Redesmere, Heskey Wood and Siddington Church

Introduction

With a tennis match to play tonight, I settled on a short, easy , local walk today. But don’t be deceived, this is a lovely summer stroll.

It was a lovely walking day, 17 degC, mainly sunny,but some big clouds developing too.

The car park at Redesmere, just south of Alderley Edge, is 20 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.

The walk is 5 miles and it took 2 hours 15 minutes.

For dog walkers it’s mixed. This is dairy farming country, and I was fortunate to avoid the cattle today. There’s also a tricky short section on the B5392 and a couple of traditional stiles. Yet, there are some long sections on tracks, paths and woods where dogs will love it!

I parked in the roadside car park at Redesmere. Turn left off the A34 just after Siddington Village Hall, postcode SK11 9JR.

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.

Redesmere To Hazelwall

Redesmere is a lovely spot to just sit in the car and watch the birds, or get out and feed them. It is popular with families and with the less mobile, and there is often an ice cream van doing good business.

I was greeted by the usual welcome party.

Heading along the road, there were further views through the trees, before I reached the path left into a field.

The field had a smattering of cows who had no interest in me.

The path traverses the wood and soon I took the lane on the right. It’s a pretty lane with several pretty cottages and a stream alongside it.

At the end of the lane I crossed the road to take the path opposite, into a field. It can be very muddy here, but it’s not too bad in midsummer. The path rises and offers lovely views back towards Redesmere.

The path crosses the fields to the lovely farmhouse and pond at Hazelwall.

Hazelwall To Crabtree Moss Farm

The pond and garden are pretty from the other side too.

After crossing the B5392, the route takes to the fields from where there are views of the hills to the east, with the familiar landmarks of Shutlingsloe and Sutton mast.

The track drops down through the pretty Heskey Wood.

After crossing Snape Brook, the route reaches Crabtree Moss Farm where the two farmhouses have a joining corridor room to create a splendid home.

Crabtree Moss Farm To Redesmere

Beyond Marton Lane and Marton Gate Farm, a concrete track leads to Northwood Farm where a permissive path creates a shortcut to avoid the farmyard.

The fields lead to a stile hidden in the ferns. This would be tricky with a dog!

A couple more fields and I arrived at the 16th Century Siddington Church.

It’s a most unusual church, both outside and in. The brickwork was added to the timber framed building in the 19th century.

After the busy B-road section, a path over the field leads to a delightful fishing pond (see header picture!).

From here it’s a short walk back to Redesmere.

A lovely couple of hours, the only disappointment being that the ice cream van was still absent when I got back to the car!

And Finally….

I really enjoyed Glastonbury (on the telly) this year.

One of my highlights was the laid back Malian sound of Amadou and Mariam.