{"id":1003974,"date":"2021-08-05T15:53:39","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T14:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1003974"},"modified":"2022-11-04T16:24:12","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T16:24:12","slug":"gawsworth-and-the-macclesfield-canal-the-best-laid-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1003974","title":{"rendered":"Gawsworth And The Macclesfield Canal – The Best Laid Plans….."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thursday’s weather forecast has been looking rather grim all week, so when opportunity arose to walk on Wednesday this week, I took it. It turns out we’ve not had a drop of rain up till 4pm on Thursday…. whereas Wednesday….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I decided on an early start, so as to be home for lunchtime and was happily on the Handforth By-Pass at 8.30, when a canine emergency diverted me to Jordan’s house at Marple Ridge. It was on to the vets in Stockport to investigate Rolo’s digestive problems caused, it seems, by his propensity to eat anything and everything he sees! Hopefully he’ll be feeling better now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Any Excuse to Include Rolo Picture!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, I arrived in Gawsworth about 3 hours later than planned. The journey should be 35 minutes each way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk was 7.3 miles, with little in the way of elevation changes, so a nice easy hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I completed the walk in a shade under 3 hours including a 15 minute lunch break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For dog walkers, the walk has a long, quiet, canalside stretch, and a long bridleway on the driveway to North Rode Manor. Much of the rest is a mix of arable and livestock farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk starts at postcode SK11 9RJ with easy roadside parking to the west of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gawsworth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As my header picture shows, this is a picturesque spot to start and finish the walk. The Tudor hall built in 1480 is also beautiful, though not visible from the road. It is open to the public and hosts plays and concerts in the grounds through the summer, with the hall as a magnificent backdrop to the stage. I’ve been a few times and it’s a great evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Hall Farm also looks grand across the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As I headed eastwards across the arable farmland, the sky was darkening in the hills to the east! My plan had been to complete the walk before the rain arrived, so not having a decent coat in the car, I was thankful that I opted to take my umbrella with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The wheat in this field looks ready for harvesting. It isn’t a very common crop in this area, so was nice to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Macclesfield Canal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I negotiated a short road section, crossing the West Coast main railway line and found the unsignposted path around Woodhouse Green Farm and over the fields to the Macclesfield Canal, adjacent the A523. It was now raining hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I reached the lovely swing bridge at the now closed Fools Nook pub. Still raining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There was only one dry place to stop for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    This is a very pretty stretch of canal, with wayside flowers, cattle, and a grey heron, presumably from the nearby Macclesfield Forest heronry. And it stopped raining!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    And I love these ancient distance markers – I’m now 16 miles south of Marple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Bosley Locks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I left the canal at Lock No. 1 of the lovely flight that takes the canal down to the River Dane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      North Rode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      After a road section, recrossing the railway I reached a bridleway which is exceptionally well maintained with manicured grass verges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Just around the corner is the private boating and fishing reservoir in the grounds of North Rode Manor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      The Manor House isn’t visible from the path which leaves the manorial driveway turning north just after the church and hamlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Back to Gawsworth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      There are some lovely hedgerows, and fine views over the maize fields of Sutton mast and the Peak District hills to the east as the path leads on through farmland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Just south of Gawsworth are a series of popular, pretty, private fishing pools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          And the walk finishes as it started, with a lovely view of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          A really pleasant walk around lowland rural Cheshire. Nothing strenuous, a lovely walk for all ages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          And Finally…..<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          This is Lord Huron with a song called Not Dead Yet from 2021 album Long Lost. Nice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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