{"id":1009879,"date":"2025-07-03T20:53:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T19:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009879"},"modified":"2025-07-03T20:53:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T19:53:37","slug":"whaley-bridge-furness-vale-and-whaley-moor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1009879","title":{"rendered":"Whaley Bridge, Furness Vale And Whaley Moor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

The weather has cooled during this week, and it was a fresh, very pleasant summer’s day as I headed out to Whaley Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I started the walk at Hockerley, an estate above the town of Whaley Bridge, 30 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 5.7 miles with 830feet of ascent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 2 hours 30 minutes to complete plus 45 minutes for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is OK for dog walking if the dog can cope with stiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked on the road by Hockerley Hall Farm Shop, postcode SK23 7AU, What 3 Words snipped.essay.typified<\/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

Hockerley To Furness Vale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As I set off, there were a few fluffy, but dark clouds threatening overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When I reached Ringstone Clough, the sun was taking charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ringstone Caravan Park looked very attractive in the sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The long drive was quiet, and enjoyable, all the way to Furness Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Furness Vale To Whaley Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Turning left, I passed a variety of residential property, before a farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond the farm, I was into open country with scattered trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After Broadhey, I found a lovely, sculptural tractor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Approaching Kiln Knoll, the route passes from Derbyshire into Cheshire, and there was a view through the trees to Manchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Redmoor Farm the goats and cows eyed me very suspiciously!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The stretch up to Whaley Lane is a delightful mx of grassland, gorse and small trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking back the farm is nestled in beautiful countryside with views to the distant Kinder Scout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whaley Lane To Whaley Moor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I crossed the road and had to pass by a group of horses, all of whom were disinterested in me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A short rise =then brought The Cage at Lyme Park into view with the whole Cheshire plain laid out behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond Rocks Farm the path crosses a flat marshy plateau. No problem in the current weather but could get tricky after rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The approach to Whaley Moor goes straight through the car park of the former Moorside Hotel now a special school for children with learning disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whaley Moor To Hockerley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A track leads away over a field then turns left uphill to Whaley Moor. A fantastic display of sweet willowherb adorns a field edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crossing a stile, the magnificent views across the Todd Crook Valley are quite stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I found a grassy bank and took a long, leisurely lunch break in the sunshine, as swallows zoomed over the wispy grass hunting insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The route crosses back into Derbyshire, and a long straight path heads back to Whaley Lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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50 yards is enough of walking on the side of this road, a short cut between Whaley Bridge and Disley to avoid the A6, as cars drive fast and there’s no footpath. So I went round the path off to the right which was nice, and on returning to Whaley Lane I crossed and took the easy, well-trodden grassy path back to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is a lovely walk in summer. The path around Whaley Moor is even worth visiting in isolation, as the view here is spectacular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buster Shuffle are a London ska \/ punk rock and roll band. Could be Madness but I like them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their new album is called Together, and this track is “take A Pill”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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