East Cheshire Autumn Walks (with our favourite pit-stops!)
This autumn, explore the splendor of East Cheshire, from highpoints on the borders of the Peak District to grand historic estates. Whilst exploring East Cheshire, you may find yourself in need of refreshment, but don't worry, as there's an abundance of great places to fill your (walking) boots on your adventures! Here's a selection of some of our favourites:
Tatton Park, Knutsford
A visit to Tatton Park near Knutsford is a must! Set within 1000 acres with deer and woodland, this fascinating landscape is waiting to be explored and is perfect for an autumnal walk. A deer park since 1290, it is home to herds of Red and Fallow deer which roam freely in the ancient Parkland. Visitors are welcome to walk or cycle in the park for free. There are lots of great trails that provide wonderful walks with amazing viewpoints. Four legged friends are also welcome in the Parkland.
Whilst here, you can also enjoy 50 acres of award-winning glorious gardens, which are one of the most picturesque in England. There are many beautiful areas to explore including 19 different garden areas in total, with 12 additional features of special interest to discover as you wander around.
The beautiful 18th century mansion which sits in an elevated position is also worth a visit. The impressive portico of the south front dominates the view of the house from the parkland. It houses one of the National Trust's finest libraries and an outstanding collection of Gillow's of Lancaster furniture.
The former head Gardener’s Cottage, just inside the Stableyard, is the perfect location for a relaxing bite to eat, full of cosy, cottage character. Treat yourselves in one of the most beautiful settings in Cheshire.
Or you can pre-order a takeaway picnic below and there are also takeaway refreshments available from The Stables Restaurant.
Wizardly Walk at Alderley Edge
An easy-access circular walk in the heart of the Cheshire countryside exploring mining remains and learning about the popular legend of Alderley Edge. Let your imaginations run wild with a walk through the legend-filled woods of Alderley Edge to Stormy Point, the setting for Alan Garner's novel The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.
Notes:
Start at Macclesfield Road, Nether Alderley, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4UB.
National Trust car park, grid ref: SJ859773
The nearby roadside Wizard Restaurant, Alderley Edge, celebrates the popular legend of Alderley Edge, in a traditional tale featuring a wizard on a white mare, magic and treasure. Serving modern British food in a traditional dog friendly pub setting with an enviable reputation for quality food and service in an informal and relaxed setting.
The Wizard, Macclesfield Road, Macclesfield, SK10 4UB. Tel: 01625 584000
Bosley Cloud
Bosley Cloud is a prominent hill situated within Cheshire's Peak District on the border between Cheshire and Staffordshire. It is 343 metres (1,125 ft) in height making it one of the highest hills in the area and one of the best places to see spectacular views of Cheshire.
Try this circular 4 km / 2½ mile walk right up onto the top of Bosley Cloud and experience stunning views over the Cheshire Plain.
Feel on top of the world after a little hard work walking up hill onto the summit of Bosley Cloud. You can see this outcrop from miles around and from the top you can see across the whole of the Cheshire Plan and along the gritstone ridge of Cheshire’s Peak District.
Notes:
Postcode for Timbersbrook carpark for satnav is CW12 3PP, OS grid reference SJ 895 627.
Free car parking is available
For refreshments afterwards, why not have lunch at The Waggon & Horses, Eaton, Nr Congleton.
Renowned locally for its home cooked food and roaring log fires, it’s the perfect place for a bite to eat by the open fire after your walk. Open 7 days a week for both lunch and evening meals.
The Waggon & Horses, Manchester Rd, Eaton, CW12 2JD. Tel: 01260 224229
Middlewood Way
The scenic ten-mile Middlewood Way provides lots of opportunities for walking, cycling and horse-riding and is a former railway line that fell victim to Beeching’s axe in 1970. It reopened 15 years later as a relatively level walking and cycle path (which also makes it an option for those who use wheelchairs and buggies).
Local circular walks can be created using the footpath network and the adjacent canal towpath. Footpaths reach into the Peak District foothills to the east and the Cheshire Plain to the west. From Higher Poynton footpaths lead to Lyme Park and Lyme Hall. Circular walks starting from Bollington and Nelson Pit Visitor Centre are available to download as leaflets from: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers
The Ordnance Survey Explorer map 268 is recommended for route planning and navigation.
Wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of interest throughout the year. The bridges provide good roosting sites for bats, and various species can be seen at dusk including pipistrelles and noctules along the Middlewood Way and Daubenton’s along the canal.
To warm up afterwards, visit The Railway, Marple, just by the station. Serving casked ales from their award-winning cellar and offering a large lunch menu with home-booked food at great affordable prices. Four legged friends are only allowed outside though.
The Railway, 223 Stockport Road, Rose Hill, Stockport, SK6 6EN. Tel: 0161 427 2146.
Bollin Valley Way
The Bollin Valley Way is a 25 mile (40 km) recreational path shadowing the course of the River Bollin that skirts the National Trust’s Dunham Massey. The route starts at Macclesfield Riverside Park and finishes in Partington giving walkers a feel of the valley's variety. It takes in fields and woodlands, towns and villages, passes around Manchester Airport and ends up in the industrial area near the Manchester Ship Canal.
The Way acts as a spine to the valley linking many local places of interest in one walking route. Sections of the Bollin Valley Way can also be incorporated into shorter circular walks.
Afterwards enjoy some nice grub and sit by the fire at the historic Swan with Two Nicks (Little Bollington) which runs close by.
Swan with Two Nicks, Park Lane, Little Bollington, Altrincham, WA14 4TJ. Tel: 0161 928 2914.
Teggs Nose Country Park
Teggs Nose Country Park is located close to Macclesfield in Cheshire on the western edge of the Peak District National Park with stunning views of the park and across the Cheshire plain.
Cycling and horse riding are also popular in the area, along with fishing, rock climbing and in winter conditions it is a favoured place for sledging with the exposed moorland hills often covered in snow.
There is evidence of activity in the area since the Bronze age, including a Burial Chamber and lots of examples of how the Country Park has been shaped by its past use for quarrying, from the 16th century to as recently as 1955.
The country park is ideal for dog walking and there is a lovely short 2.5mile walk from the Visitor Centre and car park off Old Buxton Road with great views towards Macclesfield Forest.
The main paths are good walking routes but take care especially with young children around the quarry workings and equipment as there are many steep drops around the rock faces.
You will reach the Tegg’s Nose summit at a height of 380 metres where there are more great views across Macclesfield Forest and Tegg’s Nose and Bottoms Reservoir as well as across Macclesfield and towards the Telecom Tower on Sutton Common.
For refreshments, visit the family run and dog friendly Tegg’s Nose Tea Room serving delicious homemade cakes, fresh light lunches made with quality local produce, artisan coffee and loose teas.
Or if you’re preferring a pub setting, head to the nearby Leather’s Smithy pub at Macclesfield Forest, a popular haunt with walkers and country lovers with real fires. Serving locally sourced food offering daily specials inspired by seasonal ingredients and a recently introduced pizza menu which has had really positive feedback!
Teggs Nose Tea Room, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP.
Leather’s Smithy, Clarke Lane, Langley, Macclesfield, SK11 0NE. Tel: 01260 252313
White Nancy Circular Walk
Hike up White Nancy, the iconic Grade II listed folly that dominates the Cheshire Plain. It's a structure without doors or windows, comically shaped and perched on a beautiful spot above Bollington which enjoys spectacular views over Cheshire. On a clear day you can even see as far as Snowdonia and the coast at Liverpool, North Wales and the windmills off the Wirral peninsula. It was used for centuries as a warning beacon of invasion and was built in 1817 by the Gaskell family of North End Farm and Ingersley Hall, in belated commemoration of the British victory at Waterloo in 1815.
The White Nancy Circular Walk is a 5.1km loop trail that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. The walk starts on Clarke Lane Kerridge SK10 5AH at the canal bridge.
If you’re looking for some refreshments before or afterwards, head to The Bulls Head, Kerridge. A 17th century pub renowned for its excellent home cooked food and warm welcome. It serves 3 cask ales and has a wide selection of wines.
The Bulls Head, 2 Oak Lane, Kerridge, Macclesfield, SK10 5BD. Tel: 01625 575522
Header image credit: Andrew Huggett
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