Sunday Stroll: Winterford Woods

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Suddenly Autumn is upon us with a vengeance, and the winds have removed many of the browning leaves from the trees over the last week or so.

You don't have to go far to find colourful autumn scenes, and this delightful stroll was through Winterford Woods, between Micklehurst and Woodend in Mossley. The path runs down from the former Micklehurst Loop railway line to Winterford Lock on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. The water of the canal can be seen through the trees on the right, at the foot of a steep slope.

The name Winterford comes from the old track that crossed the valley long before the canal and turnpike road were built, which found a suitable place to ford the river, even in the winter when other crossings were too boggy. The route of the old track crosses the canal next to the lock and can still be followed up across Manchester Road, although there is a convenient bridge for getting across the river these days!

See Birds Eye View of this location.