Northwich River and Canal Walk

5 miles (8 km)

A lovely circular walk around Northwich, taking in the River Weaver, the Trent and Mersey Canal and several parks including the splendid Marbury Country Park. The route explores the Northwich Community Woodlands,�an area of countryside with 11km (7 miles) of cycling and walking paths.
The walk starts in Carey Park just to the north of the town centre where car parking is available. Follow the paths along the river into Anderton Nature Park. There's a nice wildflower trail with orchids and lots of wildlife to look out for here. Near here there's also the splendid Anderton Boat Lift. This remarkable feat of engineering is located on the canal and is one of the highlights of the area.
The route then picks up the canal towpath following it east into Marbury Park. Here you will find magnificent Lime avenues, an Arboretum and the delightful Budworth Mere in Great Budworth.
After exploring the park the route follows woodland trails to Dairy House Meadows and Neumann's Flash where there's a pretty lake with a variety of bird species including wader and waterfowl. You can look out for the wildlife from one of the bird hides.
The final section crosses the river before returning to Carey Park.
Part of this route uses the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk long distance footpath. You can extend your walking in the area by following the towpath west towards Barnton and Bartington. Around here you can also pick up waterside paths along the Weaver Way which runs just to the south of the canal. Heading east and then south will stake you towards Middlewich.

Northwich Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Northwich Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Northwich OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Northwich Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Northwich

Cheshire Ring Canal Walk - This nice easy walk follows six historic canals through Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire
Marbury Country Park - This splendid country park is in a beautiful location in Northwich, Cheshire
North Cheshire Way - Starting at Hooton Station, near Ellesmere Port, follow the North Cheshire Way through Frodsham, Northwich, Knutsford and Wilmslow to the finish point at Disley
Weaver Way - Follow the Weaver Way through Cheshire from Audlem to Frodsham on this delightful 40 mile walk
Winsford - This Cheshire based town sits in a nice spot next to the canalised�section of the River Weaver
Pickmere Lake - This pretty lake is located just north of Northwich in the Cheshire village of Pickmere.
Arley Hall - This walk visits Arley Hall and Gardens in the Cheshire based village of Arley
Anderton Boat Lift - This photogenic Cheshire based site is one of the highlights of the UK's waterways
Great Budworth - This attractive and historic Cheshire village includes a fine 15th century church and an early 18th century pub
Lower Peover - This Cheshire based village is located in a pleasant rural spot close to Knutsford and Northwich.
Shakerley Mere - A short and easy walk around the pretty Shakerley Mere in the Goostrey area of Cheshire.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Winsford Walk follows a section of the Weaver Way from the neighbouring town to Northwich. The town includes an 18th century canalside pub and a number of pretty lakes or flashes, which give evidence of the town's mining history. The popular Whitegate Way also starts/finishes in Winsford. The shared cycling and walking trail follows a disused railway line north to Cuddington. A car park and the old station can be found at the Winsford end.
Just a few miles to the east there's Lower Peover where you can visit the Grade I listed church and enjoy a walk to Peover Hall. The 16th century country manor includes beautiful gardens which are open to the public on certain days. Just over a mile south of the village there's something of a hidden gem at Shakerley Mere. The pretty lake includes a 1 mile circular trail, lots of wildlife and pleasant woodland trails. There's also a fine 300 year old pub for refreshments after your exercise.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cheshire Walks page.