1. Leave the carpark east into the woods, following the wide gravel track next to the large mounting block at the furthest end of the car park. Follow this track to the end of the woods. Make sure to follow the fingerposts on the ground because there are lots of path junctions here. The bridleway curves left round a small mound before exiting the woods onto a narrow fence lined path heading down hill. Cross a small stream using the wooden planks on the ground and continue out the other side onto a tarmac lane with several impressive houses to either side.

2. A lane will join you from the left, ride straight past several dairy cow fields until you reach a cross roads and a holiday park on your right. Turn right at these cross roads and head sharply downhill on this lane, the road then heads back uphill, over the railway line. There is a bridleway running parallel to the road here if you wish. Take the gap in the hedge on the left and follow the bridleway the other side of the hedge to the road.

3. Pop back out onto the road and cross over here through a wooden chicane onto the Oakmere Way. This route skirts the quarry so expect to see and hear diggers and dumper trucks. The quarry workings don’t come close to the bridleway. This track is grassy the whole way and undulating – great canter training for event horses. Canter the whole stretch if you can or walk the downhills and blast the uphills.

4. At the end of the quarry, pass through a bridleway gate onto a gravel track with a hedge on your right and woods on the left. There is a golf course to the right so watch out for flying golf balls! Just before the agricultural buildings and metal gate, turn left into the coppice, through the bridleway gate and wind your way through the trees to another gate.

5. Turn right here and take the dirt bridleway track (not the access road!) The bridleway here runs parallel to the entrace driveway to the golf course. Stick to the bridleway because there really isn’t enough room for a horse and car to pass here. The bridleway crosses over the driveway by a fancy electric gate and continues parallel on the other side, behind a row of new build houses. Watch out for the slippery tree routes here.

6. Pop out onto the end of the driveway just past the mini roundabout, turn right and cross over onto the main entrance to Delamere. This road (despite being a dead end that only goes to Delamere) is always really busy so turn right into the Railway Station car park and pick up the path through the woods here. This path runs between the entrance road and the railway line and keeps you safe.

7. You will re-emerge by the main car park and visitor centre. Stay right and ride over the railway bridge. Take the first right, signed Go Ape. NOTE: If Go Ape is taking place, you may feel more comfortable continuing straight and taking the second right turn instead. The zipline passes straight over the bridleway which might take some horses by surprise! It will be obvious if it’s open or not though. Continue along this path until you reach the corner of the lake again. Carry on around the lake until you reach your starting point. Turn right and cross back over the busy road to Whitegate Car Park.

NOTE: There are talks of an extension being added to the Oakmere Way to make an offroad loop around the quarry and avoid the road section back.