Old Warke Dam

Worsley Delph

The walk starts in Worsley Village Green. You will walk up the road, and find a footpath tucked away that snakes through some quaint houses and canal basins.

Much of the buildings here are idyllic to look at. Built in the black and white fashion, with well maintained gardens, perched on the bank of the canal, the area around here is peaceful, and feels like you are stepping back in time. To head over the canal, you will cross the ABC bridge. Named because each of its 26 beams is labelled with a letter of the alphabet.

Crossing the road, you head into the Worsley Delph. An old coal mine entry sits in the basin. The viewing platform details plenty of interesting information about the area, and the bizarre sculpture you will see before you.

Worsley Woods

The path heads up into the forest from here. Stay to the right of the fork ahead.

Here, the trail snakes through a forest. Stay to the left of the woods you enter, or you'll end up doing the route in reverse. The paths can be muddy after heavy rain, but drain well. Be careful with your footing, and there's nothing too difficult here. You will see the corner of Old Warke Dam, which you circle back to later.

Kempnough Brook

Crossing the road, you skirt the edge of a field. Then, you cut right to Kempnough Brook. The sodden ground here gives rise to a very different ecosystem. The rushes and dead trees provide an almost ominous feeling in autumn. You will cross the brook, and turn left. The brook forms a thin streak through otherwise thick green forest.

As you cross the brook, you turn right to head back. You'll notice the brook to your right fade away and you re-enter woodland areas. Keep an eye out for the little bird sculptures dotted around.

Old Warke Dam

The path takes you straight past Old Warke Dam. An old hunting lodge for the aristocracy surrounding the Third Earl of Ellesmere stands over the lake. Built in the 19th century, it is said to contain plenty of fish, which attracts the many birds, geese and swans you can feed. Nearby information plaques are loaded with history are well worth a read.

The path follows the bank further down, and at the edge of the dam, you take a right and a left down some steps.

Returning through the woods

The trail takes back towards the Delpth, and you'll recognise the path when it rejoins the route you took heading out. Enjoy the sound of the babbling stream. Be careful with remembering where you went, I missed a path on my recce. But, I did accidentally turn left into the Worsley Delpth pub, which is a great spot to end the walk.

Or, continue down the road at the Delpth, and turn right to walk through Worsley Village Green.