Dunham Massey

(S/E) From the front door, turn left and then left again down Burford Lane. After ½ mile, pass Burford Lane Farm, and beyond the last house, turn right over a stile. Follow the top edge of three fields to a corner where you turn left (marked with a footpath sign). Partway down the edge of the field, after the second telegraph pole, turn right over a stile, then aim half-left to a second stile into a lane by Lymm Cruising Club’s compound.

(1) Turn right along the road. Beyond The Old Boathouse turn leftover Agden Bridge and follow the road round to the left and right.

(2) At the entrance to Woolstencroft Farm, turn right over the cattle grid and walk along the drive to the farm. Bear right along a concrete track in front of the farmhouse. Beyond a line of pylons follow the woodland edge around to the right until you reach a stile. Turn left into the woodland, drop down to cross a footbridge over a stream then leave the woodland belt on the other side. Cross the next field then bear left to a further stile. Turn right then, after a kissing gate and just before the canal aqueduct, turn left up to some steps to the towpath.

(3) Turn left and follow the canal, crossing the Bollin Aqueduct, and then a second aqueduct over the road near Dunham Woodhouses. Leave the towpath after the next road bridge, doubling back left to cross the canal. Walk along the road for a quarter of a mile to a T-junction beyond the church in Dunham Town, where you turn right along School Lane.

(4) Keep right at the junction with Charcoal Road, to reach Woodhouse Lane. Cross and turn right for a short distance, then climb a ladder stile beside a gate into the Dunham Massey deer park. Walk down the tree-lined avenue with a large pond away to your left. Bear right in front of the main house, then keep left of the picturesque 17th century sawmill. Leave the deer park by way of another ladder stile and follow the fenced path across the meadow to Bollington Mill.

(5) Beyond the mill building, cross the River Bollin on a narrow metal footbridge and walk through Little Bollington, passing the Swan with Two Nicks public house on your right. When the village street bends left at a triangle, turn right along a cobbled lane that shortly passes under an aqueduct.

(6) Beyond the aqueduct, turn left and rejoin the canal towpath. Follow the towpath for nearly a mile, until you pass under Agden Bridge. Leave the canal here and follow the road over the bridge. At the T-junction beyond, turn right then immediately left before The Old Boathouse. Follow this narrow lane uphill to the A56.

(7) Cross the road and turn right along the footpath along the verge. Cross Agden Park Lane opposite the Wheatsheaf Inn, and then join a grassy path that runs parallel to the road to convey you back to the Jolly Thresher.(S/E)

Some road walking at the start and end; may be occasionally muddy after rain.

The hike combines historical estate with lush countryside and canal paths which offer excellent views of surroundings. It also provides walkers with opportunities to lengthen the walk; for example within Dunham Massey Park.