South Cheshire - Alpraham figure of eight

From the car park set off North East on the rough track at the back of the carpark left toward the A51. At the A51 cross the road, carefully onto pavement on far side and turn right towards Nantwich. Turn left up Hibre Bank and in 100m at the footpath sign. Take the footpath left following the hedge line towards Moathouse Farm (A) and into its cobbled yard. Note the Pear Tree surrounded by an iron fence in the orchard where Wesley preached and, of course, the moat round the farm. Emerging onto the lane turn left and then take the footpath on right. From the signpost, cross the field diagonally South East toward the radio masts and paths junction at SJ 597 592.

Do not cross over the hunt jump into the next field but instead turn right for 20m to a stile and cross into the field there. Once in the field turn right to follow the hedge line on your right to double stile over a ditch at SJ 596 592. Ahead and, with the hedge on the right, walk toward the house, passing a stile in the hedge before the house. Turn left after the stile to pick up the path line heading South West to enter a house garden over stile, then down the drive to emerge in Masons Row. Right toward A51 and cross the main road at the Davenport Arms onto a track ahead which crosses the canal then down right onto the towpath and head back left (West). At Bunbury locks (B) go up onto the road and turn right back over canal bridge to the footpath sign on the left, proceed with care as there is no pavement on this minor road. There is a cafe with toilets on the Shropshire Union Canal at Bunbury Lock.Those wanting a shorter walk can continue along Bunbury Road to the car park. There is an unmarked track on the right which leads into the picnic spot.

To continue with the main walk, take the stile on the left and then walk up the field to the left hand corner of the riding paddock at Southley Farm. Then ahead toward the nearest overhead line pole and go west parallel to the canal toward Beeston Castle in the distance to a hidden stile below at the field edge. Cross the stile down below into the next field then along the track beside the canal (watching out for horse riders). The track emerges onto open ground and a fishpond near the canal. Go round the pond on the South side nearest the canal and follow the edge of the wood through kissing gates to arrive at a short lane with Cottage Farm on the right.

Emerge onto the tarmac road (it might be described as the driveway to the cottage) and then take the footpath to the right between the barn and field entrance adjacent to Cottage Farm heading north. Cross a trackway with care (part of the horse gallop you will come across in this area) then descend half right towards a house in the distance, not toward the much larger residence straight ahead. As you approach the house a stile will be visible which leads to a short track. Turn left and up to the lane then turn right to pass in front of Snape Gate, the house that you were heading for. In 40m at the road junction, there is a stile to a footpath on the left, then right over the stile into the paddock. Head up the field with the high ground on your left to emerge onto the A51 pavement. Turn right on the pavment and left into Brains Lane. In 400m, just past a road junction (Rookery Farm Road) on the left, there is a bridleway sign in the hedge. Take the bridleway which follows right of the line of the drive to Rookery Farm. Take the gateway right of the large barns and then continue East following the path with hedges to the left through gateways to the start of Pinfold Lane.

Don't go ahead through the metal gate. Follow the path to your right signed by the fingerpost and waymarkers to the top of the field where there is a path junction. Turn right with the hedge to your left and pass a gateway to a stile in 50m. Cross the stile and continue south and ahead, over three more stile and onto the A51.

Cross the road onto the broad pavement and turn right toward Chester for 200m to the bridleway on the left at the Cottage, renovated 1996. Then follow the track back to Bunbury Lane and the car park.