~White Nancy & Andrew's Knob!~
16th February 2013
Or, put another way, A Bollington Circular.
The Macclesfield Canal
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Bollington Viaduct
Bollington is close to Macclesfield in East Cheshire, my chosen start point for this walk is the free car park in the shadow of the Bollington Railway Viaduct - line closed, route now part of The Middlewood Way. Start time of 10:35hrs.
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Looking South |
Looking North |
On The Viaduct
Everyone notices the monument perched high above Bollington at the sharp end of The Saddle of Kerridge, such is my first target of the day.
Song Thrush
The Middlewood Way is a 10 mile route following the line of the defunct Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway - opened in 1869 and closed in 1970.
The Middlewood Way
Here at Clarke Lane, I leave the trackbed and head east and up the hill to Oak Lane.
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Over The Canal |
Saddle of Kerridge |
There are a few possible routes on to The Saddle of Kerridge from Oak Lane, mine went through a corner of Bridge Quarry - a stone quarry which occuplies much of the west side of the "saddle".
White Nancy
This structure was built in 1817 by a local man, John Gaskell, to commemorate victory at The Battle of Waterloo. From this elevated position it is possilbe to see for many miles in each direction. I could watch areoplanes descend to Manchester Airport and just make out the radio telescope at Jodrell Bank.
Bollington from White Nancy
To the left of the photo, you might be able to see a tall brick chimney, this belongs to Clarence Mill - later. The highpoint in the distance is Nab Head. Descending off the hill along the path shown, my route then turned right (east) for Ingersley Vale, south-east of Bollington.
Rainow Mill
Rainow Mill in Ingersley Vale is a mess and is undergoing redevelopment to residential use. I join "The Gritstone Trail" and head for Oakenbank and a foray into The Peak District National Park.
View Back to White Nancy
The view back to White Nancy from the field adjacent to Savio House - the clue is in the name. A retreat for people in need of retreating.
Oakenbank
Berristall Hall
My walk heads across fields to Berristall Hall, dipping in and out of Harrop Brook on the way.
Footbridge in Harrop Brook
Berristall Hall Farm
A lively location with all manner of aquatic birds, sheep, horses etc.
To Andrew's Knob
The walk up the wallside is heading for a feature marked on the map as "Andrew's Knob".
Bakestonedale Moor
Bakestonedale Moor is seen across the gentle sloping fields of Andrew's Knob. Google "Andrew's Knob" for more photos etc.
Quarry on Andrew's Knob
The abandoned stone quarry is a magnet for rubbish and worn tyres etc. This is a great shame and all of this is within the Peak District National Park - access is only by farm road/track.
Bakestonedale Farm
A narrow country road winds its way up from Pott Shrigley and passes the farm on the way to The White Peak area of Derbyshire.
Mike on his Bike
Small world? Mike is a business associate of mine and he stopped to say "hello". I think we were equally surprised to see each other in this remote part of east Cheshire.
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Moorside Lane |
North Cheshire Way |
I chose to extend the walk and therefore missed the village of Pott Shrigley (shame, one of my targets!). Moorside Lane heads north from Bakestonedale Road and half a mile or so up the road, a lane leads off to the left and heads for Birchencliffe - a small part of my walk on The North Cheshire Way.
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The Pools of Birchencliffe |
Birchencliffe Farm |
The farm has been converted to many desirable residences, what a place to live! I spoke to one lady on her doorstep and asked her if she lived here. "Yes" ..."Fantastic" said I and carried on with the walk. I was just thinking how useful it would be for a small cafe to be located around here, when....
The Coffee Tavern
Highly recommended by this walker. It can be found on Shrigley Road, just south of Unwinpool. Inside is a polished wood floor with many tables. One balcony offers comfy chairs for "coffee" drinkers; another has a range of crafts for sale. The menu is extensive and the venue can be booked for functions. Closed on Tuesdays. What do folk do on Tuesdays? This unloved day seems to get a bad press.
Lockgate Farm Fields
At Unwinpool, the route heads back into fields and passes Lockgate Farm on the way to Adlington Basin at Wood Lanes on the Macclesfield Canal. Rather muddy in places.
Adlington Basin
And so to a three mile walk along the canal and back to Bollington.
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White Nancy from the Towpath |
Approaching Clarence Mill |
Song Thrush 2
Clarence Mill
Clarence Mill is a former cotton spinning mill, now business and residential units. It was built and modified between 1834 and 1877.
Clarence Mill by The Macclesfield Canal
In the interest of research, I felt obliged to try out the cafe - on the ground floor, see sunshade.
Walkers: Just Me.
Time taken: 6 hours over a distance of about 12 miles, including two refreshment breaks.
Route: Bollington Viaduct, Middlewood Way to Clarke Lane, Oak Lane, Bridge Quarry, Saddle of Kerridge and White Nancy. Ingersley Vale, Oakenbank, Harrop Brook, Berristall Hall Farm, Andrew's Knob, Bakestonedale Road, Moorside Lane, Birchencliffe, Unwinpool, Lockgate Farm, Adlington Basin and then the Macclesfield Canal back to Clarence Mill and Bollington.
Weather: Sunny and calm - Springlike!
Greetings: Lots of smiley faces in the "Happy Valley" of Bollington and surrounding areas.
Richard's Refreshment Review: The Coffee Tavern is a hidden gem! SJ 943 806. The Cafe Waterside at Clarence Mill is also very good, but not hidden! I'd visit either or both again, the latter having a book behind the back upright of every chair!
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2013 ©
Take me back to the start ....