Today we are going to take a six mile walk around the Cheshire countryside with a stop off half way at the spectacular Little Moreton Hall built by the Moreton family at the start of the 16th century. We are happy to provide a flask of tea or coffee and a snack to accompany you!
The walk starts at St Mary’s Church in the village of Astbury. A grade 1 listed building it is described as one of the most exciting Cheshire churches with its origins in the 12th and 13th centuries. After a mile or so, the walk takes you onto a pretty part of the Macclesfield canal where you will pass the odd canal boat or two meandering along. Why not take out your flask of coffee and snack and sit on the canal bank watching the boats go by for a while.
You probably won't want to move but it's time to continue. After another mile or so you will turn off from the canal and walk a couple of miles through the Cheshire countryside over fields and farm track and in some parts join the South Cheshire Way walking route.
We then arrive at Little Moreton Hall. This is quite a spectacular building surrounded by a moat and so higgledy piggledy it is a wonder it is still standing. They offer free guided tours of the house explaining its Tudor history and at the back of the hall is a manicured knot garden full of seasonal produce that is used in Mrs Dale’s tea room and ideal for lunch.
Fully rested and refreshed we continue on our way back to Astbury. Most of the walk back is through open fields and farm tracks passing a photogenic rusty old relic of a car at the entrance to Alcumlow Hall Farm which provides a talking point for many.
Soon we arrive back on the A34 into Astbury village. On the way to the village you will pass Astbury Meadow Garden Centre which is worth a visit as is Glebe Farm Shop which houses a farm shop, butchers fishmongers and a selection of independently owned shops as well as a very good coffee shop!
After a full day its back home to Foxes Field for a rest with more tea and cake if you can manage it!
Leaflets for all walks are available from the hall table in the guest corridor