Medium Walks Group

✈ Woodford - 17th June 2026 💀

Some of you may remember our visit to the Aviator pub in Woodford a little over two years ago. For the June walk we will be returning to the area but walking a variation on the previous route, and basing ourselves on a much older public house, the Davenport Arms. Owned by Robinsons Brewery, this dates back to the 18th century and is known locally as the Thief's Neck, a reference to the Davenport coat of arms, which features a felon with a rope around his neck. As hereditary foresters and master sergeants to the King's Macclesfield Forest, the Davenport family held the absolute power to execute poachers and criminals without a trial. Local legend states that a tree directly outside the pub was historically used to carry out these hangings.

Walk Stats

12.3 km (7.6 miles), total ascent 63 m.

Walk Description

After turning right onto Chester Road, we take Old Hall Lane on the left. At Old Hall Farm we turn onto fields and soon cross the River Dean, which forms the boundary between Stockport Metropolitan Borough and Cheshire at this point. We continue towards Lumb Farm and then cross further fields to meet Wilmslow Road near Dandy Farm.

A couple of hundred metres along this road, we take a path on the left that heads south and eventually reaches Bonis Hall Lane near Ivy Cottage. Crossing over the lane, we pick up the North Cheshire Way and soon afterwards we arrive at an ancient moat. Here we turn to the north-west, and after almost a kilometre, we intersect Mill Lane.

We turn right along the lane and where the NCW continues on the tarmac, we take a path heading north which shortly crosses Red Brook. Near Gibson Wood we turn to the left and follow a long straight course for almost a kilometre to a Golf Centre. Soon, we reach Shirdfold Farm and then cross the A523.

A concessionary path on the other side of the main road leads us over the former runway of Woodford Aerodrome, and then we cross back to the other side af the road at Bridleway Farm. On reaching the far side of a large field, we enter the housing estate known as Woodford Garden Village, built on the site of the Former AVRO aviation works.

Cutting through part of the estate leads us to a field path that winds its way past small ponds and eventually reaches Chester Road a short step from the Davenport Arms.

Route Map

Click this link for an image showing the walk route on OS mapping: Woodford

Walk Start Point

Davenport Arms, 550 Chester Road, Woodford, Stockport SK7 1PS

OS Grid Ref: SJ 88611 82420

Google Maps Ref: 53.338558 , -2.1724994

what3words Ref: ///garage.shared.over

Plus Code: 9C5V8RQH+C2

Drive time from Holmes Chapel: 30 minutes

Use the map below to get directions to the start point in Google Maps:

Anyone in need of help in arranging transport to the walk please contact the walk leader. Car sharing is encouraged for transport to u3a walks for social and environmental reasons.

Lunch

Food will be available at the Davenport Arms after the walk. Click here for the menu.

Those wishing to eat please let me know before WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE, with a MENU CHOICE, in case we need to pre-order.

Timing

Meet-Up for Car Shares: 09:00 at Holmes Chapel Community Centre car park. Would anyone NOT planning to meet here, but going straight to the walk start point, PLEASE LET THE LEADER KNOW, so he knows where to expect you.

Walk Start Meet-Up: 09:40 for 09:50 start

Walk Finish: 13:30

Lunch Booking: 13:45