Nantwich Riverside Loop Walk

This is a circular route which follows the River Weaver through Nantwich, a bridleway (with wide gates to provide disabled access) to the Shropshire Union Canal and a walk down the architecturally diverse Welsh Row. The route is very well waymarked (two types - see pictures below) and a leaflet for the walk is available from many locations throughout south Cheshire.

Starting from the carpark in Shrewbridge Road exit via the path and at the river turn left. Continue along this path and over a footbridge. The route of the river was changed in the 1970's for flood prevention reasons. This left the old route of the river to your left and created the large lake that you pass to the right of.

As you approach the end of the lake take the smaller waymarked route to the right which brings you to the A530 on the outskirts of Nantwich. Cross the road and turn right.

After a short distance the Bridleway starts on the right. This is a very well used route and the animals are used to people crossing the fields. Cross the first field to a bridge over a stream. After this is a small incline after which angle right to meet the hedgeline and then follow it (past a stile on your right) to reach a small enclosure with gates at either end - you also change hedgelines here and exit with the hedgeline on your left.

At the end of the second field is the railway line which you cross and then continue, keeping the hedgeline to your left, past a new housing development on the right. At the end of the field pass through the gate onto Green Lane and angle left to pass down to the Shropshire Union Canal where you turn right and pass under the bridge.

Continue along the canal until just after the cast iron aquaduct where you turn right down the brick steps (or continue on to use the slope down to the road). Cross Water-Lode via the crossing and then pass down Welsh Row towards the town centre.

Just before you reach the Cheshire Cat, and after it the bridge over the river, turn right into St Anne's Lane and follow the path which gently bears left to cross the river, by a bridge, onto Mill Island.

At the signpost turn left to the site of the old mill and then turn right with the mill chase on your left, crossing the bridge over the weir and leaving Mill Island.

At the next signpost turn left to follow the river and then turn left to cross it by a bridge. Bear right and follow the path under the railway bridge and then turn left down the path back to the carpark and your starting point.

Allow up to 1.75 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.
07/11/2016