Objective: Complete a circular ride from Northwich to the Anderton Lift, along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Middlewich, the Shropshire Union Middlewich Arm to Winsford, and up the River Weaver back to Northwich.
Trip Type: solo cycle, circular ride
Distance: 24 miles
Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 7.2 mph
Nicholson Guide: Guide 4, pp 109, 162-165, 173-175
Costs: The ride can be started from the Anderton Lift car park (£2 for 3 hours, £8 for the day) or Northwich (use the Memorial Car Park, £2 all day). No train required as this is a circular ride.
Difficulty: moderate
Adjacent Rides: Anderton Lift to Runcorn, Wrenbury to Winsford, Stoke to Middlewich
Overview
An excellent circular ride, some parts on an very good surface, and others (along the Trent & Mersey between Anderton Lift and Middlewich) not so good, and there is the odd steep muddy hill depending on which route you take approaching Anderton Lift.
If you are starting from the Anderton Lift car park start at Section 2, and finish with Section 1.
1. Northwich to Anderton Lift
If starting from Northwich, from the Memorial Car park in Northwich cycle down Chester Way, using the pavement on the one-way section down the A533 to Town Swing Bridge. Turn right along the quayside, Weaver Way.
The path goes round to the right of the BEAR building, down Baron’s Quay Road. At the small roundabout turn left then turn left into the car park. Turn immediately left up and over the footbridge into Carey Park. Follow the path alongside the river on a good gravel surface.
Where Witton Brook heads off to the right cross the bridge and turn left. The river is still on your left. Continue on the path through the woods to emerge near Anderton Lift (if you follow the wider path to the right over the bridge up and over the hill it is a better surface, but there are steep steps down).
Follow the steep slope up and emerge into the Anderton Lift Visitor centre car park. Continue through the car park to the top of the Lift. If you’ve not visited the Lift before take some time to admire it.
2. Anderton Lift to Middlewich
From the top of the lift turn right on the Trent & Mersey Canal towards Middlewich. The path is initially good, but gradually narrows and turns to earth with grass in places. It worsens with overgrown nettles, tree roots and stones.
At Kinderton Bank the path dramatically improves. You pass the busy Little Lock Coffee Shop. Continue on a good path all the way into Middlewich, where there are pubs, cafés and shops should you need them. At the Kings Lock junction turn right onto the Wardle Canal and continue up the locks where it becomes the Shropshire Union, Middlewich Branch.
3. Middlewich to Winsford
Continue on the recently laid gravel path for 2 miles to Clive Green Bridge, 24, where you will need to push your bike up the steep narrow steps to the road. Turn right on Clive Green Lane. Just before the A54 turn left on Rilshaw Lane. Pass the housing development and, as the road bears right towards the junction with Proudman Way, turn left into the car park and take the main track downhill towards the river. Continue north along the riverbank into Winsford.
4. Winsford to Northwich
At the Red Lion cross the busy road and take the path to the right of the pub, bearing left to stay close to the river. Continue to the interesting Vale Royal Locks, where there are swing bridges as well.
Continue to the railway viaduct as you enter Northwich. Go under the arch and take Weir Street, Dock Road, and Queen Street to Chester Way. Cross the road by Waitrose and turn left, then right on the path down steps. At the River Dane cross the bridge and (if you started from Northwich) turn right back to Chester Way to ride back to the Memorial car park.
If you started from Anderton Lift Visitor centre don’t turn right, just continue straight across the A533 by Town Bridge to Weaver Way and follow Section 1 at the top of the page.
The Salty Dog on High Street (just by Weaver Way) is handily paced for a post-ride pint, and has a good range of interesting beers. It’s a sit in the corner and do your crossword type of pub when it’s not busy.