Starting from Peel Hall Park, off Peel Hall Road and Bleak Hey Road

Finishing at Northenden Riverside Park

[1] Exit Peel Hall Park by the exit onto Bleak Hey Road. Turn left along the road and at the end cross the road ahead (Peel Hall Road) and turn right along it.

(A) Peel Hall gets its name from an Elizabethan moated manor house, which once stood here. The site was probably established in the 14th Century, and in the 16th Century came into the possession of the Tattons of Wythenshawe. The house fell into disrepair in the 1960s and was demolished, but the moat survives, surrounded by the park. It is designated, along with its platform (where the manor house was), as an Ancient Monument by English Heritage. The moat bridge is Grade II listed.

Take the third road on the left, Longwood Road (which is opposite a parade of shops) then take the first road on the left, Garland Road, and cross via the dropped kerbs where safe. At the gap in the wire fence on the right, enter Park Wood (paths in the wood may be muddy in places).

[2] Immediately on entering the wood, take the left fork by the stream along a partially surfaced path. Ignore the next path on the left and keep ahead. Continue straight on, as the stream comes alongside the path again from the left. Turn right at the paths’ junction, following the signpost for Crossacres Road, which leads to a pond. Immediately at the end of the pond, turn left and exit to Longwood Road. (Ignore the directions on the posts as the signs have been turned around). Turn left along Longwood Road and continue to the end of the road, turning right into Crossacres Road. Follow the road to the end, turn right and cross Hollyhedge Road at the zebra crossing, then turn left along it. Turn right through the gate at the sign for Hollyhedge Park.

[3] Take the main path which initially runs between the bowling green on the left and the play area on the right, then continues to the left of the football pitches. Bear right at the path junction by the green tin shed. Bear right again, ignoring a narrower path that leads off to the left. Bear right once again, ignoring the stepped path on the left. Exit onto Altrincham Road through the gate, turning right and passing the Sharston Green Businesss park on your left, then turn left at the traffic lights and carry straight on into Longley Lane. Continue over the motorway bridge, passing the new Stagecoach depot on your left and cross a railway bridge. Shortly after the rail bridge, a wood known as Rose Hill Wood appears on the right, but unfortunately there is no public access to this wood.

[4] Almost opposite the junction with Sharston Road (on the left,)  turn right down the path alongside a fence. The path becomes unsurfaced and leads to a playing field. Keep left through the playing field, then turn left along the surfaced path past the Bagnall Court block of flats. Bear left into West View Road, then turn left at the end of this road. Cross this road and turn right at the end to join a major road (Royle Green Road). Continue along this for some distance. Just after The Spread Eagle pub, turn right across a small garden area with benches. This is the Northenden Conservation Area Village Green.

[5] Take the left turn, Boat Lane, that runs past the Crown Inn. This road is signposted as the Trans Pennine Trail to West Didsbury, Chorlton and Stretford. Boat Lane has a cobbled pavement for a short distance. Keep left past the boarded-up timber-framed building that was the Tatton Arms. Cross by the speedhump and turn left onto the surfaced path alongside the river. This area is Northenden Riverside Park. There is a playground and seating area over looking the River Mersey.

(B) Northenden Riverside Park has been planted with wildflowers aimed at attracting a wide variety of bird species. You may see a wide range of different types of ducks and other wildlife.

Terrain;

Much of the route is on pavements and surfaced paths but the area through Park Wood is muddy. All of the walk is flat.

Refreshments:

A small parade of shops on Peel Hall Road near the start of the route.  Also the Spread Eagle and Crown Inn pubs near Northenden Riverside Park.

Toilets:

There are no toilets along the route.

Public transport:

Peel Hall Park – Buses 104 and 368 serve Peel Hall Road adjacent to the park. Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from Heald Green railway station.

Park Wood – Buses 104, 177 and 368 serve Crossacres Road adjacent to the wood

Hollyhedge Park – Bus 371 serves Altrincham Road at the northern end of the park. Bus 11 serves Hollyhedge Road at the southern end. Approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from Gatley railway station

Rose Hill Wood – no public transport passes the wood on Longley Road. Bus 371 serves Altrincham Road at the southern end of Longley Road; and buses 43, 105, 178, 202, 272 and X5 serve Sharston Road at its junction with Longley Road

Northenden Riverside Park – buses 41, 43, 48, 178 and 370 serve Palatine Road adjacent to the park

 Acknowledgements