Rainow - SHORT WALK

Short Walk Rainow SJ952763   SK10 5XF 
Moderate walk approx. 6 miles total ascent 1198ft
Starting point 10.00am Smithy Lane behind the Robin Hood Pub
Some moderate ascents and steep stiles at the beginning of the walk. It may be muddy and wet in places. Recommend poles.
We make a steady ascent from Smithy Lane up across the fields to the left of Ginclough Farm. We meet the B5470 and walk a short stretch along the road before taking the footpath down towards Withinlow Farm and on to Harrop Fold Farm where we turn right up the track towards the main road. We take a footpath to the left which takes us down towards Harrop House Farm where we will join the upper path through Harrop Wood. From there we drop down to Harrop Bridge and turn right onto Hedgerow before joining Oakenbank, Lima Clough and on to Rainowlow, Clarke House and back to Smithy Lane.  Please bring a drink/snack for ‘coffee time’.  I can give a lift from Prestbury 07729327940.

A little bit of history ….
Three witches were tried at the Michaelmas Assizes, Chester. One of whom was Ellen Beech. She lived at Rainow near Macclesfield, Cheshire. She was charged with 'certain arts from which wicked and devilish acts certain people of Rainow fell ill and died.' At her trial Ellen (the widow of John Beech, a collier in Rainow) pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Elizabeth Cowper. She was convicted of witchcraft. She was hanged at Gallows Hill, Boughton along with Anne Osboston and Anne Thornton. She was buried in the corner of the Castle ditch in the churchyard on the 8th October 1656.