Later in the afternoon, following our Marton Revisited cycle ride, Sarah and I along with our friends Neil and Nicholl went for a walk up to White Nancy. This is all part of the preparation training for the upcoming St Cuthbert’s Way walk.

We met at Bollington Recreation Ground.

Our walk began with a stroll alongside the River Dean running through the park grounds.

After leaving the park, we briefly made our way along Palmerston Street before, at the cenotaph, turning into Water Street.

After walking up Water Street we turned into Cow Lane.

Then, having already gone slightly off course, our walk-up Kerridge Hill began inconsequentially as we made our way up through a field. 

Back on course, we picked up a path that forms a section of one of the local Bridgend Heritage Trails.

At the end of the path, we reached Redway Lane. A few metres further on we left the lane and joined a track signposted for White Nancy. This also forms part of the Gritstone Trail.

After a short walk up the track, we were directed towards some steps on the right.

These steps formed a long staircase up to the White Nancy monument at the top of Kerridge Hill. It’s quite a challenging little climb!

White Nancy, often considered to be a folly, was built in 1817 by John Gaskell Jnr to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Originally there was a single furnished room inside, but the entrance is now blocked.

The views out over Bollington, Macclesfield, the Cheshire plain and towards North Wales are spectacular.

We then continued walking along the ridge.

Eventually, we picked a path that took us off the ridge and down towards Rainow.

After working our way through a small wood containing the remains of an old mill we came out along a path through some fields and met Tower Hill.

Once on the road, we followed it through Rainow village.

Then turned off at Sugar Lane.

The next path was difficult to find since it was innocuous and almost hidden behind some cottages. 

We followed the path through some fields towards Waulkmill Woods. It wasn’t hidden now, with stones being helpfully laid out by the landowner.

It was lambing season. There were lots of them about.

The path eventually came out by Waulkmill cottages and passed Waulkmill waterfall.

We then followed Ingersley Vale.

Past the derelict buildings of Clough Mill.

Finally, with it starting to get dark now, we returned along Lord Street. This forms part of the Cheshire Cycleway.

This little 4-mile walk had provided for an enjoyable evening with some lovely scenery along the way. We haven’t done too many walks of note, but this was a little reminder of why getting out into the hills can be such an enjoyable experience. It had also been enjoyable to walk with some friends.

You can view our White Nancy walk below: