Walk Leader: Andrea Foster

Number on the walk: 9

Distance: 13 miles

Weather: Dry and bright to start getting wet later

Parking at Irlam Leisure Centre we set off through Prince’s Park following the path alongside the original old river Irlwell. We paused at the Boat House Inn to look at the Heritage information board and made our way back along the other side of the river which continued to Irlam Linear Park. This emerges onto Liverpool Road opposite Irlam Station Park: a charming mix of hobbit houses and garden sculptures. We enjoyed a morning coffee break in the Victorian style Railway Station House Café and took in the many Heritage information boards at the station regards the industries that existed in this area in its heyday.

Then heading in the opposite direction along Liverpool road we followed a public footpath to New Moss Wood. Continuing up Moss Road and turning into Woolden Road, we picked up the Glazebrook trail over a footbridge over the M62 and through two adjoining fields with horses in them. Our lunch stop was a clear view towards Rivington Pike. Mid-afternoon, we were just beginning to feel smug about not being rained on, when a black cloud appeared and drowned us.

Undeterred and armed with waterproofs we made our way to Little Woolden Moss and out onto Twelve Yards Road where we passed a quirky house with an eclectic mix of statues and oddments in the garden and many old cars. We continued along Twelve Yards Road and turned off to make our way back over the M62 via a footbridge and grassland public paths emerging onto Victoria Road and back to Liverpool Road opposite the Leisure Center. An easy flat walk with plenty of interest along the way via the many information boards at the Train Station and the Nature Reserves.  Thank you to Kate for being the photographer for the day and to all those who attended. A very enjoyable day.