Introduction
After the exertions of dancing the night away at the Shaggy concert in Manchester last night, and with a league tennis match to play this evening, just a short walk was the order of the day today.
The weather was gloriously sunny, and probably too hot for a long walk. It did cloud up a little towards the end
Oakgrove is just off the the A523 Leek Road by the sadly closed and dilapidated former Fool’s Nook Inn about 3 iles south of Macclesfield.
The drive from Cheadle Hulme is about 35 minutes.
At 3.5 miles the walk can be completed in well under 2 hours but 650 feet (200m) of ascent does give it a bit of a kick!
For dog walking, this is a great walk, much of it being in a secluded wood or on fenced paths. No need to worry about other dogs. I saw no humans and no dogs on the walk!
The walk is on OS Explorer Map268.
I parked on the road easily enough just below the start point of the walk, there is only room for 2-3 vehicles , use postcode SK11 0JB.
Oakgrove and the Old Quarry Woods
The view from the car gave a hint of things to come – a quarry entrance and stunning woodland.
Here, I took the track to the right, rising through the woods.
There was already a lovely view down through the trees.
As the track opened up, I was struck by the perfect form of numerous beautiful foxgloves. This one was framed against a silver birch.
Where the valley opened out, a sharp left turn led me into the woodland, growing through a large disused quarry, indicated on the map. The woods were enchanting. The path runs along the top of a dyke which holds a man-made stream (leat) to its upper side. This would have provided water from a head stream to the quarry in days gone by.
A stunning spot in this weather, and a real hidden gem, returned to nature.
Eventually the path and leat arrive at the headstream, where there is an ancient sluice gate to manage the supplies of water to the man-made and natural courses.
Open Country To Fairyhough Farm
From here the path rises up the side of the valley, and soon emerges into more open country.
Joining a track, there is much shrubbery and young trees, again hinting at recent quarrying activity. The songs of chiffchaffs, willow warblers and blackcaps are prominent here. Sutton mast appeared in the near distance, and I saw a couple of members of the red deer herd bounding across the fields below the mast.
Another sharp left turn, onto a track towards the mast, begins the ascent to the Gritstone Trail. There are great views across the Cheshire plain, and southwest to The Cloud.
Turning to look back from where I had just walked, I was surprised to see that the quarrying industry is still very active !
Zooming in to the plain, the magnificent railway viaduct over the River Dane is entirely inactive, due to today’s train strike.
At Fairyhough Farm, the path runs through the yard at the front.
Gritstone Trail And The Descent
There are great views from here. Some people won’t be keen, but I found that the quarry added interest.
There is another active quarry to the north, and the city centre is visible in the hazy distance.
I turned left on meeting the Gritstone Trail, straight down the concrete farm track.
Hanging Gate Farm has a name which definitely over-promises and under-delivers!
The final half mile or so of the walk takes the road from the second active quarry, and it gets quite dusty as the occasional wagon rolls past.
I was soon back at the car, and I took the road back past Sutton Reservoir. I can see why there are restrictions on the use of Bosley Locks as there isn’t much water to keep keep refilling. This is all caused by the loss of Toddbrook Reservoir at Whaley Bridge following the dam collapse. Hopefully it will soon return to action and Sutton and Bosley Reservoirs can return to normal levels.
To summarise, the first half of the walk through the woods is stunning, and so unexpected. The views from the open country are also memorable. Definitely recommended for an enjoyable short walk.
And Finally……
Shaggy certainly knows how to put on a show. I loved his version of In The Summertime. Perfect for this week’s weather!