Turf Lea, Marple To Middlewood, All Around High Lane

Introduction

After an early morning call at our son Jordan’s house, There is no better place from which to start a walk. I was particularly keen to see the bluebells in Prince’s Wood at Higher Poynton. This made for a fantastic walk, circumnavigating High Lane, taking in a canal, two railway lines and three golf courses.

Turf Lea is 20-25 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.

This seven and a half mile walk is mainly on tracks with a few road sections, and a great walk for a dog. I wish Rolo had been at home, he would have loved it! It took 3 hours 15 minutes.

After a dull start the weather soon brightened up and there were plenty of sunny spells.

I parked at Turf Lea, but if you tackle it, then I’d suggest parking on the abandoned section of the old A6 near Norbury Hollow, between the Rising Sun, Hazel Grove, and the Middlewood Way / High Lane.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.

Turf Lea to Threaphurst Lane

I walked up Turf Lea to the junction with Wybersley Road (it’s pronounced “wibbersley”, as in winter not as in why). Crossing the road, I followed a drive past the rather dilapidated cottages, then a track.

The path enters another field where it’s well defined and at the top of a short stretch, the cityscape to Manchester appears.

The path goes down to Windlehurst Road, and I walked down and over the Macclesfield Canal.

After passing the turning down Torkington Road, a path goes right through a field, and I followed this past a handsome oak, over a couple of fields, and then across the Middlewood Way into Torkington Road, lower down.

About 50 metres along the road I turned left along Threaphurst Lane. I have no recollection of ever using this pretty lane on foot or by car previously. Clough House Farm is very attractive.

Where the road turns sharp left I left it on a path to the right, into Hazel Grove golf course.

Hazel Grove Golf Course To The Macclesfield Canal

Traversing the course, there are few golfers around.

There is a bridge over the Manchester – Sheffield railway line, near the entrance of Disley Tunnel.

The road to Norbury Hollow is full of interest. A 3 story converted building, a level crossing over the Buxton line, a cobbled road, and a fine bridge over the brook.

After the bridge, after marvelling at the bluebells on the bank, I turned right along a drive.

Passing a bungalow, I head left up into a very large field. At the end of the field, the path enters a copse. A short way along I took the left fork which heads along an embankment. This must have had some historic industrial purpose, but now it’s nature!

Continuing, I pass a pond, and one of those pointless stiles that isn’t in a fence or hedge!

This is Prince’s Wood, famed for its bluebells at this time of year.

On reaching Prince’s Incline I head uphill, glimpsing the first green of Davenport Golf Club through the trees.

The history of the Poynton Inclines is outlined on an Information Board.

It’s a nice easy stroll up to the Macclesfield Canal, where I turned left.

People on, or by the canals seem to live a different sort of life from mine.

At the first bridge I crossed the water and took a path behind the folly pictured above right. After a short distance a path heads down to the right.

Macclesfield Canal To Turf Lea

I’ve never been down here before. It’s wonderful!

The path now follows the Ladybrook Trail towards Lyme Park and Disley.

The brook marks the East Cheshire / Stockport boundary and the path criss-crosses it.

It’s beautiful here.

And there are some marvellous properties round here, as I return towards the A6.

After crossing the A6, I took the path directly opposite the Lyme Park entrance, up into the woods.

It’s little used, as most people head into the Park.

OK, there’s some traffic noise, but it’s a lovely walk. Beware the hidden, steep edge of the old quarry if you walk this way.

Emerging onto Jackson’s Edge Road, I went left. After the traffic lights, I took the second path to the right, straight onto Disley Golf Course, after admiring the view the other way to Lyme Park.

The course is in pristine condition, ready for the Poynton Baptist Church Golf Society event tomorrow. Unfortunately I won’t be able to join the competition, which is a shame!

After crossing the course I take the path left into Stanleyhall Wood, soon emerging into a dell.

Here, I took the path up the bank to the left of the lonely old chimney of the former bleach works.

Over the brow, the cottages of Turf Lea appear in the foreground. I turned right, but if you do the walk from another starting point continue ahead to emerge further up the road.

This is a really good walk, on the doorstep, full of beautiful places and points of interest. Unbeatable!

And Finally….

This is from a new album by Graham Day. The album is The Master Of None, and this is Stranger On A Joyride.

An old school sound!