The Cage – A Walk to Bowstones and Lyme Park

18 May 2021 Andy

This walk over to The Cage in Lyme Park was the latest in the series of ‘training’ walks for the upcoming St Cuthbert’s Way, which Neil, Nicholl and Sarah will soon be undertaking.

The aim for this walk was to go a bit further and see how we got on. So, we all took time away from work (we all needed a rest!) for the occasion.

We met at Poynton Coppice car park.

Leaving the car park we found the path down to Poynton Brook.

Eventually, we came out onto the Macclesfield Canal. Passing some friendly locals on the way.

We left the canal at Shrigley Road. We briefly followed the road, until picking up the footpath, and the North Cheshire Way, at the side of Green Close Methodist Church.

Already, there were some fantastic views as we climbed high above the Greater Manchester towns behind us.

However, we weren’t finished climbing. We still had Bowstones.

So we continued up towards Sponds Hill and then towards Higher Moor.

Near the top of Higher Moor is the Bowstones. These are a pair of Anglian cross shafts situated beside the old ridgeway between Disley and Macclesfield and overlook Lyme Park.

Indeed, it was down into Lyme Park where we headed next.

From Higher Moor, we descended towards Lantern Wood.

Hidden in Lantern Wood is The Lantern. This is a landmark probably placed on the hill next to the woods in the 1720s. We took a break at the folly to eat our butties. While we did so we, looked out over the park and the Cheshire plain.

After lunch, we continued through Lantern Wood.

We then began dropping down towards another of Lyme Parks follies, the Cage.

The original Cage was built in 1524. It was probably used either as a hunting lodge or a watchtower. It was rebuilt in the 1730s by Giacomo Leoni. He played up its fortress-like appearance but in reality, it was probably used as a banqueting room. Later still, the Cage was home for estate workers.

After the Cage, we headed down to Lyme Hall.

Now managed by the National Trust, Lyme has been owned by the Legh family for just under 600 years. The house was originally built in the 1400s as a hunting lodge. It was later extended in c.1725-35 by Giacomo Leoni.

After passing the house we went for a coffee at the Timber Yard Cafe.

After the coffee, we made our way around the Mill Pond.

Soon after, we picked up the path heading down to the Macclesfield Canal.

Finally, we followed the canal a short way.

Then back alongside Poynton Brook.

Our walk was just over 8 miles, or nearer 9, depending on whose watch you believed. It had been an excellent and varied route taking in some lovely countryside and some magnificent views

You can view our route to The Cage in Lyme Park and up to Bowstones below: