South Cheshire Way - Whitchurch to Crewe (Day 3)

Saturday 12th July 2025

Walking Diary (All Walks) Long Distance Walks Offa's Dyke to the Pennine Way Link Path 2025

South Cheshire Way - Whitchurch to Crewe

We started the day with a certain amount of optimism, surely the South Cheshire Way couldn't be as bad as the Maelor Way - it was all going so well as we set off on the longest stretch of the trail so far (I had estimated 20 miles, so that meant 25 in reality).

After another pleasant start, we soon made a mistake on the South Cheshire Way and we fortunate to bump into an old lady who gave us directions back to the correct path, without this we could have had a tricky time picking up the route again.

The South Cheshire Way was looking reasonably good until we got to Wickstead Old Hall and chatted to a chap (who was cleaning his car) within the grounds of probably his lovely house/hall - he said there’s loads of fields up ahead on the route with cattle and there had been two fatalities that he knew about - “it’s all cattle country round here” so after yesterdays events we decided to detour around the country lanes and pick up the path near Marbury, which we did.

Further along the way, we spoke to a nice lady at a farm shop who again warned us of “loads of cows on our route" in fields at this time of year up ahead. She also highlighted fatalities nearby. This was getting daft, so we started to avoid country/field walking where we could, predominantly sticking to country lanes whilst still roughly following the South Cheshire Way.

This resulted in lots of road walking on the hottest day of the year (33+ degrees), this was extremely hard work, we had three pub stops and the pints of iced cokes were life savers !! Staggering into Crewe Hall with the thought of a swim in their pool drive us on - only to be devastated when we were 10 minutes late for the spa/pool and no matter how much we pleaded - there was no letting us in for 10 minutes .

But we did enjoy a nice meal and some lovely cold craft ale, then some sleep.

Can't really comment on the standard of the South Cheshire Way as we probably didn't do enough of it.

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.
Distance: 24.6 miles
Duration: 9:00 hours
Ascent: 2625 ft
Difficulty: Tough
Accompanied By: Davy
Weather: Extremely Hot & Sunny

3D outline of route

Parking

A good start - a fingerpost with SCW (South Cheshire Way) displayed - we can't go wrong now!

Looks like we have gone wrong!

It took a while but we re-traced our steps and saw the bridleway we should have picked up.

Wickstead Old Hall.

As you will see from the introduction above, we were warned by the landowner against following the SCW across the fields due to the amount of livestock present and their capability to trample walkers.

We took his advice and did a detour via Marbury.

On the outskirts of Marbury

The Swan at Marbury - time to get out of the red hot sun and treat ourselves to a pint of ice cold coke.

That was a good idea. Would have loved a beer, but that would have been a mistake on a day like today.

The Swan was a cracking little pub, very friendly and they even offered us bacon sandwiches to take with us on our epic journey.

It's a tad disconcerting when you tell folk where you are walking to and then they say "Your WALKING to Crewe!" quickly followed by "Why"

I guess that means we still have a long way to go on the hottest day of the year.

All quiet on the Crewe to Shrewsbury main line.

Back on the path - looks more like the rubbish we got on the Maelor Way.

Wandering through Aston.

A puzzling short cut at The Laurels.

On the South Cheshire Way and the paths are pretty clear and well defined now.

Even the cows don't chase you anymore - are we reaching civilisation?

This lot were pretty easy going although we were on the other side of the fence.

Crossing the Shropshire Union Canal.

Arriving at Hankelow - I hope there's a pub here, the heat was intense - we need a cool break.

There was indeed - We rested our tired, smelly and wet bodies in the comfiest of chairs. We were dripping wet and our skin was glistening in the sunlight that came in through the window.

But I can honestly say, that that was one of the most enjoyable drinks I have ever had.

Have you watched Ice Cold in Alex?

If you know, you know.

More corn fields as we follow the path around Hunsterson.

The corn fields didn't pose much of a problem for us, most (if not all) farmers had provided reasonably easy to follow ways through their crop.

A few days earlier we were in the mood to ignore such warnings and just take our chances - but we had now had enough of trials and tribulations on the Maelor Way, so we heeded the advice, and detoured around the country lanes... again.

Wybunbury (What a great name) and our third pub stop for, yes you guessed it, a pint of iced coke!

We were running on empty by this stage, and just wanted to get to Crewe and in particular, the swimming pool that we knew was waiting for us.

But we still had time to hang around and see if we could get a photo of a train going past on the West Coast Mail Line.

I though Crewe would be busy - We gave it 5 minutes before pressing on.

Our spirits raised as our destination got ever nearer.

A500

Were here!

That was a hard 25 miles done in extreme heat. Not hungry in the slightest due to all that coca cola - but we both drank for England.

This does look rather posh - I do hope they let us in.

After carefully removing our boots and depositing half a field of contents onto the entrance steps - we quickly checked in, rushed to our room, got our swimming shorts and found our way to the hotel pool only to be told that they had just stopped allowing entry into the pool and that it wasn't possible to let us have just 5-10 minutes.

No matter how much we pleaded, there was no give - even when I explained that we had just walked for 9 hours in this heat for 25 miles. I was just given a condescending "really" by the lad on the desk. I was rude - which is unlike me, but there was nothing we could do.

It does seem odd that a hotel shuts it's swimming pool at 6pm - Why so early?

Our depression was soon lifted as we got two pints of SALT Alpacalypse delivered to our room (at £5 tray charge I may add) and then enjoyed a few more in the bar later on in the evening. Early night for us though as the exertions of the day took their toll.