Easy Access
This page provides details of paths, visitor centres and other places to visit where ease of access has been considered. There are links to websites for all of these places on the Links page.
Macclesfield Forest Visitors Centre
The car park has a compacted sandstone surface, with tarmac entrance road and three parking spaces reserved for disabled people close to the toilets. There is a toilet suitable for disabled people for which a RADAR key is required (a key is available when the Rangers' Room is open). The Ranger’s room is sometimes open, with its display of local fauna and flora; at other times information can be obtained from boards and leaflets (available from dispensers). There is a pleasant grassy picnic area behind the building, with a number of picnic tables, one of which is wheelchair-accessible via the compacted limestone path. There is a short stone surfaced track suitable for wheelchair users (pictured here), opposite the car park entrance which provides a good viewpoint of the reservoir and its birdlife, including the heronry.
West Park
West Park is huge, has an extensive play area for children including a skate board area with huge slopes. The park has toilets and a cafe and is disabled-friendly. The park has lovely gardens so take a picnic and enjoy the views! Contained within the park is a small museum containing lots of interesting things - this is free admission.
Hare Hill
National Trust gardens in Over Alderley. Adapted WC. Partly accessible, slopes, some steps, grass and uneven paths.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park can be accessed in Beechwood Mews, just off Manchester Road (the A538), where there is a free car park and toilets. Situated between Macclesfield and Prestbury, Riverside Park consists of 70 acres of the River Bollin flood plain and valley sides, forming a linear country park. For a good part of the path from here to Prestbury, the surface is level, wide, and well compacted.