Walk 8: Rainow and Bollington
The walk starts and ends in the village of Rainow, on the B5470. As you leave Macclesfield town centre on the B5470 (signposted to Whaley Bridge), you will soon pass through Higher Hurdsfield, and then Rainow. Park in the centre of the village - there are some parts of the main road where it is safe to do so, for example next to the church.
| Fact File | |
| Distance: | 4 miles (6 km) |
| Terrain: | Medium, along lanes, bridleways, and other footpaths. Can be muddy after rain. |
| Maps: | OS Explorer Map 268 |
| Start: | Rainow village, on the B5470. |
Route Guide
The walk follows the valley of the River Dean from Rainow to Bollington and back. The circular route follows the path to the west of the river (along the side of Kerridge ridge), then along the towpath of the Macclesfield canal where it passes through Bollington, and then back to Rainow along a path to the east of the river. For refreshments there is a pub in Rainow, the Rising Sun. There is also the Bulls Head in Kerridge. Two hours should be allowed. Strong shoes or walking boots are essential.
Rainow lies in the foothills of the Pennines straddling the Cheshire boundary of the Peak District National Park. The village gets its name from the Old English Hraefn Hoe meaning Ravens Hill, an indication that the area was once a wilderness. The western boundary runs along the crest of Kerridge (Key Ridge from the Old English Caeg Hrycg), pictured here. The hill has an altitude of over 900 feet, but descends steeply into the River Dean valley. The heart of the village lies to the east of the river. A number of large menhirs (standing stones) can still be seen in the locality. Their original purpose was probably to signpost tracks through Rainow that once formed part of a ridge way to the Scottish borders.
A short stretch of this route is along the towpath of Macclesfield Canal, which passes Adelphi Mill. The Swindells family made their lasting contribution to the town’s architecture when, with partners the Brooke family, they built Adelphi Mill in 1856 taking full advantage of the newly opened Macclesfield Canal in 1831 whose stone bridges, aqueducts and wharves were engineered by William Crosley. This magnificent industrial building has now been converted into flats and business units. The Swindells family was a major force in transforming Bollington from an agricultural village of 1,200 people in 1801 to an industrial town of 4,600 people by 1851.
There are many attractive back gardens on the other side of the canal. Many houses in Bollington back onto the canal, and some have their own moorings.
Directions
Start from the centre of Rainow village.
1. Leave Rainow on the Gritstone Trail, which is found just down the hill from, and on the same side of the road as, the Rising Sun pub. The Gritstone Trail is clearly marked and follows a bridleway which heads down hill between fields, then crosses a small stream before bearing right and heading uphill.
2. At the point where the Gritstone Trail bears left and heads uphill, instead continue straight on along a path that stays on the same level. Alternatively follow the Gritstone Trail up the steep path to the left, and along the top of Kerridge ridge to the White Nancy, before descending down to the lane in step 5.
3. Follow the level path along the side of Kerridge ridge. The path skirts around the top of a small wooded area.
4. Eventually this path forks, with the right fork heading downhill slightly to enter Waulkmill Woods. Take the left fork instead, and follow the path that stays on the same level. This path passes between a house on the left and an animal enclosure on the right.
5. The path crosses a stile and meets a narrow lane. Turn left here. Follow the lane as it goes uphill and bears to the left around the base of Kerridge ridge - the White Nancy is on top of the hill here, up to your left. Eventually the lane emerges onto a road (Redway).
6. Turn right along the road (Redway). On this corner there used to be a pub, the Redway Tavern, now converted into a private house. Walk along Redway until it meets Oak Lane. The Bulls Head pub is on this corner.
7. Turn left along Oak Lane for a short distance, then right at the first footpath on the right, following a lane downhill.
8. Bear left at the bottom of the lane, crossing the canal over a bridge. Turn right straight after the bridge, down some steps and along the canal towpath.
9. Continue along the canal towpath, passing Adelphi Mill on the left. Eventually a bridge over the canal is reached.
10. Just before the bridge, ascend the steps up to the lane (Hurst Lane). Turn right at the top of the steps, crossing the canal, up the lane.
11. Part way up Hurst Lane, on the left, is a footpath. Follow this short path which emerges onto a residential street (Gleave Avenue).
12. Carry straight on past houses. Ignore the road to the right. Continue to the end of Gleave Avenue and take the footpath (to the right of the house number 19).
13. This footpath goes downhill to emerge onto Chancery Lane. Turn left.
14. Bear right up Cow Lane.
15. At the end of Cow Lane there are two footpaths across a farm field. Take the left path, which goes slightly down hill.
16. The footpath goes downhill to meet a lane. Bear right along the lane, which eventually passes a disused mill building.
17. A short distance past the disused mill, follow the Gritstone Trail sign which directs you over a stile to the left.
18. Follow the Gritstone Trail down hill, over the River Dean, and uphill again. Eventually the Gritstone Trail follows a paved path, with a small estate on the left (Savio House). At the end of the grounds of Savio House is a 'cross roads' of footpaths. The Gritstone Trail continues to the left and a smaller footpath continues straight up the hill. However, there is another path which heads off to the right here, despite the fact that it is not signposted. Turn right along the footpath, keeping the hedge on your left hand side.
19. Follow the path over a few stone stiles. The saddle of Kerridge ridge is to your right now, with the River Dean in the valley below, as you head back towards Rainow. Eventually this path heads slightly downhill to meet another path which leads uphill from the right.
20. Bear left at this junction of paths.
21. Follow the footpath back to Rainow village. As you enter the village, the footpath meets a road. Bear left along this road, and then follow the road to the right which takes you back up to the main road in Rainow.