Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Disley Circular

PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing

The Cheshire village of Disley is a popular destination to visit for lovers of the great outdoors. With its picturesque setting of charming stone buildings, surrounded by scenic hills, it’s perfect for an afternoon stroll. This circular walk takes us through Lyme Park and past its grand hall and the impressive Cage, with spectacular views throughout. Afterwards, we’ll quench our thirst with some great cask beers at one of the many quality pubs that Disley offers.

Public Transport Information

Disley is on the Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton railway line, with an hourly service. The ticket required is a return to Disley. The 199 bus stops at Disley along its Stockport to Buxton route. This runs every half hour in peak times and hourly in the evening.

The Walk

This five-mile circular walk has 200 metres (600 feet) of ascent. The paths are generally good, but some areas will get muddy after wet weather, so hiking boots are advised. Both pubs are dog-friendly.

The walk begins from platform 2 of Disley station. If travelling from the Manchester Piccadilly direction, you’ll need to walk up to the road and back down to the opposite side. We start by walking past the ticket office to a sign for the Gritstone Trail, then climb up the long wooden steps. These first few yards are arguably the hardest of the whole walk! At the top, carry straight on up the road, then left at the junction, signposted to St Mary's Church. After a few yards, take the road to the right with a small sign for the Gritstone Trail showing us the way. Carry on along this road, which becomes a track, for half a mile.

We now have our first glimpses of the nearby hills and to our right is The Cage, a famous local landmark that will be in view for a large part of the walk. When we pass a house with a red telephone box in the garden, carry on straight ahead along the grit path for 500 yards, passing through a gate on the way. At an old sign to Kettleshulme, pass through the gate and then continue right. Shortly afterwards, we arrive at Bollinhurst Bridge, where signs confirm that it is currently unsafe to use. Instead, take a right to use the wooden steps then rejoin the path as before, which brings us to East Lodge, and through the gate into Lyme Park. Watch out for mud here, and please close the gate afterwards. We now follow this wide track for one mile until we reach Lyme Hall, with more spectacular views of The Cage and the local area as we walk. You’ll find cafes and toilets at the hall, which is always worth a look around if time allows.

Continuing our walk, our next goal is to reach The Cage. Retrace your steps back up the road to the first junction, with a sign for ‘Accessible Parking’. Our route is left here, up a wide grass path with a sign for GM Ringway. Walking between the avenue of mature trees, we arrive at The Cage with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including Greater Manchester and beyond. Continuing in the same direction as before, we follow the wide grass path downhill and pass two trees. Shortly after passing a third tree, when the main path bears slightly to the left, we carry on straight ahead, down along a grassy path and head towards the road. At the toll booth, we turn right to walk through the gate signposted to Red Lane. Walk straight ahead along this lane for a half mile. At the road junction, take a left down the hill then right which brings you back into Disley where your rewarding beers await.

Malt Disley The micropub Malt Disley never disappoints when it comes to beer. Since opening in 2017, the awards have kept coming for the pub’s dedication to cask beer excellence, of which up to five are available. On my last visit, Thornsett Brewery’s Home Sweet Home, Eyam Brewery’s Riley Gold, plus White Rat and Silver King from Ossett were on the handpumps. An impressive range of up to 10 quality keg beers also features. It’s not all about the beer though. The pub offers a relaxed and welcoming space, with reclaimed timber featuring throughout, and warm lighting giving a cosy feel. It’s the perfect place to recharge after the day’s adventures. Additional seating is available downstairs.

Albert The Albert can be found 500 yards further along the main road. A recent winner of the High Peak Branch’s Pub of the Season for spring, it’s one of the most improved pubs in the area. With new management in place last year, the pub has been given a new lease of life, starting with a vast improvement of the beer offering. Up to four well-kept cask beers now feature, often from breweries that are unseen elsewhere in the village. On my last visit, these were Draught Bass, Abbeydale’s Moonshine and Fool’s Gold from Bootleg. As well as friendly and welcoming staff, a sensitive refurbishment has given the interior a much-needed freshen-up. A sizeable beer garden lies to the rear, with views of the local hills.

For full pub details, including opening times, visit camra.org.uk/pubs. The Lyme Park estate gates are locked at 8pm in summer and 5pm in winter.

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