Discovering Hidden Gems in Macclesfield Forest

Do you like walks that make you feel as if you could be anywhere in the world? If so, read on because Macclesfield Forest is filled with some of the most unique features I’ve ever seen. From walking through dense pine forestation to seeing a miniature version of the magnificent Matterhorn, you will feel like you could be hiking in the Swiss Alps or on the north-west American coast. 

You’ll also see an abandoned farmhouse whose history will take you to New Zealand and a lovely Forest Chapel which has an unusual annual tradition that only a handful of places still practice in the UK. One minute you’ll be walking through an area as dark as night even on a sunny day and the next you’ll step into a wonderland with gnarled trees as far as you can see. Like I said, you’ll feel like you’re anywhere but the Peak District National Park in England.

If you’d like to see our walk then make sure to watch our YouTube video linked below.

Introducing Macclesfield Forest

Macclesfield Forest is located to the east of Macclesfield on the western edge of the Peak District National Park. Interestingly, only about two-thirds of the forest falls within the National Park.  About 400 hectares of the forest is designated as a Site of Biological Importance. The woodland – containing pine and broad leaf trees – is also the last remnant of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield. It is owned by United Utilities and with four reservoirs, it is an important water catchment area providing Macclesfield with drinking water.

Along the 10 km trail you might be able to spot some red deer or rare breed sheep. During the summer months you could even see some longhorn cattle around Tegg’s Nose. The area around Trentabank reservoir is a nature reserve, managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust and is home to the largest heronry in the Peak District. 

Since the forest has a lot to offer it attracts a great variety of people, including families, walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, horse riders and even fishermen.

How to get to Macclesfield Forest?

By Car

If you arrive by car, Macclesfield Forest is located to the east of Macclesfield, to the south of the A537 Buxton New Road and east of the town of Langley. Depending on the route you’d like to do, you have a few options for parking. (Please refer to the map where I marked a few popular parking spots). Since we started our walk from Tegg’s Nose, we parked at Tegg’s Nose Car Park. Most of these car parks are pay & display ones and this one cost £3 for 10 hours. You can also park at Trentabank Car Park or at Tegg’s Nose Reservoir Car Park, if you’re doing the same walk as we did. In addition, there’s a small car park at Standing Stone if you’d like to incorporate that into your walk. 

Make sure you arrive early if you come by car. If you come later in the day,  you might not even find a parking spot. If you don’t have your own car but would like to enjoy the freedom of a private vehicle, then you can always hire a car to get to Macclesfield Forest.

By Public Transport

By Public Transport: If you’re from the area, you can take Bus 14 which provides services between Macclesfield and Langley. Disembark in Langley and you can start your circular walk from the reservoirs. You can also take Bus 58 running between Macclesfield and Buxton and get off at ‘The Settler Dog’ stop which is only a short walk from Tegg’s Nose Car Park where we started our walk.

If you’re arriving from further afield, I recommend travelling to Macclesfield first by train. Most trains from London stop at Macclesfield, so you can be there in less than 2 hours. From there, you can take Bus 14 and travel to Langley. Make sure to plan your journey with Trainline which also provides information on bus fares.

Top Tip – If you’re planning on travelling across the UK by train a lot, then check out some Railcard options which allow you to save some pennies on your train fares.

By Bike: Macclesfield Forest isn’t just for walkers. There are plenty of National and Local Cycle Routes running through the area, and you can even do a loop around the forest. On our walk I saw a lot of mountain bikers so make sure you’re bike is up to the route you choose.  

Useful to Know Before You Go

Length of the Route

The route we chose to do was about 10 km (6 miles) long. Depending on your speed and how long you are spending taking photos or stopping for a picnic, this route could take at least 4 hours. 

You can definitely extend the walk by visiting the Standing Stone, or walking up to Shutlingsloe. 

Top Tip – Make sure you start your walk as early as possible if you come on a weekend. Alternatively, I suggest coming on a weekday if you can. This is a very popular area, so expect it to be packed with people especially on a nice day. I always feel more connected to nature if I don’t have to pass a constant stream of walkers.

Level of Difficulty

I think the route we did is relatively easy and you can complete it with a basic level of fitness. However, the terrain is made up of rocky tracks with tree roots jutting out of the ground. The ground can get a bit muddy after rain so definitely wear suitable footwear. The trail has some steep ascents and descents and at sections you’ll have to walk along some small roads without pavements.

The walk is sheltered for the most part. But there are some areas where you’ll be a bit exposed so wear appropriate clothing. I think this walk could be a great activity even on a slightly windy or rainy day. (I wouldn’t suggest doing it in the pouring rain though!)

Facilities Within Macclesfield Forest

Cafés and picnic spots: If you’d like to grab a coffee or a quick bite to eat, you can do that at Tegg’s Nose café either at the start of your walk or after. The car park has a lovely picnic area with benches and tables where you can enjoy the view and your drink. You can also stop at Trentabank Car Park, located pretty much half way through the walk to grab a drink there.

I also recommend packing your own lunch and if the weather is lovely stop for a picnic. There are plenty of picnic places along this route. Some of the best ones are at Tegg’s Nose Car Park, Trentabank Car Park area, Tegg’s Nose Reservoir area and anywhere on top of Tegg’s Nose for the most amazing views. 

Toilet facilities: Although there are no public toilets along the trail, there are public toilets available at a few points on the route we did. You can use the facilities at Tegg’s Nose Car Park or at Trentabank Car Park. Otherwise, you’ll need to find a private spot somewhere along the trail.

What to Wear and Bring With You?

You are in the north of England so weather conditions can change quickly. I highly recommend wearing proper walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Make sure you check the weather forecast before you set off and have a few layers with you. 

Pack some snacks and have plenty of water with you. There are plenty of beautiful picnic areas along the trail as outlined above.

Walking around Macclesfield Forest

The trail has many amazing features you cannot miss. I’ve assembled 10 of the most unique sights below in the order we saw them on our walk. I have also described the route itself.

1. Tegg’s Nose Car Park

We started our walk at Tegg’s Nose Car Park. If you do the same, arrive early to be able to get a spot! The car park is actually such a beautiful spot providing you with an amazing view. Make sure you appreciate it for a few minutes before you start your walk.

From the car park head over to the sign that says ‘Saddlers Way’. Start your walk by descending the steep path. Make sure you look out for Shuttlingsloe aka ‘The Cheshire Matterhorn’ which will be on your left in the distance. At the bottom of the path follow the sign for Macclesfield Forest to your left. Here the trail will have a slight incline so take your time and enjoy the view of Tegg’s Nose which will be on your right. 

2. Shutlingsloe aka ‘Cheshire Matterhorn’

If you Park at Tegg’s Nose, you’ll immediately see the summit of Shutlingsloe in the distance. Since its shape resembles the well known Matterhorn mountain in Switzerland, Shutlingsloe is often referred to as the Cheshire Matterhorn. At only 1,660 feet (505 m) it’s nowhere near as magnificent as the 14,692 foot (4,478 m) tall Matterhorn. However, its height in an area known to be particularly flat is pretty significant. 

Top Tip – If you have the right camera gear, you can take some pretty amazing photos of the peak. You can also extend your walk by walking up to it. 

3. Entering the Pine Forest

After walking across the fields, watch out for a gate on your right through which you’ll enter into the woodland. You’ll instantly feel like you’ve just stepped into a different country. You could be walking in the Alps or even on the north-west American coast. Enjoy the smell of the trees and look up and around whilst you’re walking through this section of the route.

4. The Abandoned Farmhouse

Follow the sign for Forest Chapel and you’ll soon come across an abandoned farmhouse. It actually has an interesting story, so make sure you don’t just walk past it without a second glance. 

This ruined building was once the childhood home of Walter Whiston Bullock (1882-1917). There is a little memorial to Walter which states that after his father’s death they emigrated to Auckland where he worked as a tinsmith. In 1915 he was enlisted in the Wellington Regiment and fought at Gallipoli and the Somme. Later, he was promoted and led a party of men to capture a German concrete shelter at Korek in 1917. A 34 year old Walter was unfortunately killed in action. However, for his bravery, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for showing ‘splendid courage and determination’. (The Distinguished Conduct Medal second only to the Victoria Cross which is the highest and most prestigious award of the British Honours system.)

5. The ‘Spooky’ Dark Woodland

Hands down the Dark Woodland section was my absolute favourite part of the walk. As you walk through the pine forest you’ll suddenly enter into a section which is so dense that sunlight can barely get through.

You’ll immediately see from the outside just how dark it is within this section. As you enter, you’ll notice that the temperature drops all of a sudden and it will be deathly quiet. No birds, no outside noise, just you and the dark woodland surrounding you. Somehow the trees felt much taller here – or maybe my mind was playing trick on me! It was an incredible experience and definitely the highlight of the day.

6. Broad Leaf Trees

Okay, I was not expecting this next section to be so cool! If you didn’t feel like you were in a different world in the Dark Woodland, then you definitively will as you emerge from it!

Suddenly it will be bright again, and you’ll be surrounded by the coolest field of gnarled broad leaf trees that you’ve ever seen. (Okay, maybe not ever…but close!) Since it was winter the trees were bare which made it feel like we were on a different planet. Your eyes will be treated with an amazing view of Shutlingsloe or ‘The Cheshire Matterhorn’ to your right. If you have a good camera, make sure to take some incredible photos. Also, don’t forget to turn back quickly to appreciate just how dark it was behind you.

7. Macclesfield Forest Chapel

After walking through the broad leaf tree section you’ll soon reach Charity Lane. You need to carry on to your right towards the Forest Chapel. This Anglican church is a designated Grade II listed building. The original chapel was built in 1673 before it was pretty much entirely re-built in 1834. 

I guess you’re wondering what makes this church so interesting that I have to mention it! So, before churches had stone floors, rushes were used to keep the earthen floors clean. They were collected then strewn together on the ground. These rushes were replaced once a year as part of the rushbearing festival. This tradition ceased once churches were able to have stone floors.

However, this unique rushbearing ceremony is still practiced in a handful of towns in the north of England, and one of them is at this particular Forest Chapel. Pretty cool, don’t you agree?

8. The Reservoirs of Macclesfield Forest

After leaving the Forest Chapel you’ll need to follow the signs leading you towards Trentabank Reservoir. You’ll be walking through another forested section with pine trees everywhere. Soon you’ll arrive to a rather popular area: the reservoirs.

Macclesfield Forest isn’t just beautiful, but a very important water source to people living in the surrounding area. You’ll see four reservoirs right next to one another. Bottoms and Ridgegate were constructed first in 1850 then Tegg’s Nose in 1871. Because of the need for increased water supply Trentabank was built in 1929. The reservoirs now supply water for about 70,000 homes in and around Macclesfield. The forest protects the water collected in two of the four reservoirs (Ridgegate and Trentabank) which are fed by Bollin Brook. The remaining two – Tegg’s Nose and Bottoms – provide compensation water to the River Bollin to ensure a steady stream of water all year round. 

This part of the walk is rather popular with families and walkers, since it’s easily accessible. If you’d like to avoid the crowd, make sure to arrive early!

9. Tegg’s Nose Quarry

Once you’ve admired the reservoirs you’ll slowly have to make your way back up to Tegg’s Nose. It was actually quarried for millstone grit from the 16th century until 1955. There were two quarries, one producing a blue stone, and the other producing Tegg’s Nose Pink. It was done by hand until blasting was introduced in the 1930’s. It was very hard work in unpleasant working conditions for very low wages. Many men died from silicosis before they even turned 50.  

Today you’ll see a well preserved collection of historical quarrying equipment including a jaw crusher, a crane and a stone saw, which was powered by a steam engine.

10. View from the Top of Tegg’s Nose

Today, nature manages to soften the scars caused by quarrying. After doing the short but steep climb up to the top of Tegg’s Nose, your efforts will be rewarded with a magnificent view.

You’ll see the Cheshire Plain to your right, and on a lovely day you’ll be able to see all the way to Wales. To your left you’ll see the start of the Peak District National Park rising up out of nowhere. You’ll see all four reservoirs that you’ve passed and can trace your finger back along the trail you’ve just completed.

I highly recommend spending as long as possible here before heading back to your vehicle.

Additional Things to Do in the Peak District

If you’d like to see more of the Peak District make sure to check out some of my other blog posts:

Monsal Dale and Wye Valley Walk – A 10 km circular route in Monsal Dale and the Wye Valley along the River Wye and Deep Dale, stopping at Monsal Head and Ashford-in-the-Water.  You can read the blog post by clicking here.

Padley Gorge Walk – A magical walk in the Peak District which will make you feel like you’re walking through an enchanted forest. You can read the blog post by clicking here.

Three Shires Head Walk – A picturesque waterfall, located at the meeting point of three counties in the north of England: Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. You can read the blog post by clicking here.

The Trinnacle Walk at Dovestone Reservoir – See some picturesque landscapes and do some cool things like climbing on top of a three-pronged grit-stone stack called the Trinnacle. You can read the blog post by clicking here.

Chatsworth House and Gardens – Explore Britain’s favourite country house and thousands of acres of surrounding parkland. You can read the blog post by clicking here.

Have you ever been to Macclesfield Forest before? If so, how much of the area did you manage to explore? Which was your favourite area? Let me know in the comments below.