Nineteen walkers and one dog met in the car park opposite the cafe in Holmebrook Valley Park on a grey but pleasant enough morning. We made our way to the bottom end of the pond and took a track that followed the Holme Brook. Continuing on through field paths to Hall farm we soon reached Kitchenflat Wood. After passing through the wood we we met up with the B6050 at Pratthall.
After a short stretch on tarmac we took a right turn by the old Gate Inn (now a private residence) towards Oxton Rakes, crossing fields to meet Grange Lane. We continued to walk along this quiet lane passing through Bole Hill and Newgate until we reached the top of Wilkin Hill. At this point we left the lane and took a track across fields through Cutthorpe Common.
We were soon back in the village of Cutthorpe where we followed the road until we reached a left hand bend. Rather than take the bend we continued straight on along a track taking us back to the car park in Holmebrook Valley Park. I can’t remember the exact spot that we had our coffee break but it was on a grassy bank overlooking a road. As one car passed us the driver tooted his horn and the passengers waved, which was nice but a little puzzling.
Many thanks to Barry for leading the walk and to Chris for backmarking. Although I know this area reasonably well the route took in some paths that I wasn’t familiar with, which I always appreciate.
