Dale Top (Park Moor) from Lyme Park

Lyme Park in Cheshire is popular with visitors yet this walk explores quiet paths and tracks to the south of the Country Park. Navigation is generally easy and the reward for your efforts are some fine views.

Technical sheet

n°292984

A Kettleshulme and Lyme Handley walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 10/10/16

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.01 km
Calculated time: 3h 35
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 244 m
Vertical drop: - 235 m
Highest point: 399 m
Lowest point: 182 m

Area: Peak District
District: Kettleshulme and Lyme Handley
Start/End: N 53.33867° / W 2.05756°
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Description

(S)It is assumed that you start from the main car park (grid ref. SJ9628240). However at busy times you may be directed to other parking areas nearby. Toilets and refreshments are a few minutes' walk from this main car park. Having parked, follow the tarmac road heading roughly west towards the Knott, where there is a further car park. Bear right off the road and follow the path through Pursefield Wood to reach a track close to West Parkgate (grid ref. SJ949815).

(1)Once through the gates bear left and continue to a lane (grid ref. SJ948814). After a few metres take the track on your left. This leads you uphill towards Moorside after which you bear right to join Moorside Lane. Continue in a southwesterly direction to Keeper's Cottage (grid ref. SJ954805).

(2)Go left here following the path uphill alongside a dry stone wall on your left to reach a stile in the fence at the top. Cross the stile and following the path/track ahead through a gate and stile without a wall or fence attached! This leads you alongside the wall, which is on your left. The way ahead is clear and there are some good views across the Lyme Park Estate on your left. The track leads you to another track near to where the wall turns sharply left (grid ref. SJ971807). Bear left along this track which is part of the Gritstone Trail. The views to Kinder Scout on your right are good.

(3)Reaching a junction of paths (grid ref. SJ973812), turn left and enter National Trust property again. After passing through the gate, bear immediately right and follow the path up beide the wall to reach a topograph from where you have a grand view west towards the Manchester area. After enjoying the view return back to the Gritstone Trail, turn right and walk downhill on the clear path back to the car park.

(4)Having completed the moorland section of walk, the route continues from the car park to follow the perimeter fence on the south side of the Lyme Hall. You get some good views of the stately house on this section. Reaching a junction of paths at Hampers Bridge, turn left and follow this clear path towards the main frontage of the Hall. You will see "The Cage" appear ahead and make a beeline for the path that leads to this fine vantage point. After taking in the view, return down the main path leading from The Cage and return to the main car park.(E)

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 233 m - Lyme Park car park
1 : km 2.1 - alt. 198 m - Bear left and continue to lane
2 : km 3.34 - alt. 285 m - Turn left at Keepers Cottage
3 : km 5.89 - alt. 389 m - Turn left at path junction
4 : km 8.43 - alt. 255 m - Follow fence to south of Lyme Hall
S/E : km 10.01 - alt. 233 m - Lyme Park car park

Useful Information

Lyme Park Country Park with its grand stately home, Lyme Hall, is a popular place for visitors. Owned by the National Trust an entrance fee is payable for parking. On arrival you will normally receive a map of the estate which is a useful reference for this walk, although the map does not contain the complete route. It does provide detailed guidance within the estate boundary.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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Reviews and comments

2.7 / 5

Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
1 / 5

Clarity of route map
3 / 5

Walk interest
4 / 5

seankilg

11 Nov 2019 at 05:29 EST

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of walk : 08/11/19
Clarity of route description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

There were several junctions on the track where the instructions were very misleading and without my reasonably competent map reading skills and interpretation of contours we would have gone wrong.
Having said that we still followed the instructions to the letter and ended up taking a wrong turning somewhere towards the end and more by luck than judgement we intersected the track from the outward section and managed to retrace our steps back to the car park.
Much more descriptive detail needed where turns are required.

Other walks in the area

Park Moor and Birchencliff from Lyme Park

Departure from Kettleshulme and Lyme Handley (Cheshire East)

This Peak District walk starts from Lyme Park and explores the moors lying to the south of this grand stately home. There is a short section of road walking along a quiet country lane.

The Disley Lanes from Lyme Park

Departure from Kettleshulme and Lyme Handley (Cheshire East)

This Cheshire walk explores Lyme Park and the lanes around Disley. Most of the route is within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park. It visits Lyme Cage prior to leaving the park. It then proceeds along quiet lanes before returning to the park. The Cage dominates the walk as it is rarely out of sight.

Disley, the Bowstones and Bramhall

Departure from Disley (Cheshire East)

A route around the hills surrounding Lyme Park and finishing with a delightful section of Ladybrook valley to Bramhall. The regular (twice hourly) between the train stations makes this a viable point-to-point walk.

Stage 1 of the Gritstone Trail - Disley to Macclesfield

Departure from Disley (Cheshire East)

The Gritstone Trail runs for 56 km through the Cheshire countryside, west of the Peak District, from Disley to Kidsgrove. This first stage starts at Disley Station, goes through Lime Park and up to the Bow Stones, over Sponds Hill (410m), past Bollington and on to the Saddle of Kerridge (over White Nancy), Tegg's Nose and down to Langley. At this point, this route leaves the trail to drop down to Macclesfield past The Hollins.

The Gritstone Trail in 3 stages using the local train

Departure from Disley (Cheshire East)

A three day trail starting at Disley and finishing at Kidsgrove. The route is split to enable either a stopover or return journey from Macclesfield and Congleton. Transport is by rail, starting at Disley Station (possible use of Macclesfield Station and Congleton Station) and terminating at Kidsgrove Station.

Black Rocks & Bollinhurst Reservoir from Disley

Departure from Disley (Cheshire East)

This is a nice short walk offering wonderful views. The seasonal colour changes of the countryside make this Cheshire walk worth repeating during the year. The route starts from Disley and climbs onto Black Rocks offering some great views.