Cycle the Whitegate Way and Weaver Parkway

Bradford Road car park, Whitegate Station car park, Valley Road car park, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2PA

Add Cycle the Whitegate Way and Weaver Parkway to your Itinerary

Product Image

Book Tickets Online

Grade: Traffic free
Distance: 10km/6miles (Whitegate Way) 4km/2.5miles (Weaver Parkway)
Time: Approx 30-45 mins (Whitegate Way end to end) 30 mins (Weaver Parkway)
Map: OS Explorer 267
Terrain: Firm, level surface. Some sections can be wet/muddy in winter. Sections of the Weaver Parkway are undulating and there are some chicanes.
Barriers: N/A
Toilets: Whitegate Station picnic area (including accessible toilet), no toilets on site for Weaver Parkway

The Whitegate Way and Weaver Parkway are two traffic-free sections of NCN route 5 and 71 which can be linked via a short section on road cycling.

The Whitegate line was opened 1st June 1870 to transport salt from the mines and works along the west bank of the river Weaver. It took the most direct route, avoiding all villages of Whitegate and Sandiway, from Winsford to Cuddington where it joined the main Chester-Manchester line.

A passenger service opened a month later but closed after only 4 years because of competition with the main LNWR line. It was re-started in 1886 with three passenger trains a day. The journey was slow and uncomfortable because the trains were mixed and passengers had to wait while goods wagons were shunted on and off, into the many sidings. The line almost closed in 1958 but a joint arrangement between British Rail and ICI kept it in use to transport rock salt until 1966.

Today there are a few reminders of the past. The load gauge is still at Whitegate Station, and sections of track remain at Catsclough and Newchurch Common. Both these were busy crossings and the rails were set in wooden blocks to provide an event surface.

The Way is managed for the maximum benefit of wildlife as well as providing an attractive environment for people to enjoy. Much of the work is carried out with the help of volunteers as there is always plenty to do.

Summer brings fresh flowers such as harebell and toadflax. Butterflies and dragonflies enjoy the shelter of the Way and can be seen either busy feeding or resting in the sunshine.

The Weaver Parkway is an extensive area of open green space alongside the River Weaver on the fringe of Winsford. The Parkway was created on land steeped in the history of brine working and salt mining industries dating back to Roman times. Unusual plants and animals are present as a direct result of this unique legacy.

The River Weaver is perfect for watching wildlife and over four kilomteres of footpath and cycleway provide an ideal opportunity to explore the hidden parts of the Parkway.

Book Tickets

Opening Times

2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

Directions

TripAdvisor

Contact Us

Tel: 01606 271736

Tel: 01606 271736

What's Nearby

  1. Whitegate Way

    Welcome to Whitegate Way, where heavy goods trains laden with salt once lumbered to…

    2.53 miles away
  2. Sandiway Golf Course

    Sandiway Golf Club was established in 1920. The very highly-rated 18-hole course is set…

    3.44 miles away
  3. Cheshire Falconry

    An internationally reknowned centre: A visitor attraction for people interested in birds…

    4.02 miles away
  1. Cheshire Outdoors

    Cheshire Outdoors brings together a huge range of outdoor activities to pack a fun filled…

    4.02 miles away
  2. Weaver Hall Museum

    Life could be very tough for the people of mid-Cheshire but never more so than for those…

    4.03 miles away
  3. Hartford Golf Club

    A unique aspect of Hartford is how child and family friendly the course is, it boasts…

    4.11 miles away
  4. Blakemere Village

    Nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, Blakemere welcomes visitors all year…

    4.13 miles away
  5. Aqueduct Marina

    Aqueduct Marina is an established 147-berth marina and boatyard near Church Minshull, at…

    4.39 miles away
  6. Little Budworth Country Park

    First impressions of Little Budworth Country Park are dominated by woodland but amongst…

    4.4 miles away
  7. Shakerley Mere

    Enjoy a pleasant stroll around the lake, walk your dog or stop and watch the many…

    4.44 miles away
  8. Reclaimed World

    Reclaimed World is Cheshire's best kept secret. It's an Aladdin's cave and treasure trove…

    4.48 miles away
  9. Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre

    Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre is set in 50 acres in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire…

    5.18 miles away
  10. Stonyford Cottage Gardens

    The nursery and gardens lie in a sheltered valley on the edge of Delamere Forest. In this…

    5.29 miles away
  11. Anderton Boat Lift For Groups

    We are extremely sorry to inform our customers that the Anderton Boat Lift structure will…

    5.43 miles away
  12. Anderton Boat Lift

    Book one of our extended River Cruises along the picturesque Weaver Navigation (at 11…

    5.43 miles away
  13. Lion Salt Works

    Cheshire’s salt – the precious mineral on which this county sits – has been prized since…

    5.58 miles away
Previous Next

Related

Whitegate Way, Winsford

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss