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62<br />
The ideal walk at this time of year comprises of a short route<br />
that is crowded with views, with nature and is mostly firm<br />
underfoot. This three-mile circular walk certainly ticks all<br />
those boxes, and it is a perfect winter walk for all the family.<br />
Look out for the variety of birds and squirrels by the Dam.<br />
Carr Mill<br />
by Chris Pearce<br />
Distance: 3 miles Difficulty: Easy<br />
Park up in the vicinity of the Masons Arms on Carr Mill<br />
Road in Billinge (WN5 7TY). This is a proper old-fashioned<br />
country pub with a roaring fire in winter, a good selection<br />
of real ales and is also dog friendly.<br />
Head to the bottom of Carr Mill Road and take a right<br />
turn at a large stone cottage and go down the signposted<br />
bridle path. Follow this path for almost ½ mile, passing<br />
Otter’s Swift Farm and a couple of other footpaths on<br />
the left. Once you pass the layby on the right, take the<br />
left turn into Carr Mill and you will immediately spot the<br />
viaduct on the left.<br />
Do not cross the viaduct, instead follow the path around<br />
the right-hand side of the Dam.<br />
The Dam is Merseyside’s largest inland body of water<br />
and it used to be a mill pond built to power Carr’s Corn<br />
Mill, part of Lord Gerard’s estate. It was hugely expanded<br />
in the 1750’s to provide water to the<br />
Sankey Canal, located about a mile away.<br />
Carr Mill was used an entertainment<br />
complex in the late fifties/early sixties,<br />
complete with castle and fairground,<br />
but is now used by walkers, anglers, and<br />
water sports enthusiasts.<br />
Once you reach the pub at the far end of<br />
the Dam, bear left round the banks and<br />
follow the rough surfaces of Garswood<br />
Old Road, which follows the perimeter of
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