{"id":1009609,"date":"2025-03-20T21:47:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T21:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009609"},"modified":"2025-04-02T20:38:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T19:38:40","slug":"macclesfield-canal-timbersbrook-and-the-cloud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009609","title":{"rendered":"Macclesfield Canal, Timbersbrook And The Cloud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

We have family coming to stay today, until Sunday, so I was up and out early to enjoy the warm sunshine, and the calm before the storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk starts near to Congleton, a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 8 miles with 1000feet of steady ascent after a flat start, ending with a steep descent from The Cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 3 hours 30 minutes to complete, plus 30 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk isn’t great for dog walking, being mainly on pasture and minor roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

I parked on Middle Lane, postcode CW12 3PT, What 3 Words \/\/\/register.messaging.exacts<\/p>\n\n\n

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

Trains And Boats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I set off on a track beside the West Coast main line. It was quiet, with only an occasional passing train and good views up to my ultimate destination, The Cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the end of the fields the path entered a copse before emerging on the Macclesfield Canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Timbersbrook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After leaving the canal, I crossed several fields before arriving at the pretty village of Timbersbrook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On To The Cloud<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The route rose steadily from here, over fields and tracks by Biddulph Common and Biddulph Park before joining a road, The Pines, and then turning north along Long Edge. Long Edge has magnificent views east to the Peak District – The Roaches, Three Shires Head, Bosley and Sutton Reservoirs, Sutton Mast, and Shutlingsloe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the end of Long Edge, a left turn soon led downhill to a path on the right at Bridestones. This path wends its way through a lovely small wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After the wood a rise up a still rather muddy field led to a long track to enter the National Trust property of The Cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a little hazy in the sunshine, so no enormous distances could be seen, but it is nevertheless a spectacular viewpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After a longer than normal lunch break, including a close sighting of a male wheatear on its passage to more northern breeding grounds, I set off through the woods on the western side of the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I made good time downhill and was soon back at the car!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a varied walk which has lots of interest, and The Cloud itself is a fantastic place to visit. Very enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Critical Thinking is a new album from The Manic Street Preachers that I’ve been listening to this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This track is Brushstrokes Of Reunion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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