Rossmill
Introduction and history
Rossmill was the first site to be managed by the Partnership. The site has picnic tables, pathways and a pony trail. The Bollin Valley Way also runs through Rossmill. It is much used by local people for walking, picnicking and exercising their dogs, and attracts pony-riders from a wider area.
Over the years the Partnership has thinned and under-planted the (mainly beech) woodlands with other trees such as oaks and manages the site to look as natural as possible. It is beautiful in spring when the bluebells and wood anemones are in flower and has particularly interesting fungi in autumn. It is also home to a rare black poplar tree.
In 1990, local school children helped plant 4,000 locally-grown wildflowers in two meadows: the upper, spring meadow, including ladys-smock (good for orange-tip butterflies), cowslip and ragged robin, to be cut July/August; and a lower, summer meadow, featuring toadflax, field scabious, yarrow, tansy and meadow cranesbill, cut in October. Wildflowers need meadows to be cut or grazed regularly (so that grass doesn’t choke the plants) and the cuttings removed (to stop the soil becoming too rich) - most wildflowers prefer poor soils. Because the soil was nutrient-rich to start with and favoured grasses, few wildflowers remain, but keep your eyes open for the survivors. In addition, look out for marsh woundwort and meadowsweet in the damp area north of the lower meadow; both have a distinctive scent – one pleasant, the other less so.
Getting to Rossmill
By Bus
19B, 19C Altrincham, Wythenshawe, Manchester Airport, World Freight Terminal circular via Hale. 285/6 Altrincham/Hale Barns circular. Full details: Traveline 0870 608 2 608, traveline@cheshire.gov.uk or 01625 534850 (Cheshire) 0161 228 7811 (Greater Manchester).
By Train
To Manchester Airport or Altrincham (full details: 08457 48 49 50) and then bus (see above).
By Bike
Please ring for a leaflet showing possible routes, mostly on-road
By Metrolink
To Altrincham from Manchester and then bus (see above).
By Car
(from M56) exit at junction 6 in the direction of Altrincham and turn left down Tithebarn Road in Hale Barns. Limited parking in the un-surfaced section of Rossmill Lane; please do not obstruct residents’ access.