Exploring canals, bridges and boat lifts near Delamere
EAST Cheshire Ramblers recently combined a walk with a train ride, riding from Northwich to Delamere and then walking back.
The first mile or so along the Delamere Way from the station was on forest tracks.
After leaving the forest we picked up field paths.
Fortunately there had been an overnight frost and the ground had not thawed out sufficiently to cause problems with mud. The descent towards the Weaver Valley was across gently undulating countryside in bright winter sunshine through the pleasant villages of Norley and Onston.
After a short stretch alongside the main railway line, we left the Delamere Way and crossed the railway to reach Acton Bridge village before walking down to the flood plain of the Weaver. We crossed the swing bridge and stopped for lunch by the river side.
The bridge, which is still in working order, was opened in the 1930s and replaced an older stone structure. The route then took us along the river bank to Saltersford Locks close to the village of Barnton. From the locks we walked up to join the bank of the Trent and Mersey Canal at the winding hole between Saltersford and Barnton Tunnels.
The towpath does not go through either tunnel, so we walked over the top of Barnton Tunnel to rejoin the canal and caught a distant first view of the Anderton Boat Lift.
The lift was built to enable boats to move between the canal and the River Weaver; the canal is about 50 feet higher than the river. The lift was renovated early this century after being closed for about 20 years because of corrosion. It is now open for public boat trips and has a café and visitor centre.
The final stage of our 12-mile walk took us from the café through Anderton Nature Reserve and across Carey Park back into Northwich.
For more details of East Cheshire Ramblers’ programme of weekend and midweek walks ranging from four to 15 miles in length, go to ramblerseastcheshire. org.uk.