Alderley Edge - Hare Hill - Nether Alderley Mill - Alderley Edge

Frank Hollingworth

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Alderley Edge - Daniel Hill - Hare Hill - Nether Alderley Mill - Bradford Lane - Alderley Edge

This walk initially takes in the area around Alderley Edge, rich in both history and a very long period of mining for copper and other non-ferrous metals. The National Trust gardens at Hare Hill are passed; well worth a visit in the summer months. Nether Alderley Mill is an optional very interesting visit. This site has had a mill on it since the 11th Century; the present mill was built during the reign of Elizabeth 1st. This mill is still in working order and when open, demonstrates its ability still to grind corn.

The Devil's Grave: the long, thin gash in the floor of Stormy Point is a small mine working called the 'Devil's Grave'. The age of the mine is not known but it was probably created to extract a layer of copper-impregnated clay, which can be seen on the slope. A large block of rock has been placed over a hole in the roof of the workings, which are only shallow and are now sealed. The Devil's Grave cuts into Engine Vein Conglomerate, which is exposed due to local fault movements and devoid of ore minerals.

Nether Alderley Mill: a fascinating overshot tandem-wheel watermill, dating from the 15th Century, with a low pitched stone-tiled roof and its original Elizabethan timbers. The present machinery is Victorian and has now been restored to full working order. Flour is ground occasionally for demonstrations, subject to the availability of water. Heavy oak framework, low beams and floors connected by wooden ladders, all set beneath an enormous sloping stone roof, help to create the distinct rustic charms of this 15th Century cornmill, one of only four virtually-complete mills in Cheshire.

Stormy Point: upon stepping out of the woods onto the sandy clearing of Stormy Point, you are greeted by magnificent views. On a clear day one can see as far as the hills of Derbyshire and Yorkshire, with Lyme Cage sitting prominently. On the Cheshire Plain in the foreground lies Mottram St Andrew, Mottram Common and what was the Woodford Aerodrome a little further away. Directly below Stormy Point is Dickens Wood and snaking out to the right are Waterfall Wood and Clockhouse Wood. The wooded hill to your left was the property of Sir Thomas de Trafford. The heather growing in the fenced-off area to the right is a reminder of the days when Alderley Edge was heathland.

England - North England - Cheshire - Woodland or Forest

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, National Trust, Toilets, Woodland

15/11/2018 - Gareth turner

Please be aware that Hare Hill is closed between November 4th and February 14th so there is no through route.

11/12/2015 - Frank Hollingworth

The route between waypoints 7 & 10 is on permissive footpaths. The landowner is entitled to close the path for various reasons, although not permanently, so far as I know. Also, the section between 8 & 9 is grazed by cattle; most have calves at this time of the year. There has been an increase in unusually aggressive cattle lately where calves are concerned.

27/11/2015 - Les Bennett