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Styal Woods and the Bollin Valley
October 6
Walk leaders : Cliff B & Colin C
Grading of walk : Moderate
Walk details : This is a lovely 5.4 mile woodland walk, especially at this time of year with many of Styal Woods’ magnificent trees starting to display their autumn colour.
We will meet at Styal Mill visitors centre and head towards the picturesque Styal Village, before entering Chapel Woods. We will make our way through the woods down to the Bollin Valley taking the riverside path. Once through the wood we reach our refreshment stop near to the Airport Inn. Please bring your own snacks, drinks, etc.
After crossing the busy Altrincham road we walk through fields before reaching a country track, which takes us back to the main road. We recross the road and follow a woodland path which takes us back to the Bollin Valley and Quarry Bank Mill.
At the mill, there are toilets, a take out for hot drinks etc. and ice cream kiosk, as well as the National Trust café. The café has a large seating area, ideal for larger groups should we wish to visit. n.b. you don’t need to be a NT member to use these facilities.
The section at the beginning of this walk can be quite challenging, hence the ‘Moderate’ grading. The path is very uneven in places and there are also a number of long, steep, uneven flights of stairs to negotiate.
Risk assessment : A risk assessment was carried out 30/09/2024. A summary of identified risks is below:
Roads – We will be crossing the busy Altrincham road, which is the main road into Wilmslow, twice. There is a crossing place where we recross this road but care is needed.
Terrain – While some of the paths are well made, some of our route is along uneven paths with many exposed tree roots. The NT volunteers have done a lot of work to improve the woodland paths recently. There are also a number of long, steep, uneven flights of stairs to negotiate. It WILL be muddy so walking boots are recommended.
Water – We will be walking alongside and crossing the river Bollin throughout this walk so please be aware of this.
Livestock – There maybe livestock stock when we cross the fields.
The walk leaders will remind walkers of any additional risk which may be encountered at appropriate points on the walk.
Start time and meeting point : This walk starts at Quarry Bank Mill’s visitor’s centre, SK9 4HP. The start time is 12:00 and will will aim to end the walk no later than 16:00.
Directions to the start : By car from M60 take junction 4 onto M56, then junction 5, towards Manchester Airport. Continue onto Ringway road turning right onto Hollin Lane at traffic lights, towards Styal. Continue onto Styal Road, B5166. Quarry Bank Mill is off Styal road. Post code SK9 4HP. Follow brown heritage signs.
From Manchester city centre, take A5103, Princess Parkway onto M56 and then follow the instructions above.
Parking: Parking at Quarry Bank Mill is FREE to members and non-members alike. The post code for Quarry Bank Mill is SK9 4HP. On-street parking in Styal is very limited. The small car park on the main road is now ‘residence only’ parking. Styal will be very busy on Sunday.
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Public transport : There are no viable public transport options for this walk. Please consider car sharing.
Contact number on the day :
Booking : Book your walk here
Changes and cancellation : Very occasionally, due to severe weather or another serious event, a walk may be cancelled. In these instances, a note will be added to the website at least TWO HOURS before the start time. So, do check the website before you set out, and if in doubt use the walk leader’s mobile contact number. Every effort will be made to contact you should a walk be cancelled.