Explore Quarry Bank
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Southern Woods Walk To the right of the bridge, the rivers Dean and Bollin combine. Welcome to Quarry Bank Distance: 2.5 km As you walk along the low laying path you will reach a large granite boulder. This is called an ‘erratic’ Before the mill was built, Styal village was a small collection Explore Duration: About 50 minutes stone and was deposited here from the Mill, Café, Toilets 1 of barns and cottages whose inhabitants worked on the Lake District during the last ice and Shop surrounding land. In 1784, the valley of the river Bollin was Terrain: Partially accessible for wheelchairs and Quarry Bank age. 8 To your right there rf Y chosen by Samuel Greg as the site for Quarry Bank mill. pushchairs if done in reverse up to point 9. 11 is a steep woodland bank 10 As the mill expanded, many of the original farm and during late April and 61 Starting at Visitor Reception 1 walk along the buildings in Styal were converted into houses, with throughout May this the purpose-built Oak Cottages added in the 1820s. edge of the car park, past a small reservoir pond, banking is a carpet and through a gate into the field beyond. This early industrial community included a school, of bluebells. Keep 2 shop, bakery, two churches and many of the villagers In the event of a fire, water would be pumped from following the path even had their own allotments. In 1939, Alexander the reservoir to the mill. Fire was a constant threat straight ahead. Greg gave the estate to the National Trust to be cared in the hot and dusty mills. Fortunately fires at 4 for and for future generations to enjoy. Quarry Bank seem to have been rare and small. Old Quarry Today a team of rangers and volunteers work on the estate Once you have passed through the gates, go across N to protect, restore and maintain the historic grounds. the field and pass through another gate 2 , then 3 continue down the path. Looking across the field on your left you will 9 Southern Woods Walk Access see a large house. 3 This was once used as the The most accessible walk is the Riverside Walk which transmitter and control station for Manchester 61 Number of steps has fully accessible paths. The Southern Woods Walk Airport during the Second World War. Across the is partially accessible, if done in reverse up to point 9 . fields to the right is a stone obelisk which is due 5 south from an observatory that once stood in 8 The Giant’s Castle Walk and Kingfisher Walk contain Quarry Bank Garden. It allowed the mill owner to many steps and steep sloping paths. Paths can be use the sun to set his clocks. 4 muddy, so we advise stout footwear. A small part of the Giant’s Castle Walk is by the side of a road. As you continue on you will come to an iron gate 5 . Pass through this and drop down the hill and Gates will be locked at the time specified at the entrance. into the meadow. Continue straight down to a gate As you follow the path at the bottom. Evening walks may allow you to see it will rise up steeply and you bats crossing the meadow. will pass over Heron’s Pool Bridge. Countryside Care 9 This is a great place to see herons 6 This route was used by mill apprentices, to walk feeding and also bats later in the evening. Please stay on the paths to reduce erosion of banks from the Apprentice House to the parish church in and damage to plants. Wilmslow every Sunday. Soon you will reach the mill pond on your left which 7 We welcome responsible dog owners. Please keep is a great place for pond dipping 10 . Carry straight on, Twinnies Bridge At the gate 6 turn right along the concrete cycle your dog on a lead in the village and around livestock passing the playground on your left until you reach Enjoy one of our track. Walk for approximately 40 metres, you and wildlife. the mill 11 . wonderful walks around will then see another gate on your right 7 . Pass The river can be deep and fast flowing. For their through the kissing gate so that the river Bollin will Once at the mill it is a perfect place to stop off, grab a the Quarry Bank estate safety, children should be supervised at all times. be on your left. This area is called a Willow Carr, it bite to eat, have a cup of tea and rest your feet! Once is an area of wet woodland which is unique habitat you are fully rested head up the mill drive and back to Please help us to care for the countryside by taking feature of the estate. the Visitor Reception to complete your walk. your litter home. You will reach a set of stone steps taking you down to Keep an eye out on the river and if you are lucky you will turn right, following the steep bridleway path up to Kingfisher Walk Chapel Bridge. 4 Once you have reached the bottom see a kingfisher pass by. 7 Head over the bridge and Giant’s Castle Walk Manchester Airport perimeter track. 15 Distance: 2 km cross Chapel Bridge and take the path that leads to turn left following the path up the steep hill. Distance: 6.2 km Turn right at the track. On your left is the Manchester the right and up the hill. Duration: 50 minutes Once you reach the top of the hill you will see Duration: About 2.5 hours Airport’s busy Runway 2. Follow the stony track for Terrain: Some steep inclines and steps. Chapel Bridge was built to provide easy access to Centenary Bridge 8 on your left and a path on your Terrain: Muddy paths, uneven terrain and steep steps. 600m until you reach an old tarmac road. This is the Unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. the mill for Robert Hyde Greg from Norcliffe Hall, his right. Take the path to the right; you will soon notice Unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. “Old” Altrincham Road and was a main road before home. Quarry Bank’s gardens on your right hand side. Runway 2 was built; the road is no longer a highway and is only used by local residents. Follow this old road Once at the top of the hill follow the path along the As you pass the gardens it’s a perfect place to pop in From Visitor Reception 1 walk follow the path that Upon entering the Oxbow, ignore the path on your for 800m until you reach a vehicle gate. 16 top of the valley. 5 If you look down to your left you to the garden café to rest your feet and have a bite to runs alongside the Apprentice House and across the left and continue straight ahead with the river on your can see Folly Bridge. eat 9 . Alternately you can carry on straight ahead to Once at the vehicle gate turn right onto Altrincham field. When you reach a gate with a track in front of it, right. As you reach the Oxbow Bridge, cross over and Visitor Reception to finish your walk. Road, taking care of the traffic as you walk. Turn pass through the gate and cross the track. Go through turn left. 10 right and head back up the road. 17 another gate and head towards Styal Cross. 2 The Oxbow Bridge was brought to this isolated Manchester Airport N 61 You pass the magnificent half-timbered Oak Farm, Number of steps Kingfisher Walk location in the 1970s, by helicopter! then Tudor Cottage which are some of the original 16 17 Follow the path up and then down the steep flights of medieval buildings of Styal. Giant’s Castle Walk steps known as Acorn Steps. 11 Turn right at Styal village car park 18 . Walk to the The dense canopy of the beech wood in summer allows far end of the car park, turn left and then right 15 Riverside Walk little light to penetrate to encourage growth on the along a cobbled track to Styal Cross. Turn left at 14 woodland floor. the cross and head across the fields towards Visitor Reception. 1 Cross Giant’s Castle Bridge 12 and climb the steep Old Altrincham Road 93 steps. 13 Walk along the cliff edge, with views back down to the river Bollin. Once across the cliff edge you 13 114 will descend back down in to Giant’s Castle Wood. Riverside Walk Distance: 0.8 km You are now passing through a piece of ancient 12 Giant’s Castle Bridge semi-natural woodland. 14 Duration: About 20 minutes Folly Bridge features in paintings Once at Styal Cross turn left towards Norcliffe Ancient semi-natural woodland is a Terrain: Flat path, suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. by Caroline, Robert Greg’s 65 Chapel. If you wish to visit the chapel, pass through daughter. The huge redwood Styal Village habitat for many native species. The Oxbow Bridge 6 5 the gate on the right. To access the woods, take the 11 15 Norcliffe Chapel dead wood is important for 700 Funded with support from S conifer, with its characteristic 64 10 4 18 path on the left nearest the field and continue with varieties of fungi recorded Starting point reddish bark, is just one of the exotic 22 8 3 Y Village the chapel to your right.