River Dane

The River Dane where it flows through Rudheath Common, Northwich, is a bit of a hidden gem. Literally, as in its deep little valley you wouldn't realise it was there until you fell into it. Rising in the Peak District, the Dane is the main tributary of the Weaver, which it joins a mile or so downstream in Northwich town centre. So what's it like? On the warm August day these pics were taken the river was in spate after heavy rain,  hence the muddy appearance. The water temperature was around 15C, with the current fast enough for serious counter-current training. Like most small, fast flowing rivers the depth varies greatly. When wading in it one second you are up to your ankles, the next you can be in to your shoulders. However as long as you are a good swimmer there's very little chance of getting into trouble, as shallow water is never far away, and anyway the river is only about 3m wide. The west bank adjoins farmland, and swimming down in a flower-lined little valley you wouldn’t believe you were just a mile or so from the busy Northwich town centre. Bear in mind that canoeists also use the Dane, so please give them the deeper water to pass. And the good news for paddlers is that you can put-in anywhere you want along this stretch of the river.  You can swim in the river at Victoria Park but bear in mind you are in the town centre, so you'll have to watch out for the shopping trolleys and other rubbish that undesirables see fit to dump into our rivers.

The Dane has full public navigation rights so you are entitled to swim in it. The water quality is excellent and the river has a very pleasant earthy smell. A footpath runs along the he east bank of the river all the way to the town centre, and Rudheath Common is common land. The Dane is a trout stream so a water bailiff may check that you're not poaching. The one I spoke to was very nice, bade me a good day and ruefully wished that he could join me! The local angling club look after the river for all users, so please don’t leave litter or cause any damage.

Getting there is easy - just follow the map. There is access from the A556 Northwich Bypass on the left about ½ mile NE of the Davenham roundabout - turn left immediately after the small cemetery. Alternatively you can park in Northwich town centre and follow the river through Victoria Park (the blue "i" symbol upper left) - once under the railway viaduct you're on the Common. Northwich railway station is about 20 minutes walk from the Common, while plenty of buses stop in the town centre itself.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

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