Introduction
We are so lucky to have the beautiful National Trust site at Lyme Park on our doorstep. So, on a relatively warm, windy November day it was good to find time for a quick 2 mile walk. We were back home within 3 hours of leaving.
The cafe was open for take-aways and the toilets are also open.
Drive time – 25 minutes each way. We parked in the main park and it’s free as we are members – it’s quite expensive if you’re not.
There are restrictions on areas where dogs can be let off the lead and these are advertised at the refreshment kiosk.
We didn’t need the OS Map as we are familiar with this short route.
Around The Car Park
There is an imposing view of the hall from here, as well as the lovely pond. We saw a confused black-headed gull in summer plumage – strange.
Gritstone Trail
We left the car park and headed through a gate onto the Gritstone Trail. The National Trust have built wood dens around the park. Yes, Caroline – they are meant for children!
The air is clear today, and the views across the sun-soaked City of Manchester are amazing.
Where the Gritstone Trail enters Knightslow Wood, we took a right, following the wall, and at the end of the wood we turned left, staying inside the wall, and climbing the edge of Knights Low, with views into the valley below.
The path rejoins the Gritstone Trail and passes out of the wood. On leaving the wood, we didn’t follow the Gritstone Trail, but turned left following the wall on the outside of the wood, and coming up close to the beautiful Highland cattle.
Highland Cattle
The Lantern
At the end of the wall we crossed the stile and headed right up towards the Lantern Wood. When we reached the gate we went through and turned left following the fence, rather than walking up to The Lantern folly.
We exited the small copse and continued ahead, then left down towards a gate and the famous Cage then came into view.
The Cage
After the gate we came to a track where we turned left to return to the main entrance of Lyme Hall.
The Hall
From here it was just a short walk down to the car park, and we headed off to the cafe for a tea and hot chocolate, and one of us had a bowl of potato wedges, while the other waited for lunch at home!
And Finally
This is a great anti-war song released at the beginning of this year. WARNING – SOME EXPLICIT LANGUAGE – DON’T PLAY WITH CHILDREN PRESENT!