A Little Wizardry – Alderley Edge

Rain Arriving Soon

The forecast for today has been consistent – it’s going to rain from mid-morning.

So, I planned an early start, a short drive, and a short walk!

The downside to an early start is fighting through the school / rush hour traffic. I left home at 8.05, and a 20 minute journey took 35 minutes.

My starting point for the walk was the National Trust car park at Alderley Edge. I’ve walked from here 10s, if not 100s of times before, but the route I had planned turned out to be quite delightful. Incredibly, about a third of it was on paths / tracks / lanes I’ve not previously trodden.

The walk is a little over 3.5 miles, and took an hour and a half.

For dog walkers, around half of the route is across areas where the lead can be dispensed with. The Edge itself is very popular with dog walkers.

OS Explorer Map 268

As a member, I was happy to use the NT car park for free, but there is free off-road parking before reaching the NT location when coming up from the village. There are toilets at the car park.

Bradford Lane

I left the car park via the path to the left of the toilet block and crossed the road (B5087) to walk down the road immediately opposite, bearing right at the end and passing Bradford Lodge (pictured).

There is then a mobile home park on the right, after which the lane becomes a rough track of cobbles and brick. Today, the lane was flanked by spectacular swathes of bluebells.

Immediately after Bradford House I took the path to the right. At the rear of the house is the wonderful wizard tree sculpture.

The path skirts the fields and enters a copse with a small stream.

Artists Lane

Emerging onto Artists Lane I turned right, passing another fine tree sculpture.

Shortly after passing Topps Farm, I took the path to the left, and after heading uphill, a left turn revealed views to the south west and Jodrell Bank, though visibility was poor, so the photos I took haven’t made it to the blog!

At White Barn Farm a raised flower bed was much more photogenic!

Mansions

At the end of the farm drive, a path to the right crossed a couple of fields, and led down a wooded track back to the main road. I crossed here and down Underwood Road, and then a right and left took me onto the delightful cobbled street that is Swiss Hill. The hill comes out on Mottram Road opposite the Tennis and Cricket Club.

Turning right and right again I head up Squirrels Jump. This whole area is characterised by ridiculously large houses, this being the domain of footballers and, of course, The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

And who wouldn’t love to live in Squirrels Jump?!

And why have one Roller on the drive when you can afford two?

These properties, on the rise of The Edge have stunning views, though they are north facing.

Classic Alderley Edge

At the head of Squirrels Jump, I enter the National Trust estate.

The steep sided Edge is incredibly green!

And as it’s north facing, the trees grow incredibly tall as they seek out light.

Now, comes the climb, aided by steps in the bank.

I came out on a path below impressive rock formations.

Another few steps up, and I emerged at the classic Alderley Edge viewpoint!

I headed along the top of the Edge, over the “Armada Beacon” point, keeping the road within earshot to my right, and soon returned to the car park, just as the first spots of rain were falling.

This was another walk full of interest, and within the compass of most casual walkers.

And Finally…..

Paul Weller has a new album, “Fat Pop”, out. This is “Moving Canvas”