Orrsta one

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A good route between Orrell and Standish using rural footpaths, which make this route mostly foot-only.

From the centre of Orrell, at the crossroads, we head down a residential road, joining a footpath to the left of the school gates. A long narrow earth and loose stone path between the fences of the houses on each side, with one road crossing, it eventually brings us to a subway beneath the M6. Beyond, a footpath around the edge of fields until we reach residential roads. A few side roads, a short path across a green, then a long curving road around the Heinz factory, which brings us to the next footpath: earth and loose stone once more, and, once over a footbridge, runs alongside some fences.

Under a railway bridge, the path is now wooded, and a pleasant, though short, walk. A little footbridge takes us over the river Douglas, and then we take a track past a house up to the canal (although at time of survey, this was deeply flooded, but there is an alternate route to the canal).

We're not on the canal long; we're soon over the bridge and through Crooke. A couple of paved residential roads, and then, when we get to a large circular green, we turn right onto another footpath heading into the woods and then alongside fields until we join a farm track at Lower Wood Farm. Along the sunken track of Standish Wood Lane (look out for the medieval cross stumps), the muddy footpath becomes an unpaved residential road (at time of survey, it was being resurfaced, but was scheduled to be there for long, but there were footpath closures).

Down a couple more roads (and past another cross stump), and we eventually get to the centre of Standish and the end of the route.

A decent rural route with shops, pubs and transport links at both ends.

I walked from Standish to Orrell on a damp day. After leaving the residential roads (I’d have preferred to leave them earlier by going straight on past the school and using Beech Walk), the off-road Standish Wood Lane was really very nice, with loads of squirrels, although there were some large puddles to avoid. It became more of a holloway for a while.
At Lower Wood Farm (OS Grid Ref: SD 56190 08143) it was unclear which side of the fence the public footpath followed, both on the OS Map and on the ground. Both sides had their problems. I chose the south east side, as the wheat crop had recently been harvested, but the other side (which in retrospect, I suspect is the correct route) looked very overgrown and wild. It was possible to exit either route to continue along what must be a former railway line.
A subsequent footpath was almost drowned out by Himalayan Balsam. Crooke Hall Inn, just before the canal crossing, is a convenient half way point, although it doesn’t open until 2pm most days. There are also benches here though.
After a few more footpaths I realised I was weaving through the industrial estate but I could hardly see it to start with. When I emerged, I found it was quite spacious so not too bad. I could soon smell the tomato sauce!
Toward the tunnel under the motorway was a field with an overabundance of animal warning signs. Fortunately, the cattle were behind a fence! The final lane into Orrell ran behind houses and looked tidy and well-used.
Mostly a fairly good route.

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