Best walk from Ashley

Ashley Station to Hale Station

A short walk from rural Ashley station, in Cheshire, across to Hale on the edge of Greater Manchester. Leaving Ashley, the route passes St Elizabeth's Church and turns onto a lane signed for Ashley Hall, a listed building with parts dating to the 16th century. Continuing over the M56, it passes the extensive former Ashley Farm complex; on a clear day the Pennine hills are visible to the east and the wooded escarpment of Bowdon lies ahead. Turning into Ashley Mill Lane the path passes Coppice Barn, a fine oak cruck-frame building of the 16th century. Where the lane ends at Ashley Mill House, a steep cobbled path drops to a footbridge over the River Bollin near the site of the long-vanished Ashley Mill, swept away in a flood. A wide path follows the Bollin upstream before rising on steps to Grange Road, then crosses fields past Bowdon Church School to Marlborough Road. The route ends at the traffic lights, turning into Ashley Road with its sandstone Millennium Clock, and back to Hale station and its level crossing. The walk is mostly on well-drained paths with no stiles or kissing gates, though boots are recommended.

5km. 1h30.

Highlights: Ashley Hall (A listed country house with surviving parts dating back to the 16th century, set within a former farm complex) and the River Bollin (A Cheshire river whose wooded valley the path follows between Ashley and Hale).

Lunch: The Greyhound pub in Ashley, or the many cafes and restaurants in Hale.

Documented by Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership.