{"id":1008599,"date":"2024-04-04T20:54:36","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T19:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008599"},"modified":"2024-04-04T20:54:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T19:54:38","slug":"clough-house-wildboarclough-to-the-cat-fiddle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008599","title":{"rendered":"Clough House, Wildboarclough To The Cat & Fiddle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

More rain was forecast overnight, and everywhere is very wet underfoot, so I chose quite a short walk in familiar surroundings today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a good choice as most of the walk was on stony paths or tarmac tracks and minor roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was cloudy and bright with little wind, ideal for walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Clough House Car Park, via Macclesfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 5.3 miles long, with 910feet of ascent, and it took about 2 hours 30 minutes , plus a quarter hour for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk is in sheep farming country and over moors so at this time of year it’s not suitable for dogs to be off the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at Clough House Car Park Postcode SK11 0BD, What 3 Words \/\/\/purely.duke.twitching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Cumberland Brook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the car park the brook flows down under a bridge . As anticipated it was gushing strongly today. The peak of Shutlingsloe is framed behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The path follows the brook’s valley. It’s a steady climb but not too steep. I took regular stops for views of the valley behind me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cumberland Cottage is sadly abandoned now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Soon the trees become sparser and tributaries can be seen tumbling down the hillside opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Moors To The Cat & Fiddle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the trees the path splits. I turned north (left).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My path and the now small stream are almost sharing one route down here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I reached the final short ascent, with the open moor looming above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And there it was. I could stretch my legs and quicken my pace, or so I thought. It was quite wet now, but the view back when I reached the high point was wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I’m almost level with Shutlingsloe now, whilst Sutton Mast is now in clear sight behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Manchester is visible to the northwest in the centre of the next picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I picked my way round the puddles until the famous pub came into view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A large bird of prey was gliding by as I walked past the building. At first I assumed it to be a buzzard, but then it became obvious that it was a red kite. I took a hasty photo!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Clough Brook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I wandered down to The Peak View Cafe and crossed the road to take the path opposite, only to find….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, I had to take the road down to Torgate Farm, from where I could rejoin my intended route. No complaints though, as there are lovely views from this quiet road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I made my way to Clough Brook, crossing the bridge at Broughsplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In next to no time I was at the bottom of the valley, from where the road would lead back to the car park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The road criss-crosses the brook, with daffodils lining adjacent drives, and lambs gamboling in the fields!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a super walk with varied landscapes and views to enjoy, and it proved very sensible after all the rain that we’ve endured recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Black Crowes have a new album called Happiness Bastards. This track is atypical of the album, but I like it, it’s called Kindred Friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n