Midcre one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Midcre here.

I walked this route from Crewe to Middlewich. At best it is a peaceful walk, making the most of the Greenway through the north of Crewe, footpaths across fields and a charming bridleway leading directly into Middlewich. Unfortunately there were some access issues in the middle section, and a short spell along a very busy road, which is why I have rated it only 2 stars. The rest of the walk is 5 star.
After walking through the centre of Crewe, join the Greenway at the junction of Broad Street and Badger Avenue . It is mostly well signposted through the suburbs of the town - only one signpost had clearly been turned through 180 degrees! On the last section to Moss Lane, bear left at the junction with other footpaths to arrive opposite the start of Moss Lane. You could walk to the end of this lane if you wanted to stop off at Bradfield Green for refreshments, using either the pub or the excellent cafe at the garden centre by the crossroads. However, if you do not need to stop for refreshments you could take a short cut by using the footpath accessed by a stile on the right off Moss Lane just past the pylons. If you choose to go to Bradfield Green, there is a pavement along the length of the main road where you will be walking, so quite safe. The entrance to the footpath just past Church Farm barns is unmarked. I presume the owner prefers people to use the footpath a little further along the road opposite the church, which is clearly marked. A stretch of easy (though muddy) walking then follows, through fields. Almost all the boundaries are crossed using stiles. At Parkfield Farm, the OS map shows the path going through the centre of the farm, but this has been blocked off, so turn left to walk in front of the farm buildings and then right at the end of them, to see the bridge over the railway line directly ahead. This slight deviation is not signposted, but not difficult to find.
The next section between here and Hopley House is the worst part of the walk. I encountered two broken stiles, and another one so overgrown with thorn bushes that I had to clamber over the adjacent fence. I also came across a gate which clearly hadn't been used in a long time. I struggled to open it, but in the end gave up and climbed over. No problem if you are agile, but not for everyone. At the end of this section the exit onto the road near Bellsmithy is through a small gap in an old metal fence. There is no sign post there, so you would have to look out for this entrance to the field if you were walking from Middlewich. After this comes a short section along the busy A530 until you reach Hopley House. There is a narrow verge to walk on, so it is not impossible, but not a pleasant section to negotiate. I notice on the map that there is another footpath running parallel to this whole section about half a mile to the east, and this could be a better alternative, but I have not had chance to try it yet.
From Hopley House the walk is a dream, along a well marked bridleway with new gates at all the boundaries. I chose to walk along the canal once I arrived in Middlewich - a great end to the walk and despite the difficulties mentioned, it did not seem like 10 miles.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.