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.

Thursday 26 December 2024 - Appleton

Our regular Christmas walk took place on Boxing Day, following a familiar 10 km route, starting at Hillside Road, by Owens Corner, Pewterspear.

Sue and I were joined by Richard, Jenny and Bridget for a slow-paced stroll due to me having to take care not to aggravate my knee problem. I was planning to 'retire' to the London Bridge Inn after reaching the 5km point where we squeezed onto a bench for elevenses. 

But the knee wasn't getting worse, in fact the careful walk seems to have benefited it. I was able to continue after some passers-by had kindly recorded the occasion for us.

It was a misty day, so few pictures were taken as we passed through The Dingle, Lumb Brook Valley, and Fords Rough.

Sue was quite happy with the slow pace, as she could examine fungi and catch up easily if she could see where we'd gone.

Turkey Tail fungus

Turkey Tail fungus

Ceramic fungus

Turkey Tail fungus

Oak Bracket fungus

Sheathed Woodtuft fungus

Leafy Brain fungus

The double-faced sculpture of Janus at Owens Corner marked the end of this 10km stroll, after which we returned home for lunch.

Here's the route, it took us a little over 2 hours plus our half hour elevenses break. We've been here before on numerous occasions.

A walks/rides programme for the start of 2025 will soon be planned, and will be appended here, as well as on our topwalks.com website.

Monday 6 May 2024 - Around Appleton

On a lovely sunny Bank Holiday morning, we decided on a local but scenic outing. It takes about 25 minutes to reach Hillside, near Warrington, via junction 10 of the M56, very quiet today.

Beyond Hillside Farm, near where the above picture was taken, our path skirted meadows near Bellfield Farm. We passed through a buttercup zone, encountering many dog walkers.

Instead of our usual route past Bellfield Farm and the site that marks the place that Cromwell's horse is supposed to have been killed, we took a left turn towards the canal, reaching it a little sooner than usual.

The local mallards were struggling to keep tabs on their innocent newborns.

The next picture was taken to showcase the wonderful colours of the tree, but to the right of the barge you can see the steps where passengers used to wait to catch the boat from here (London Bridge) to Manchester, some time before cars, let alone the current motorway network.

After coffee on a bench around our half way point, we strolled north towards the Dingle, Lumb Brook Valley, and Ford's Rough, through an extended belt of deciduous bluebell woodland that today sported a variety of plants and fungi, some of which are pictured here, with many others retaining their privacy.

Common Stump Brittlestem

Bluebells

Children were playing happily, swinging high above the path in Lumb Brook Valley.

Common Gilled Mushroom

Dryad's Saddle

Red Campion

Spanish Bluebell

Brittle Cinder

Our walk passed lots of dandelion heads, pristine on the windless day, finishing along the shady path at Pewterspear.

Jelly Ear

Our route is shown below - one of many good walks around here. It's exactly 10km, with only 80 or so metres of ascent. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

What a lovely way to spend a Bank Holiday morning close to home.