{"id":1009645,"date":"2025-04-03T17:14:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T16:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009645"},"modified":"2025-04-03T17:18:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T16:18:32","slug":"kettleshulme-gritstone-trail-and-todd-brook-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009645","title":{"rendered":"Kettleshulme, Gritstone Trail And Todd Brook Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

We are all quick to criticise when the British weather lets us down, but it’s been spectacularly sunny this week<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I headed up to Kettleshulme, on the Macclesfield to Whaley Bridge road, a 25 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is about 8 miles long with 1500feet of ascent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 4 hours to complete, plus 20 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk isn\u2019t good for dog walking, being mainly on pasture and lots of tricky stiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Most of the walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24, but the first section, north of Kettleshulme, crosses up onto OL1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked on the road outside The Swan Inn, postcode SK23 7QU , What 3 Words \/\/\/organisms.begin.potential<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Kettleshulme To The Gritstone Trail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kettleshulme is a pretty hamlet, and currently much quieter than usual due to a closure of the B5470 near Rainow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I set off through the garden nursery opposite the pub. Before the church I passed a garden with siskins feeding on the bird feeder. My parents garden used to attract many of these pretty finches, but I rarely see them these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The village roads led me round to the disused mill and millpond. There’s a great development opportunity here for someone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

It was quite a misty morning as I began to rise towards Handley Fold Farm. It is really unspoilt, and little known in this area. Gorgeous countryside!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Beyond Higher Lane (the road past the former Moorside Hotel if that helps with knowing where this is) it’s quite a steep climb up Sweet Hill, but the strong easterly wind was at my back, and soon helped me up to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The downside was that the wind was cold – they had promised 19 degrees, but it felt like about 5 degrees to me at this point!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I made my way along the Gritstone Trail to the viewpoint shown on the map. Many of my familiar walking landmarks are visible from here, though the misty conditions didn’t help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

On To Todd Brook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Gritstone Trail drops down to cross Bakestonedale Road (the road up to Kettleshulme from Pott Shrigley). At the crossing a wooden arrow appears to indicate the route is down a farm drive. It isn’t – it is over a stile to the left of the drive. Walking back up the drive to find the correct route isn’t fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I headed towards Further Harrop Farm, there are lovely views down the valley, with the unmistakable White Nancy and Jodrell Bank decorating the skyline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

After the farm, I found the path to be very boggy, despite the recent dry weather. This bit was particularly tricky!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

After crossing the closed section of Macclesfield Road, the next section revealed lovely views up to Pym Chair and Shining Tor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

At the conifer plantation I joined Back Lane, pretty, and definitely unsuitable for motor vehicles, being very rocky, and very steep!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Part way down, there are views across to Windgather Rocks where budding mountaineers learn their trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

At the bottom of the lane is a farm with a beautiful pond which feeds Todd Brook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Back To Kettleshulme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crossing the brook, I took the road up the opposite side of the valley, passing some inquisitive alpacas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

I turned back down into the valley. This is Green Booth where Cheshire Wildlife Trust have recently acquired land to manage for wildlife. It’s beautiful down here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

At Summer Close I arrived at the incredibly dangerous looking building in my header picture. Here it is from the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

From here the path enters a field to cross the footbridge. There were about 15 cattle in the field, but they showed little interest in me as I gave them a wide berth to reach the footbridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the top of the rise out of the valley, another farmhouse lies derelict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Turning left, it’s now a straight, level path along the side of the valley, with splendid views to savour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Talking of savouring, on my return to The Swan, I couldn’t resist a few moments in their lovely sunny, and sheltered beer garden!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

This is quite a challenging walk, but a most exhilarating one! A very enjoyable day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There’s some great new music around at the moment. This band is called Courting, and the album is the long-titled “Lust For Life, Or: \u2018How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story'”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This track is “Namcy”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n