A Staffordshire Meander — Sunday 26th July 2026

Leader: David Shepherd

Reporter: Chris Fildes

16 Members plus our four-legged friends Jim, Peddar, Fossie, Ruby & Nala, set off from Rushton Spencer at about 10am for a walk of approx. 9 miles. Light showers at the start of the walk were welcome after our tropical weather. Two of our members took an alternative route.

The going was good as we crossed the meadows, eventually descending through the woods to Gigg Hall, the R. Dane and Weir.

After short rest, we crossed the footbridge over the Dane and followed the meandering path along the Dane Valley Way passing a lake and a trout farm. On reaching Dane bridge, we called in at the Wincle Brewery for a cuppa (and a small beer for some).

Eventually, out came the sun, as we continued westwards over fields, passing Wincle Grange, and down to Nettlebeds, then north through the woods on a track high above Shell Brook where we stopped for lunch. Thanks for the welcome Eccles Cakes Steve. (Nala likes ham sandwiches by the way).

After lunch we continued on the along the narrow track high above Shell Brook, eventually leaving the woods, and waded through some tall bracken, (“Helen where are you”)?

Then a steady climb passing the old abandoned Mareknowles farm on the way to Wincle Minn summit,1266ft. ‘Minn’ probably derives from the Welsh ‘Mynydd’ (mountain, hill, or upland). The views over Cheshire and Staffordshire were magnificent, with The Roaches, Hen Cloud, Bosley Cloud and Jodrell Bank on the horizon.

We then descended on the Gritstone Trail, to meet Bill, (he’d decided to take the less strenuous route), Then upwards again through Hawkslee, and down to cross the footbridge over Shell Brook, through Dumkins and Wormhill, eventually crossing the ‘Dane Valley Way’ again.

We had intended taking the path direct over Haddon Hill, but with a large herd of cows with their calves in the field ahead however, in the interests of safety we retreated over the stile and proceed back to base using part of our outward route

We arrived at Rushton Spencer by 4.45pm, rounding off the day with welcome refreshments in the beer garden of The Knott Inn.

This was a delightful well-planned, interesting walk with fantastic views. The thrilling high-level track above Shell Brook will be remembered, and the visit to The Winkle Brewery was a bonus!

Many thanks David, the pace was perfect and we all thoroughly enjoyed the day.