Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Around Woodford

PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing

The Davenport Arms (Thief’s Neck)

At the end of a brisk walk in the cold winter months, you can’t beat the comfort of a classic village pub with a roaring fire, together with a quality, well-earned pint. The Davenport Arms fits the bill perfectly with an inviting and cosy space, filled with delightful character, which you will find difficult to leave. The impressive double-sided wood-burner is as warm as the welcome from the Hallworth family, who have been expertly running the pub for 90 years. Numerous awards have been won over this time, including one marking 35 continuous years in the Good Beer Guide. On my last visit, the Robinsons cask beers available were Unicorn, Wizard and Dizzy Blonde. The excellent home-made food is recommended.

Bus Information

The bus required for this walk is the 42B, which runs hourly between Manchester and Woodford. The bus route passes through Fallowfield, Withington, Didsbury, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme and Bramhall. We will leave the bus at the ‘Copperfield Road’ stop (ask the bus driver if in doubt), which is just after the bus turns left from Grove Lane, on the western edge of Bramhall.

Davenport Arms After our walk and pub visit, we rejoin the same bus at Woodford. There are a number of ticket options, but I would recommend an all-day bus ticket for value and convenience. The last bus leaves Woodford just before 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and 7.10pm on Sunday. For full timetable information visit tfgm.com or bustimes.org.

The Walk

This two-and-a-half-mile walk is flat, with a number of stiles and gates on the route. It passes through some fields which will be muddy after bad weather, so hiking boots are recommended. Don’t forget to close farm gates after you pass through them. The OS Explorer Map is 268 Wilmslow, Macclesfield & Congleton (OS app also available).

After getting off the bus at Copperfield Road, walk back along Acre Lane from where the bus came, towards the main road. Turn left at the junction and walk along Grove Lane for half a mile until you go over the A555 bypass. Immediately afterwards, turn right and walk along Dairy House Lane for 300 yards. Don't take the path on the right but walk on the pavement next to the road, where we have our first countryside views.

Aviator Stay with the road as it bends to the left, but when it then bends right continue straight ahead along the narrower road. After 500 yards we reach a private dwelling’s metal gates. Walk through a wooden gate to the right into a field on the other side. Our route is now to the stile on the opposite corner of the field; however, our right of way is anti-clockwise around the edge of the field. When you get to the stile, follow the arrow marker and continue straight ahead at the next field for 200 yards, to the other side, then left along the edge of the field for a further 100 yards towards a house and over a stile. Turn left and walk along the country lane for half a mile until we reach Blossoms Lane.

We now turn right and follow the quiet road for 300 yards until we reach Church Lane. Take a right here, then after 100 yards we leave the road over a stile on the left into a field. Walk straight ahead over the next stile and straight ahead again in the next field, keeping the hedgerow on your left for 200 yards, then climb over the stile. Walk into the next field and keep to the left side in the same direction as before with the church ahead and to the right. At the end of the field, walk through the small metal gate, then left to another gate and right along the track until you reach the main road. Turn right here and, after 100 yards, the Davenport Arms is on your right for your well-deserved pint.

On exiting the pub to catch the 42B bus back, turn right and walk along the main road for 100 yards where you will find the bus stop. If further refreshment is required, getting off the bus after three stops will bring you to the newly-built Aviator, owned by JW Lees. Constructed on the site of the former Woodford Aerodrome, an impressive new building now awaits that has been skilfully furnished with quality fittings throughout. The home-cooked food is popular here, with an extensive menu on offer. Drinkers are also catered for, with JW Lees Bitter and MPA available on cask when I last visited.

For full pub details, including opening times, visit WhatPub.com.

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