Adlington Basin, Bow Stones and Lyme Park

Introduction

This walk almost joins the walk I completed last week but comes to Bow Stones from the opposite direction. I was surprised and delighted to find that I’d never previously walked the paths up from from Adlington Basin to Bow Stones.

Adlington Basin is a 20 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.

This 7.3 mile walk took 2 hours 45 minutes.

The weather was perfect at around 18 deg C, plenty of sun, and little wind.

The first and last miles are great for dogs to run off the lead, but the majority of the walk is not so good.

There is off road car parking at the start point, satnav SK10 4PF which is the postcode for The Miners Arms.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.

Adlington Basin To Bow Stones

I set off, crossing the Middlewood Way, past the Lyme Breeze cafe / restaurant, and over the Macclesfield Canal.

The route crossed easy well-marked paths over attractive summer farmland.

A short stretch down a minor road took me past The Coffee Tavern.

Turning left , the pretty lane led up towards Birchencliffe Farm.

At the farm, there is water on both sides of the road. It’s very picturesque, and I can’t believe I’ve not been here before.

Continuing on, I enjoyed the lovely gorse covered bank opposite. It must be stunning when in flower!

Now the track began to rise out of the wooded valleys, and the views are stunning.

At Bakestonedale Moor, there is a local heritage monument to the local coal industry. I loved this!

The plaque on the top tells the story of coal.

It’s now a lovely grassy track down the hill and left up the slope towards the Gritstone Trail.

The views are memorable.

On reaching the Gritstone Trail, last week’s walk down the Todd Brook Valley to Kettleshulme and Whaley Bridge appears.

The trail leads across the ridge to the ancient Saxon cross shafts known as Bow Stones.

Lyme Park

It is a National Trust site, but public access is free if you don’t take your car in.

Over the stile, and here are the lovely Highland Cattle.

It’s almost all downhill from here, and soon the path leads into Knights Wood.

Then it was on to the edge of the car park, and it felt very civilised all of a sudden.

So I turned sharp left up the road to Knott car park, and into Hase Bank.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the effect of rhododendrons, strangling the life out of native woods. Here, the National Trust has undertaken a big renewal programme.

These banks were covered in dense rhododendrons until about 6-8 years ago; now they are full of fresh life.

And all in all, it’s a lovely track to walk down to the West Gate park entrance.

Back To The Canal

After a short road stretch, I made my way to Redacre Hall Farm.

The path goes round to the right of the farm and across fields to reach the Macclesfield Canal.

Here, there is a beautiful display of yellow irises.

In places they are mixed with cow parsley.

And so, finally, my route took me past the numerous barges in the Adlington Basin.

And soon, I’m back at The Miners Arms.

It’s a lovely walk, with breath-taking views, and a lovely pub at the end if the fancy takes you!

And Finally….

Another new album from the prolific Mr Van Morrison.

The album is “What’s It Gonna Take”, and this is “Stage Name”.