A walk around Little Moreton Hall Gardens
Access statement
Surveyed 22/04/08
Two walks are described: a short DEFRA conservation walk using permissive
paths; and a longer walk that takes in more of the surrounding countryside
and a section of the Macclesfield canal. Both begin at the National Trust car
park for Little Moreton Hall.
There are 9 stiles, 7 kissing gates and 2 field gates on the longer route. There
is 1 stream crossing without a bridge, but the stream is less than 1m wide.
About 30m of this route has a gradient greater than 1:6. On the DEFRA
conservation walk there is 1 stile, 3 kissing gates, 3 bridle gates and 4 field
gates. There are also 2 footbridges with handrails and 7 wood and earth
steps.
1. Turn left out of the National Trust car park and proceed along the drive
towards the Hall. Follow the public footpath sign for the South Cheshire Way,
passing through a field gate with the Hall on your left. (0.03km)
2. Pass through a wooden kissing gate and continue along the field edge.
(0.23km)
3. Pass through a wooden kissing gate (0.28km), cross the farm track and
pass through another wooden kissing gate (0.33km), then continue diagonally
across the field towards the next stile.
4. Cross stile and continue along the edge of the field. (0.51km) (alternative
route – DEFRA conservation walk - begins from this point.)
5. Cross stile and continue along the hedgerow. (0.68km)
6. Join farm track. (1.18km)
7. Take public right of way sign to your left, cross stile and continue straight
across the field. (1.37km)
8. Cross stile and bear right across the field, descend a slope of >1:6 for
about 30m. (1.65km)
9. Cross stile and bear right. (1.87km)
10. Cross stream (no bridge, but <1m wide) and cross stile, then continue
diagonally across the field. (2.05km)
11. Cross stile and turn right along New Road. (2.32km)
12. Take turning to your left across the field onto the Macclesfield Canal
towpath and turn right. (2.55km)
13. Pass under 1 bridge and continue along towpath. (2.61km)
14. Pass under a second bridge and turn right through a metal kissing gate
along the South Cheshire Way. (3.28km). Retrace your steps back to the Hall:
 Pass through a metal kissing gate and turn left back along the farm
track and rejoin the footpath back to the Hall. (3.32km)

Cross stile and follow field edge. (4.06km)

Cross stile. (4.23km)

Pass through a kissing gate. (4.40km)

Pass through a kissing gate. (4.46km)

Pass through a wooden field gate and continue back to the Hall car
park. (4.70km)
Total distance = 4.75km, 2.95 miles
Summary
Surfaces – gravel, tarmac, grass and earth.
Barriers – 9 stiles, 7 kissing gates and 2 wooden field gates.
Steps – none.
Gradients – approx. 30m >1:6.
Widths – all greater than 2m.
DEFRA conservation walk.
15. After crossing the stile at point 4 above (0.51km) bear right around the
edge of a small copse and pond.
16. Pass through wooden kissing gate and continue straight across the field.
(0.67km)
17. Pass through a wooden bridle gate and descend 7 wood and earth steps
and large gravel path. (0.80km)

Pass through a wooden kissing gate. (0.82km)
18. Pass through a wooden bridle gate and cross a footbridge with a handrail,
then pass through another wooden bridle gate and continue straight on across
field with a raised bank to your left. (0.86km)
19. Pass through a wooden kissing gate and bear right across the field.
(0.98km)
20. Pass through 2 wooden field gates with footbridge with handrails in
between and bear right across the field. (1.25km)
21. Pass through a wooden field gate and turn left onto a green lane leading
back to Hall drive. (1.36km)

Turn left onto Hall Drive (1.43km)

Pass through a wooden field gate and continue back to Hall car park.
(1.54km)
Total distance = 1.59km, 0.99 miles
Summary
Surfaces – gravel (large, loose material), tarmac, grass and earth.
Barriers – 1 stile, 3 wooden kissing gates, 4 wooden field gates and 3 wooden
bridle gates.
Steps – 7 wood and earth steps.
Gradients – none >1:10.
Widths – all greater than 2m.