Places on the Trail : West
Irish Sea - Pennines covers the Western section of
the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT). This stretches from the Victorian
seaside town of Southport on the Irish Sea and City
of Liverpool to the market town of Penistone at
the eastern foot of the Pennines. Between them lies an amazing range
of sights and scenes as the TPT passes through the countryside, towns
and cities of the North of England. You can follow historic railways
and canals and travel in the footsteps of packhorse traders on ancient
salt routes. |
Places on the Trail
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 Much
of the TPT is on disused railway paths & the Cheshire Lines
and the Liverpool Loop Line are the first you'll encounter from
the west, the former through peaceful farmland of the Lancashire, the
latter as a hidden green corridor passing sandstone cuttings and old
station platforms.
Following the TPT into the centre of Liverpool you'll travel down
the famous Penny Lane, and through the Victorian greenery of Princes
and Sefton Parks (the latter with its splendid glasshouse restored) to
eventually reach the Pier Head with nearby ferry services.
Leaving Liverpool you'll pass through Halewood Country Park and
the village of Hale - complete with thatched cottages
and country pubs - to reach Pickering's Pasture Country Park with
open views of the dramatic Mersey Estuary, dedicated a European Ramsar site
for its wildlife importance.
The TPT hugs the estuary before heading inland along the tranquil St
Helens Canal towards Warrington. Canal and railway paths take you through
Warrington to Trafford, where the TPT picks up the River Mersey once
again. This time you follow a winding riverside path near the southern
suburbs of Manchester, passing by Chorlton Water
Park Local Nature Reserve. At Stockport the TPT has two route options: one taking in the attractions
of the centre - including the unique Hat Museum and Air
Raid Caves, or
the quieter route to the north of the town.
Leaving Stockport through the leafy Tame Valley,
the TPT soon reaches another railway path at Apethorn.
Bridleways and roads continue to Broadbottom and
the western fringe of The
Pennines. After the village of Hadfield,
(home of the TV's League of Gentlemen), you'll
enjoy the dramatic scenery of Longdendale, where a path along the former
Woodhead Railway takes the TPT through the Peak District National
Park.
Passing moors and reservoirs the trail eventually reaches its highest
point (170metres/550feet) over the Woodhead Tunnels. The short climb
is rewarded with a long downhill to Dunford Bridge, to join the railway
once again on the Upper Don section of the TPT - which goes traffic free
right through to Penistone.
Attractions En-route
Merseyside
- Southport - 'Pleasureland' (fun fair) and Southport Pier,
Gardens and lake, town centre shops etc.
- Ainsdale - National Nature
Reserve
- Liverpool City Centre - museums, galleries, Beatles attractions
(TPT runs along Penny Lane), China Town, Pier Head, Anglican
and Roman Catholic Cathedrals, shops etc.
Liverpool - Sefton Park and glass pavilion, Otterspool promenade
and Mersey waterfront, Albert Dock and Tate Gallery
- Knowsley
- National Wildflower Centre
- Halewood Country Park
- Catalyst (Widnes) - national museum of chemicals
- Pickerings
Pasture Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
- Widnes/Runcorn Bridge
Greater Manchester
- Dunham Massey Hall (National Trust) - new link path
to TPT
- Sale Water Park
- Chorlton Water Park
- Stockport Town Centre - National Hat Museum,
historic market, Stockport viaduct
Derbyshire
- Peak District National Park - moorland
scenery, reservoirs, wildlife
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