During our annual club holiday we hold a car walk for remaining members. This entails making your own way to the meeting point at 9:45 am in time for a 10am start.
This year we are fortunate to offer both a “B” and “C” walk; both include refreshment stops.
The walk is open to all club members; whilst normal club rules prevail there is no charge for joining our walk. However, Guests remain welcome provided that they make themselves known to the membership secretary beforehand; preferably by sending an email to cnrc.membership@gmail.com.
“B” Walk – 8 miles – Leader Esther Williams
From the car park we walk uphill to the pit wheel monument overlooking the country park and dedicated to the Staffordshire mine workers who worked the open cast mines up until the 1990s. The route then takes us through the restored landscape and across farmland before turning north along a converted railway line to the Wedgwood Monument on Bignall Hill, the highest point of the walk and a good spot for lunch. John Wedgwood (1750-1839) was a local coal mine owner.
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The return takes us back into the country park, past wetland habitat, a very impressive industrial complex, and Apedale Valley Light Railway. With a bit of luck we may see the preserved industrial narrow gauge railway in action. From here we continue to the Heritage Centre, where there is the option to pause for refreshment before finishing back at the car park.
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“C” Walk – 4 miles – Leader Ruth Beach
The walk planned is only about 4 miles but there is the opportunity to go into the museum and have refreshments in the café. If you liked you could book a trip down the mine but you would have to book this yourself.
The walk would start with a visit up to the highest point, where there are interesting relics of the mining and lovely views over the area. From there we follow the stream to more remnants of mining. The next interest will be the Blue Pools, there is quite a bit to explore round there and then it is back to the Visitor Centre where we can either eat our packed lunches or buy something from the café.
If you like we could stop at the Gresley Arms in Alsager Bank on the way back. The views from the outside sitting area are fantastic.
General Information
Meet in the car park of Apedale Community Country Park (known as Apedale Public Toilets Car Park), off the B5367, High Lane, Newcastle, ST5 6AX (signed ‘Apedale’), NOT the unmarked car park with no facilities (known as the ‘top car park’). The two car parks are a short distance from one another both off the B5367.
Click on the boots to see our recent walks: