Next tour: 2019. To be arranged.
Meet: Alderley Edge station, time tbc.
Join Steve Bourne for a lovingly long trek through this verdant, woody, colourful Cheshire setting, complete with local stories of fact and folklore: from the Bronze age to 21st century celebrities, with King Arthur, the Druids, copper-mining Romans, the Jacobite army and the Spanish Armada thrown in too, all on the striking sandstone outcrop known as “the Edge”.
Starting from the main carpark at Alderley Edge railway station, we walk through the village, then leave the surfaced road to gradually ascend the escarpment. The route soon takes our minds off all this exercise, as we pass several prestige houses – including the Victorian villa penthouse which was the Beckhams’ first real home. We then explore the rarely visited western side of the Edge for spectacular views across the Cheshire plain to Jodrell Bank, Beeston Castle and the Peckforton Hills.
This tour includes several highlights around the summit including: the Sandhills, the Wizard, Stormy Point, the Golden stone, Beacon Hill, Castle Rock and the Wizard’s Well, before descending along lovely Woodbrook Road, which many locals say they haven’t seen before.
We return back to the village and station, or may even call in at the Drum & Monkey pub.
Tips for customers
Please note that this is only a guided walk over the Edge and involves no other hills. We walk for up to 3½ hours, covering a distance of approx 4½ miles, with 650 foot of ascent, then a similar level of descent back into the village. Please be aware that this walk is not suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs.
We use woodland pathways with uneven surfaces, as well as venturing for a few yards inside the Church mine. Our guide, Steve, can provide some torches, though best bringing your own torch if you have one. Please dress accordingly for the weather, wearing sturdy shoes or walking boots. Bring some nibbles and water along with you for sustenance too!
Directions: The station is located on London Road. Leave the M56 at Junction 6 heading towards Wilmslow. Follow this road for just over 4 miles in to the centre of Wilmslow, then turn right at the traffic lights on to Alderley Road B5086. Follow the road for 2 miles to Alderley Edge, then head over the bridge and turn left into the train station at the start of the town centre. Either use the station’s pay and display car park, or try to find on-street parking.
