Styal, the Bollin Way and Manchester Airport

Jim Grindle

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The Bollin Way is a local recreational route along the river and is reasonably well-signposted, although it needs some care in that some sections are not yet on the OS maps. This walk follows it as far as a tunnel under the runway of Manchester Airport and then goes alongside the runway for a short distance before turning off onto footpaths through pastoral farmland. There is one stretch of about 50m which is likely to be extremely boggy at any time of year (unless some work is done on it) and I would recommend the gaiters that I did not have with me when on the walk. I found it quite fun watching the aircraft, even though I was some distance from the terminal buildings, but I know that this will not appeal to everybody. As a bonus I spotted some deer on the fringes of the woods, while birds were abundant and that included three sparrowhawks, one of them hunting along the runway. From this point the Pennines are visible in the background.

England - North England - Manchester - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Mostly Flat, Museum, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

6/22/2024 - Simon Worrall

Pleasant walk for the most part but several paths obstructed by mud (in June!) and overgrowth. In particular the path at WP25 (SJ 804 822) is not walkable due to very deep mud and flooding. Alternative route is to continue on NCW and take FP61 (SJ 801 819) and then head along road to re-join walk at SJ806 818. The path off the road near Burleyhurst Bridge (SJ 818 815) is currently impassable due to overgrowth - so walked along the busy road towards Morley Green which is far from ideal. Paths in Cheshire East seem to be deteriorating :-(

7/22/2014 - Ian Dodd

As of 15/7/14 all is well at Waymark 24 - the stile is not blocked. There are lovely paths throughout this walk, and the airport gives added interest. The greenhouse pictured at 13 is now a playhouse. And the swampy bit at 32 is currently dry! By the way, it doesn't specifically say so anywhere on the walk print-out, as far as I can see, but the National Trust property referred to is Quarry Bank Mill (as featured in BBC drama The Mill), and it has a lovely tearoom apart from all its other attractions.

9/22/2009 - PAUL OVERS

Just done this walk. Very nice but Waymark 24 is blocked. The style is there but there is no way through. It looks like the boundary on the field has been moved. We backtracked to the part between 23 & 24 where the red and white structure is on your right. Just before it there is a style on your left, cross it and walk across the field with the hedge on your left. At the top of the field there is a style on your left. Cross it and turn right on a tarmac lane. Carry on up this lane until you come to Oak Farm on your left (Waymark 27). Turn into the drive and carry on.

4/11/2008 - Mark Ziprin

Really nice walk and the kids loved the runway section. The early stages of the walk can be very muddy as the submitter stated but was worth it anyway, thanks