Autumnal Walk from Disley into Lyme Park and the Bow Stones

Lyme Park is famous for the BBC adaptation of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice and as also been used as the location for an episode of Red Dwarf and many more.

It's a beautiful area in Cheshire and in autumn the leaves on the trees will be the colours of October.

We will start this walk from The Rams head in Disley, of which we can use as an after walk refreshment stop.
Parking in Disley can be sparse so the village has good public transport connections of which I will be using.

We will be heading into Lyme Park joining the Gritstone Trail. Our first initial climb will be up onto a hillock where the sandstone majestic cage sits. This building has been used as a hunting lodge, a banqueting hall, a games keeper residence as well as a jail for poachers!

From here will will have panoramic views over to the Manchester skyline, Cheshire plains, rolling hills across to the Peak District and Kinder Scout.

After descending, we can call into the Old Workshop Coffee Shop for a warm drink. Here is the only toilets available to us on the walk.

As we leave Lyme Park centre we will head back onto the Gritstone Trail. This will take us though Knightslow Wood, through several gates until we merge onto moorland, here is where the Red Deer live.

After our climb we will get to a ladder stile, a perfect place to have a spot of lunch.

This is where we will come across the Bow Stones, which are two carved cross shafts, they stand rather wonkily high above Lyme Park, dating back to the 9th / 10th century making them officially an ancient monument.

From there we head through a few fields to Bollinhurst Bridge. Then back through the Millennium Wood towards the North Lodge back in Lyme Park.

Distance is around 6/7 miles at a leisurely pace taking in the views and historical points of Lyme Park.

Ascent 290m

The Disclaimer!
We are a group of like-minded adults who share the same interest, the great outdoors.
Our leaders/event hosts are volunteers, they're there to guide groups on walks in the countryside, they're not responsible for each and every participant other than themselves.
It is expected that all participants to be fully responsible for themselves and their own safety, we do not employ first aiders or qualified walk leaders. Participants are also expected to attend every walk with suitable clothing, footwear and any other equipment, that includes waterproofs for wet weather and walking poles if you need them regularly. Enough food and drink for the day is also required.
Some activities in more mountainous regions such as the Lake District, Wales and Scotland, can be more challenging, our walk leaders will use the principal of the groups safety at all times and if the conditions dramatically change for the worse, they will reserve the right to end the walk and turn back.
If for any reason you are concerned about the potential risks of our activities whilst out with the group you could consider taking out a personal insurance plan, e.g. The BMC (British Mountaineering Council)