Faddiley - Burland - Baddiley - Chorley Loop

The intention of designing this route was to pass as close as possible to Baddiley Reservoir, Baddiley Mere and the smaller water area between the two which the Ordnance Survey Map names as Hell Hole (this was originally part of Baddiley Mere but as decades have passed and the Mere has silted up the two have become separated).

Starting at The Thatch Pub carpark in Faddiley turn right out of the carpark and then left onto the first path which crosses a lane after three fields and then after two more fields passes across the side of a private property before emerging onto a lane via a stile.

Turning left and then right before the main road to pass another field before reaching a farm track which you turn right to follow. As the land starts to drop the path moves to the left of the track before rejoining it to cross a small brook and then moving left again to cross a stile into a field.

At the end of the field is a lane where you turn right and follow to Botterley Hill where you turn left along Blackhurst Farm Road. As you reach Highfield Farm continue along the track/lane to the right and pass Blackhurst farm on your right where the track becomes a footpath. At the field bear left along the fieldline until approaching a line of trees which are in front of the facing fieldline you turn right so that they are on your left. At the bottom of the valley the footpath goes through the gate on your left.

As you pass through the next field and slowly climb back out of the valley you will see Baddiley Mere on your right. After a couple of fields you arrive at a farm driveway and you turn right along it. This brings you to a farm where you turn right onto a lane and pass beside the Grade 1 listed St Michael's Church which is timber framed and dates from 1308.

Continue along the lane until reaching Baddiley Hulse Farm where you turn right and pass through the main farmyard. These buildings have been extended beyond the satellite picture in recent times and waymarkers were lacking in 2016 when we passed through. However you continue all the way to the end of the buildings, pass through the gate and follow the track to the right for a short distance before exiting to the left in order to pick up the original diagonal footpath to a waymarked stile.

Three fields later you arrive at Baddiley Mere (in front of you) and Mere House Farm (to your right). Turn left along the track which runs alongside Baddiley Mere and then the stretch of water known as Hell Hole before arriving at Baddiley Reservoir (which originally supplied fresh water to the town of Nantwich).

Baddiley Reservoir has two Permissive Footpaths. Unfortunately neither of these are through routes and close examination in October 2016 strongly suggested that they have not been usable for some considerable time. The original intention had been to use one of the Permissive paths in this route. If you consider the reservoir as a rectangle then one Permissive path continues along the same trajectory that you have approached the reservoir on (along one side and then straight on to join this route a bit later). The other Permissive Path is on the opposite side of the reservoir and although there is a farmgate into the next field (where the path should be) it is unusable and surrounded by extensive undergrowth. Permissive paths have no legal status and can be closed by the landowner at any time.

Arriving at Baddiley Reservoir continue on the same line alongside it and continue around the reservoir until, as you are on your third side, the path leaves the reservoir to the left. From this point bear slightly left to arrive at the top corner of the field where there is access into the next field* where you bear left again to meet the opposing fieldline just right of the curve that it is on. If you look left at this point you should see the stile of the Permissive Footpath where this route had originally intended to be. *If the access point is no longer available track back along the fieldline to a stile (another path up from the reservoir) cross it and then track back on the other side of the hedge to a stile which brings you to the same point.

Following the fieldline around a wooded pond continue on the same line to avoid some more wooded ponds (keeping them just to your left) until you arrive at track which you turn right to follow. At the end of the field the track continues but we take the stile to the left which follows the track all the way to the next lane, where you turn right.

After a short distance, at Brook House, the next path leaves to the left over two fields to arrive at a road where you turn left and walk up the hill into Chorley. As you arrtive in Chorley turn right and right again up a small lane which leads to Chorley Green and Firtree House Farm. Passing to the right of the farmyard you enter a field and continue - keeping the fieldline at the same distance - to the other end where you cross a small brook into the next field where you aim for a corner on the left of the field and then continue on the same line over the next field until you arrive at a road which you cross on a slight left angle to the next path.

Five fields later you emerge onto a lane where you turn left and then right at the junction. This is the A534 Wrexham Road and after a very short distance you are back at The Thatch pub and your starting point.

Allow up to 4 hours

I use Waypoints to mark junctions and stiles but more importantly in order to precisely follow the route. I have found this invaluable when you are unsure where the path is.
02/10/2016

Baddiley Mere