{"id":1010289,"date":"2025-12-18T14:40:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010289"},"modified":"2025-12-18T14:40:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:40:55","slug":"macclesfield-canal-and-middlewood-way-at-high-lane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010289","title":{"rendered":"Macclesfield Canal And Middlewood Way At High Lane"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

With heavy rain forecast from late morning, I just had time for a short local walk starting from Higher Poynton at 9 o’clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a 20 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 2 hours to complete the 4.1 mile walk, and I was home in time for lunch! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a very easy walk on the canal towpath, disused railway track and well fenced nature reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it’s a super walk for taking the dog. <\/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 in the Jackson’s Brickworks Nature Reserve car park, postcode SK12 1TY, What 3 Words \/\/\/commander.veal.fend<\/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

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

The walk leaves the car park via the top gate and over the Pool House Farm field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s just a couple of minutes walk to the canalside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first point of interest is crossing the Manchester to Buxton railway line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s little movement on the water, the stillness providing some nice reflections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Macclesfield Canal has some lovely bridges, such as this one just before the Bull’s Head and the A6 trunk road at High Lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Just beyond the last of the houses that line the canal at High Lane, I turned off to the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Middlewood Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A track took me down to Windlehurst Road. I crossed, and passed through Higherfold Farm and its pretty cottages, emerging to enjoy this stunning view of the Cheshire Plain, and over Stockport to the towers in Manchester City Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here I had to cross a couple of very boggy fields before reaching the disused railway trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I stopped and read the information board at the former High Lane station before continuing through the tunnel below the A6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Occasionally, there are areas of planting, and ponds to provide interest along the long, straight trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The route passes back over the Buxton line at the remote Middlewood Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jackson’s Brickworks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The long redundant brickworks has been developed as a nature reserve for 20 or 30 years, and is a haven for birds and amphibians in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All in all, a super short walk, despite the decidedly grey weather!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I’ve been listening to classic soul tunes this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This seems apt for my blog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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