Saturday 5 October 2024 - Around Lyme Park

It was past 11am by the time eleven of us set off again up the Bow Stones path. This time we didn't turn left at the top of the woodland, instead carrying on at a modest strolling pace, above a backdrop of Greater Manchester, to the top of the path at Bow Stones, where an impressive footpath sign pointed us towards Kettleshulme, etc.

Beyond the Bow Stones, a good path led on to Sponds Hill, where we turned right to start our long descent to the Macclesfield Canal.

A navigational faux pas (my fault) led over a barbed wire fence above Bakestonedale to our unexpected arrival at a monument to mining around here. Situated on the lip of a disused quarry, the sealed off pit head has a trig point like memorial to the mining activity.

Ian Delve said this about it in November 2023:

An 1881 OS map of Bakestonedale shows lime kilns, brick kilns, coal shafts and a smithy along the narrow Bakestonedale valley road, near to Hammond's brick works. Ultimately brick production and the associated extraction of coal and fireclay became the sole preserve of Hammond's. Peak District National Park planners eventually put a stop to the industry in the mid 1960s. A number of deep mine shafts remained open until the 1970s when they were capped by the then National Coal Board, leaving distinctive concrete obelisks on the shaft tops.

Shortly before reaching the canal, the Coffee Tavern was passed. Had it been open, we would have offered some custom. As it was, we couldn't resisist taking advantage of the outdoor furniture to enjoy our packed lunches in comfort rather than on a soggy hillside.

The Macclesfield Canal towpath was soon joined, where more refreshments would have been available had we required them.

A sunny Sunday afternoon had brought out a good number of walkers and cyclists, as well as an assortment of barges.

We missed our turn off the canal and chose a route leading to the entrance to Lyme Park near Platt Wood Farm.

After following the sign to Lyme Park, we soon realised that due to closed paths (rutting season?) we were heading to the entrance in Disley rather than the Hall and the car park, so we re-traced our steps and headed along the path towards Green Farm. It was uphill, but correct, and we were soon back inside the Park, where The Cage came into view to confirm our position to any doubters.

Earlier, we had been first into the Park at 8:30. Now the car park was overflowing and the place was heaving with activity. It seemed a long time since we had arrived for the early morning parkrun.

We'd walked the best part of 16km, with 350 metres ascent, arriving back at the car park in mid afternoon. A lovely walk, in excellent weather.