to Chester - the 8:10 from Piccadilly. It was a frosty morning and Paul and Jeanette abandoned their planned bike ride in favour of joining the walk from Chester. But their late decision meant that they would be on the next train, an hour later. So the Sues and I spent a pleasant time over our coffees in the splendid surroundings of the Chester Station Tap Room. We emerged (above) just in time to prevent the latecomers and Rufus from delaying us further, and we set off towards the canal towpath well before 11 am.

Outside Chester station is a memorial to Thomas Brassey (1805 - 1870).  Brassey was responsible for building much of the world's railways in the 19th century. By 1847, he had built about one-third of the railways in Britain, and by time of his death in 1870 he had built one in every twenty miles of railway in the world. This included three-quarters of the lines in France, major lines in many other European countries and in Canada, Australia, South America and India. He also built the structures associated with those railways, including docks, bridges, viaducts, stations, tunnels and drainage works.

There's more from Wikipedia, here.

We were soon on the towpath, heading towards Boughton Water Tower, which at 70 feet high is the main structure of the former Boughton waterworks, built between 1851 and 1853. We also passed the unlikely emblem of a mallard with a dagger.

The Shropshire Union Canal ascends through a series of locks as it nears the water tower, and there's room for two barges at a time.

With the canal looking quite high despite there having been very little rain, these renovated cottages do look as if they may be prone to flooding.

We continued along the towpath for about 3 km before leaving at the bridge shown below and turning into the smart suburb of Christleton. Up to this bridge we had been following the Baker Way, a waymarked trail of 21 km from Chester to Delamere. That route continued along the towpath and we would re-join it later.

Christleton House seems to have escaped the lens of my camera, but judging by its blue plaque it's an interesting place.

I found this picture:



Christleton turns out to be a smart place with period properties, a grand old church and an elderly resident meticulously gardening the borders.

There's a display of 'Best Kept Village', 'Community Pride' and other awards.

Nearby, 'High Walls' has high walls and a gated entrance. Outside, another blue plaque announces that 'High Walls' is a 18th Century farmhouse with a dairy. Apparently it has many fine internal features and was occupied by a Preparatory School from 1945, prior to which children from Liverpool were billeted here during WWll, from which time an Anderson Shelter remains in the grounds.

Birch Heath Lane proved busier than expected, so we took a nice field path to Birch Heath Farm, then walked a few metres along the quiet Stamford Lane to pick up the bridleway and footpath to Cotton Hall.

Sue found a giant parasol mushroom, inedible Lepita aspera.

Whilst signage discouraged walkers from leaving the path, at least the farmers had in the main left pathways around and through the fields of winter greens and other crops.

We made our way to an elevenses spot at SJ 458 659, after which a short climb brought us into view of Cotton Hall.

Field Mustard is one of the crops still in flower here.

A flock of Waxwings flew in to gobble up the plentiful rose hips.

Or was I imagining that, as we passed Cotton Hall, where a 'Save the Family' charity provides temporary accommodation and 24/7 wrap-around support to homeless and at-risk families. Each family is supported by a trauma-informed mentoring team to address complex challenges and equip the families with the skills and resilience to create a positive future.

We were soon on the path to Stamford Mill, where I recall Sue and I enjoyed a walk in March 2025. On that occasion we visited the packhorse bridges that we'd have encountered today had we followed the Baker Way through Tarvin. 

Our path leading to a metal bridge near Stamford Mill passes through an area of marshland - happily dry in this fine weather.

A white horse kindly said hello to Rufus and ushered us past a stile and over a footbridge.

The route taken by Sue and me last year took us WNW from Stamford Mill, crossing a couple of iron girders over deep channels. My plan to avoid these girders by taking an alternative path backfired slightly when we arrived at a stile just before crossing the busy A51 road. The way to the stile was blocked by a curtain of brambles. Sue W and I muscled our way through; the others turned around before realising that this was the only way. This is clearly not a maintained path, though there is a footpath signpost at the stile.

After crossing the busy road we passed The Limes and took the good footpath along the course of the Roman Road towards Tarvin. It was soon time for lunch.

The enclosed footpath around a small chemical plant was deep in leaf litter, as we made our way back to the Baker Way.

Continuing on to Ashton Hayes, I was pleased to discover a bridge over Salters Brook. (That could have been tricky!)

Around here, the verges were full of Scentless Mayweed.

There was also plenty of Conical Brittlestem.

The path now headed through fields of harvested grain crops.

As we made our way towards Mouldsworth, we passed a clever sign reminding us that we had to go to the left of a hedge.

Soon we realised that if we increased our pace and took a short cut we might just make the 15:07 train to Manchester, the next one being two hours later as they don't all stop at Mouldsworth, especially when the rails are forecast to be slippery.

We finished up waiting for ten minutes before catching the 15:07 train which en route to Altrincham was clearly a means to and from school for many teenagers.

Here's a thin blue line showing our route. 16.5 km with 120 metres ascent, taking 4¼ hours.

On the journey home, Rufus was encouraged to find an alternative to being trodden into the carpet by the feet of many children.

Like Father, like Son?

Stage 2, Mouldsworth to Cuddington, will be on Thursday 19 November, and Stage 3, Cuddington to Northwich, has been brought forward from 26 November to Wednesday 25 November.