Audlem - 5 Mile Circular, Weaver Way & South Cheshire Way

Today we are in the pretty village of Audlem in the south of Cheshire. Close to the borders of both Shropshire and Staffordshire the village is a meeting of the ways with the road to Whitchurch in one direction, Market Drayton in the other and Newcastle Under Lyme in a third. The village lies right on the Shropshire Union Canal and close to the River Weaver. Audlem also marks the southern end of the Weaver way, a 40 mile route that runs all the way to Frodsham in the north. We’ve run several routes along the Weaver Way already including Frodsham, Acton Bridge, Northwich, Winsford and Nantwich. We take a run north up the canal and then loop back around to Audlem on a section of the South Cheshire Way. It was mid afternoon in January and the sun was low, I absolutely loved it.

Also check out

• Run along the River Weaver from Frodsham to Dutton Lock 
• Acton Bridge | Dutton Locks | Trent & Mersey Canal | Saltersford Locks
• Walk / Run Route Winsford – Winsford to Hunts Lock Northwich on the Weaver Way
• Walk/Run Nantwich – an 8 mile circular route around the beautiful countryside in Nantwich, Cheshire

The Route

From the free car park in Audlem turn right down Cheshire Street past St James’s Church then turn right on Whitchurch road. At the Bridge in turn right and join the Shropshire Union Canal Path. Follow the canal to lock 82 then take the path on your right, cross the road and take the footpath straight on. As you approach the river weaver, you turn off the track left and follow the edge of the field alongside the river weaver. Cross the weaver up to the next gate then turn right. The track heads up a rise and then the footpath continues to the left of the track coming out on Hall lane. Turn right down the lane. At the bend go straight on, the track runs behind the barn conversions and across the field coming out on Audlem road just outside the village. I turned right here but there is a short busy section without a footpath so instead I’d suggest taking the path straight on when you reach Audlem road which will bring you to Monks Lane where you turn right, then turn right into Heathfield Road which brings you back to Audlem road at the village green where you turn left back down Cheshire Street to the Car Park.