Midge Walkers

Walk No.  173

Clayton Brook/ Walton Summit 15-10-23

As the on-set of Autumn moves ever forward, Sunday the 15th was a bright sunny day but started rather chilly. 12 participants assembled in the car park of the Asda store at Clayton Green, along with Molly the dog, ready for the start at 2.00p.m. Passing through a gate at the far corner, we entered a wooded area at the rear of the store and followed a path down to a footbridge. Climbing a stepped route up the other side brought us to a tarmac road where we turned right and soon encountered the elaborate metal gates of Cam Lane Cottage, which conceals a property which is anything but a cottage, nestling in its 3.5 acre grounds and housing 7 reception rooms, 7 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a leisure complex including swimming pool, snooker room and gym etc, etc, etc.

Continuing along its high perimeter wall, the path descended to a point where we turned right and negotiated a large puddle to join a single-track route branching to the left and skirting around a cluster of buildings, some recently refurbished, others still in the process. Taking the drive to the right brought us to the A6 Preston Rd, where we turned left and after a short distance crossed over the M65 motorway. A short distance further, at a roundabout we turned right into Four Oaks Rd leading us into Walton Summit. At the next roundabout, we again turned right along Tramway Lane and proceeded to the first left turn being Kellet Lane.

At a point where the road curves to the left, we crossed into Brindle Rd and commenced to climb an incline to a gate at the top. Branching left we found ourselves along-side a motorway and further progress found us crossing a bridge over the M61. On the opposite side, we turned back following alongside a slip-road from the M61 to the M65, which terminated at a gate where we stopped for our refreshment break.

After the usual team photo, we set off through the adjacent tunnel under the M65, bringing us into another area of Brindle Rd which later merged into Pippin St. At the top of a brow, a fingerpost sign pointed us along a path to the right leading us into Chesham House Farm. Turning right and passing through a gate and a couple of fields, a complex double linked stile was negotiated which led us to another tunnel, this time the M61. This brought us to Clayton Brook Rd and turning left to its junction with Westwood Rd, we branched right, leading us back to the A6 and onward to our starting point.

It had taken us just 2.25 hours to complete the 4.5 miles, in a sunny environment over basically flat ground. We had weaved under and over a couple of local motorways. Having carried out this walk, in February 2020 it was pleasing to note several marked improvements, not least the cleanliness of the yard at Chesham House Farm. I’m sure any of those who were present on that occasion will know exactly how beneficial these were to our leader and particularly his wife.