Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Bollington

PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing

Spring is a great season to explore the countryside with a pub walk. As well as witnessing the reawakening of nature through bulbs, blossom and birdsong, more light and better weather means we can spend more time visiting fine pubs and drinking quality cask beer. The picturesque mill town of Bollington is the destination for this adventure, with good pubs along the way.

Public Transport and Walk Information

This walk starts from Macclesfield Railway Station, which has an excellent train service from Manchester Piccadilly. The route to Bollington is a four-mile stretch along the Middlewood Way, with an optional four-mile walk back. The bus options back to Macclesfield are the 10 and 391. Last buses are around 6pm and unfortunately there's no Sunday service. The path is excellent on the Middlewood Way, with the return along the canal towpath becoming a little muddy after wet weather. All venues are dog-friendly.

The Walk

Turn right on exiting Macclesfield Railway Station and walk down the approach to the main road. Cross over the zebra crossing then turn right to walk past the Nags Head. Stay on the same pavement to walk under the railway bridge, then the road bridge. Carry straight ahead and follow the Middlewood Way signs where we soon turn right then cross the main road at the lights. Turn right on the other side and immediately left to walk down Black Lane. Cross over the zebra crossing and walk along the path with the River Bollin on your right. After 300 yards, we walk through the road tunnel and turn right on the other side to continue along the wide tarmacked Middlewood Way.

After half a mile, we cross straight over the road at the lights, and a further half mile along we cross over the A523 on the impressive Middlewood Way Bridge. After another half mile, we walk under a bridge with a brick wall in the middle. We now have the option to leave the trail for our first pub stop. Taking the zigzag path to the left, up to Clarke Lane, we turn right at the top which brings us to the Lord Clyde after 300 yards. Originally a 17th century cottage, this charming country pub might be small in size but offers a big welcome in peaceful surroundings. Timothy Taylor Landlord was the cask beer offering when I last visited, but up to three are available at peak times. Food is very popular.

Holly Bush Retracing our steps back to the Middlewood Way, we continue along the path for half a mile, including a zigzag incline, to Grimshaw Lane, as we enter Bollington. Cross straight across here to rejoin the trail and after a quarter of a mile we walk over the spectacular Bollington Viaduct, with stunning views of the town. At the end of the viaduct, we leave the Middlewood Way by turning right, to go back on ourselves, which takes us down large steps. At the bottom, turn left and walk next to the car park to Adlington Road. To the left is the Vale Inn]] which is owned by Bollington Brewery. At the time of writing, the pub was closed and awaiting a tenant. Hopefully this Good Beer Guide regular will reopen shortly.

Cotton Tree Turning right instead, and walking along Adlington Road to the main road, then turning left, gives us the option for more pubs, a walk back to Macclesfield along the canal or to catch the bus back instead. After passing the Dog & Partridge – a cosy multi-roomed local, selling up to three cask beers from Robinsons – a further 200 yards along the road and to the right brings us to some steep steps that lead to the canal. A more gradual upward slope is available on the opposite side of the road that leads towards the impressive Clarence Mill. But first, let me tempt you with two more pubs which are found along Palmerston Street, under the canal bridge.

The Holly Bush is another Robinsons pub offering up to four of their cask beers in a cosy and welcoming space. Refurbished recently to a high standard, some old features were removed but what remains still offers much to the traditional pub fan, with oak panelling throughout, original wooden floors and real fires adding to the charm.

Castle Conveniently located opposite the bus terminus, the Cotton Tree is a much-loved pub and a must-visit, with bags of character and an adorable hint of quirkiness. A wonderful mix of memorabilia adorns the walls and ceilings, with stone floors, scrubbed tables, settles and a real fire turning the cosiness up to 11. Deservedly Good Beer Guide-listed, quality cask beer is at the heart of operations. JW Lees Boddingtons, Hogs Back Tongham Tea, Theakston Best Bitter and Draught Bass were available on my last visit, when a fine folk band was playing.

If walking back to Macclesfield along the canal, make sure you’ve got the water on your left. Follow the canal towpath for one mile until you reach Clarke Lane, at the snake bridge number 29. Turn right here, and after 150 yards we can rejoin the Middlewood Way by turning right, and retrace our steps back to Macclesfield. Back in the town centre, the Castle is always worthy of a visit before catching the train home, with the perfect blend of excellent Good Beer Guide cask beers and an outstanding heritage interior.

For full pub details, including opening times, visit camra.org.uk/pubs.

Back to the walks master page