Northwich and Anderton

Dates back to 1892, coming from Chester, impressive high level entrance on train, on railway viaduct, where you can see the areas explored on the SHORT WALK, exit station to left of Tesco petrol station to traffic lights at road bridge, straight across into Victoria Road, pass the Primary and Nursery School built in 1906 to railway bridge at end, waypoint 2.

Turn left over bridge, turn first right into Manora road, follow round to Carlton Road, waypoint 3.

Straight ahead, see Vickersway Park on left, attractions include aviary, chicken and rabbit enclosures, childrens' play area, crazy golf, putting green, bowls, tennis courts and skatepark, park open but cafe only open April-October, straight ahead on path between skatepark and railway viaduct to waypoint 4.

Turn right, SHORT WALK follows the river on picturesqe path to find steel sculpture of three people, waypoint 16, a salt worker, Paula Radcliffe and Gary Barlow (see flickr) and where the LONG WALK joins it later, LONG WALK turn left over footbridge to pelican crossing, cross and turn left along London Road to find Workhouse Museum on right, well worth a visit (see flickr), after visit turn left back along London Road to waypoint 5.

Turn left, pass old fire station, see brown historic road sign for Anderton Boat Lift, cross swing bridge (see flickr) by Northwich Marina on left side to waypoint 6.

Turn left uphill, past Church, watch for plaque on left for site of old Roman Fort and Road (see flickr), to next brown road sign for Boat Lift, waypoint 7.

Under railway bridge, turn right, stay on path on right of road, pass Moss Park Leisure Centre, pass Winnington Sports Club, pass Tata Europe's plant, cross old stone bridge with plaque commemorating the battle of Winnington Bridge in 1659, ahead is single lane, lights controlled swing bridge, cross to footpath on left of bridge to T junction, waypoint 8.

Turn right uphill to see Old Road on right, waypoint 9.

Turn right and pass pub down to Anderton Boat Lift, waypoint 10.

Boat Lift built in 1875, upgraded in 1908 and restored to hydraulic operation in 2001, Operations Centre is split level, higher level cafe, desk for tickets for boat trip through the lift, retail etc., lower level new exhibition, cinematic centrepiece and lift control centre enabling visitors to get up close and personal with the lift on its busy daily schedule, time travel through this unique structure onboard the elegant Edwin Clark trip boat between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal, after vsit turn right around back of centre into carpark, straight across to waypoint 11.

Part of Northwich Community Woodlands, a fabulous area of countryside stretching from Northwich to Marbury Country Park, over 11 miles of surfaced routes enabling walkers, cyclists and horse riders to explore the area, take the path down, passing the Dragonfly Pool, to the path on the riverbank, turn left and follow to waypoint 12.

Cross and turn right still keeping to lower path along riverbank to waypoint 13.

Cross to road and turn right slightly uphill, straight across next road, downhill should see M and S store at start of pedestrianised shopping precinct on way into town, waypoint 14.

Cross to waypoint 15, should see art sculpture of about 25 blue coloured balls on rods.

Follow to steel sculpture of three people LONG WALK joins continuation of SHORT WALK here, waypoint 16.

Take right fork away from river to Whalley Road, turn right foloow until road ends, straight on, school on left, where path turns sharp left before tunnel under railway go through gate into cemetery of St. Helens, Witton, also known as Northwich Parish Church, most historical building in town, founded in 14th. century, Grade 1 listed building is included in Clifton-Taylor's best English parish churches, its outstanding features are its Tudor roof and Victorian stained glass windows, on to waypoint 17.

Should recognise railway bridge on right as waypoint 2 from earlier so should find way back to station alright, waypoint 18.

End of walk/s, hope you saw all you wanted to and enjoyed.