Alsager to Bignall Hill - Merelake Way, Wedgewood's Monument & Bathpool Park

Today we have a 10 mile route starting from Alsager in Cheshire. The route heads out up the Merelake Way and over the fields into Staffordshire and up Bignall Hill to Wedgewood’s Monument. We then head down to Red Street and Talke Pits before dropping down into Bathpool Park at Kidsgrove. We then pick up the Trent and Mersey canal at Harecastle Tunnel and follow it for a stretch before following the path alongside the train tracks back to Alsager. It’s a lovely route that gets you right out into the countryside.

The Route

Starting from the car park on Linley Road in Alsager we head up the Merelake Way which appears to be a section of disused railway that probably used to connect to the Salt Line. 

At the far end, turn right on Merelake Road and then turn immediately left on the footpath. After a short distance at the gate the path turns right (not clearly marked) follow the path which comes out on Eardleyend Road where we turn left. Next turn right into Cross lane and take the path on the left which passes Earldley Hall Kennels and over the fields and under the A500. 

Follow the path straight on over the next 2 fields and then at the gate turn left (not marked), follow the path to Bignall End Road and turn left and then right up the track that leads to Bignall Hill. Head up the hill stopping at Wedgewood’s Monument where John Wedgewood of Bignall End is buried. Fantastic views..

Now continue straight on, ignore the path to your right continue straight on down the hill to Dean’s lane, cross and take the path opposite which comes out on Talke Road in Red Street. Turn left and head down the hill at the roundabout take the second exit for High Street in Talke Pits. After a short distance take a right into Saint Martin’s Road and then take the path on the right at the bend which brings you to Newcastle Road. Cross the road with care and turn left taking the next footpath on the left after a short distance. The track heads behind some houses , down a bank and then right and down into some woodland. When the path reaches a field turn right back into the woods on a track that comes out at Bathpool Park where we turn right. 

Follow the track straight on through the park to the Car Park and then turn left onto Boathorse Road. At the end of the road turn left into First Avenue and immediately right down the track at Kidsgrove St Thomas, bear left which drops you down to the Trent and Mersey canal at Harecastle Tunnel. Follow the canal through Kidsgrove out past Red Bull Service and then cross lock 46 and take the path straight on beside the train tracks. Eventually you arrive at a railway crossing, cross with care and turn right, the path continues down the other side of the tracks and comes out at the A5011 where we turn left and then right into Linley Road which we follow back to the car park. Or possibly head next door to the Linley for a well deserved pint