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.

Sunday Stroll: Boodle Woods

The ground throughout Boodle Woods, in Daisy Nook Country Park, is a carpet of golden leaves at this time of year. This is the footpath that leads from the former canal tunnel towards the site of Riversvale Hall. The River Medlock can be seen on the left, at the bottom of a steep slope.

A little further along this path was the location of this wintry scene that appeared in February.

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Sunday Stroll: Sylvan Steps

Today's photo was taken on a recent stroll around Daisy Nook Country Park, situated between Ashton and Failsworth.

For some reason I had never come across this particular path before, leading from Sammy's Basin down towards the River Medlock. I was enchanted by the quality of the light trickling through the trees in this sylvan setting.

As the steps wind downwards between the trees there seems to be a compulsion to follow then and see where they lead!

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Sunday Stroll: Knott Hill Reservoir (2)

For this week's Sunday Stroll picture we pay a return visit to Knott Hill Reservoir.

Of course, looking at this photo, you may well wonder where the water is! Knott Hill is a reservoir that is no longer in use. Much of the reservoir bed has gone back to nature, with bushes and trees growing, with a much smaller area of water in the lowest part of the reservoir bed. The path you see in the photo runs right around the old reservoir and originally was at the water's edge! The tree-filled valley was originally where the water was!

This is the point where the footpath that starts from Gorsey Lane, Hazelhurst, meets the path around the reservoir. It is a pleasant and popular short walk.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Woodland Wander

Last week's stroll took the footpath from Mossley Cross to Knott Hill Reservoir. We saw a photo of the stile from the golf course into an area of woodland called New Covert.

Today's photo takes you further along that path into the wood, looking back in the direction the stile, which can no longer be seen through the trees. On the left is the stream that flows into Knott Hill Reservoir and then Greenhurst Clough.

In future weeks we shall see photos of the path that runs around Knott Hill Reservoir.

See Google Aerial View of this location.

Sunday Stroll: Over the Stile

When going for a walk in the country you should take care to keep to the public rights of way across private land, just as the landowner has a duty to keep the right of way open and walkable.

On this stroll I was following the footpath from Mossley Cross to Knott Hill Reservoir. Part of the route crosses a corner of Ashton golf club before going over this stile into woodland called New Covert. The path then continues through the woods to meet the path around the old reservoir.

It somehow feels naughty to be walking across the golf course without a set of clubs but, as long as you keep to the line of the path, you are okay. Of course, you have to keep an eye on what the golfers are doing as it would be unwise to walk across in front of someone about to take a shot!

The path into the woods looks very inviting and I will show you what lies ahead another week!
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Sunday Stroll: Riversvale Drive

Riversvale Drive runs off the main Ashton to Oldham road near Bardsley Bridge. It heads towards Daisy Nook along the south side of the River Medlock.

It was originally a carriage drive from the turnpike road to Riversvale Hall, a grand house built in 1847 but demolished after a fire in 1948.

The path and the surrounding strip of woodland are now part of Daisy Nook Country Park and it is a popular route for casual walkers.

See Google Aerial View of this location.
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Sunday Stroll: Boodle Woods in the Snow

Boodle Woods in Daisy Nook Country Park is always an interesting place to go walking, as long as you don't mind the steps that go up or down the steeper parts of the path.

In the snow of a couple of weeks ago, Boodle Woods felt magical. I almost expected Narnia's White Witch to arrive on a sleigh. For most of my walk I had the place to myself and experienced the peculiar stillness and quietness that you get when it snows. Luckily a couple of walkers and their dogs appeared to add a human touch to my otherwise empty photos!

In the Daisy Nook car park, just five minutes walk from this spot, the café was selling bacon butties and hot drinks!

See Google Aerial View of this location.