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Gorton Reservoir Circular
July 21
Walk leaders : Terry W & Peter W
Grading of walk : Easy
Walk details : Starting at one of the entrances to Sunny Brow Park in Gorton, some 3 miles from central Manchester, this is an easy walk of 4.5 miles, taking about 3 hours, including our lunch break. It follows the first part of the Gorton Heritage Trail which is ‘designed to promote and conserve the heritage and wildlife of Gore Brook Valley’. A pretty little wood takes us to the pedestrian crossing point to cross the very busy Hyde Road, then we pass a butterfly garden and enter the ‘old salt road’ passing the Vale Cottage pub to arrive at Tanyard Brow, site of an old tannery which closed in 1959. We then follow the woodland path around Gorton Lower and Upper Reservoirs, walk along Kings Road, stop for lunch, and do a figure of eight to recross the reservoirs and return to Gorton. Dogs will enjoy this walk but we are likely to meet other people and dogs at times so please keep dogs on a lead when necessary. Please bring your own lunch and drinks for our refreshment stop, and plastic or similar to sit on as there are no cafes on this walk
Risk assessment : A risk assessment was carried out 15/07/2024. A summary of identified risks is below:-
Roads – We do cross some roads so please take extra care on these. Hyde Road, in particular, always has fast traffic so it is essential to use the pedestrian light controlled crossing points.
Terrain – The walk has some sloping paths but no very steep gradients. Paths are wet, very muddy and slippery in parts, with some large puddles, so wearing boots is strongly recommended. The woodland tracks do have tree roots, some low overhead branches and low brambles and nettles overgrowing the paths at times so clothing which protects the legs is recommended. We will be walking on a road through golf courses so please be aware of golfers and the risk of flying golf balls. A few asphalt paths after this may have cyclists and e-bikes on them. As these do not always signal their approach please be aware of them and be prepared to move to allow them through.
Accessibility – There are no stiles or fences to climb. The walk is on well used trails, roads or paths. Tracks are sometimes very muddy and slippery so care needs to be taken to avoid falling.
Water – We do pass reservoirs which are very dangerous to enter due to the risk of cold water shock and hidden hazards. Please keep dogs on a lead when we are next to reservoirs to avoid any risk of them going in the water.
The walk leader will hold a short safety briefing at the start and will remind walkers of any additional risk which may be encountered at appropriate points on the walk.
Start time and meeting point : 12.30pm in Sunny Brow Park, at the junction of Haworth Rd (M18 7EN) and Peacock Grove, Gorton, Manchester M18.
Directions to the start : Leaving Manchester towards Gorton take the A57, Hyde Road, pass the large Tesco Extra Store on your left in Gorton, then take a right turn down Peacock Grove. There are no public toilets near this walk but the Tesco Extra store in Gorton, a few minutes walk from the park, has accessible toilets. The store also has a petrol station next to it.
Parking: It appears there is unrestricted parking on Peacock Grove or on Haworth Road beside Sunny Brow Park.
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Public transport : The 203 bus runs every 15 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly or from Stockport along Hyde Road to the stop by the Tesco store in Gorton. The Bee Network website has timetables for these buses. There appear to be no trains stopping at the nearest rail station, Belle Vue, on Sundays.
Contact number on the day :
Booking : Book your walk here
Changes and cancellation : Very occasionally, due to severe weather or another serious event, a walk may be cancelled. In these instances, a note will be added to the website at least TWO HOURS before the start time. So, do check the website before you set out, and if in doubt use the walk leader’s mobile contact number. Every effort will be made to contact you should a walk be cancelled.