South Park

(S/E) From the front of the pub, cross the main road carefully and take a few steps to the left. Turn right through a kissing gate by a carved owl and follow the path round to the right. The surfaced path runs along a narrow strip of green space (Congleton Road Linear Park) with the striking new buildings of Macclesfield College away to the left. Ignore paths to the right and left until, after 600 metres, the path divides with houses in front of you.

(1) Take the left-hand path which runs along a garden fence and then passes through some allotments. Turn right at a junction of paths to emerge onto Mayfield Avenue. Follow the road ahead of you, passing Mayfield Terrace on your left and then Belgrave Road on your right.

(2) At a crossroads, turn left into Ash Grove. At the end of the road, a path leads obliquely past a play area and out to another road, Western Avenue. Cross into Robin Hood Avenue and almost immediately take the footpath ahead, between security fences, when the road bends right. Pass Christ the King School, continuing along the fenced path until it emerges into South Park. Follow the path as it runs along the right-hand edge of the park then, beyond the last house on your right, continue downhill between two lines of trees.

(3) At the bottom of the slope, turn left and follow the path along the near side of Ryle’s Pool, with the lake on your right. Follow the path to the right, around the end of the lake, then take the path left past the bandstand. Pass between the children’s play area and the Pavilion. 16 Bear left along a path between bowling greens (left) and tennis courts (right) to exit the park.

(4) Turn left along Park Vale Road, then right at the end (Ryle’s Park Road) to meet the A536 Park Lane. Turn left and follow the main road for 500 metres, passing the Macclesfield College entrance on your left. Turn left at the traffic lights to return to the Flower Pot(S/E)

No stiles. Paved paths and roads throughout.