6 great walks near Congleton

It’s quite easy to bypass Congleton in favour of the nearby Peak District when searching for walking ideas, but you will be missing out on a wide ranging choice of routes.

Daffodils in Astbury by John Cocks (Image: Archant)

Astbury and Little Moreton Hall
2 miles from Congleton
Start in the village of Astbury, just a few minutes south of Congleton, take in a section of the Macclesfield Canal before heading onto 16th century Little Moreton Hall, now managed by the National Trust.
Click here to view the details of the Astbury walk

The views of the Cheshire Plain from The Cloud by Keith Carter (Image: Archant)

Timbersbrook and the Cloud
3 miles from Congleton
This walk strays close to the Cheshire/ Staffordshire border, starting with a stiff climb to the summit of the gritstone outcrop known as The Cloud, 1,126 feet above sea level. We are in the secretive countryside of East Cheshire, an area defined by the Macclesfield Canal and the River Dane with the Manchester/Stoke railway line bisecting it on a north/south axis.
Click here to view the details of the Timbersbrook walk

The canal near Bosley Top Lock by Howard Bradbury (Image: Archant)

North Rode
4 miles from Congleton
Set off from Bosley Top Lock on the Macclesfield, head eastwards toward the quiet village of North Rode then northwards onto Gawsworth with its famous landmarks.
Click here to view the details of the North Rode walk

St James & St Paul Marton Church in Marton by Keith Carter (Image: Keith Carter)

Marton
4 miles from Congleton
Set off from the pretty village of Marton, famous for the medieval church of St James and St Paul, head north towards the edge of the Capesthorne Estate before heading home again.
Click here to view the details of the Marton walk

Reflections at Gawsworth by Margaret Stringer (Image: Archant)

Gawsworth and Danes Moss
5 miles from Congleton
This walk sets off from Gawsworth, a place worth visiting in itself for the architecture, we then head towards Danes Moss, a place for wildlife and nature lovers.
Click here to view the details of the Gawsworth walk

Mow Cop by John Cocks (Image: Archant)

Mow Cop
6 miles from Congleton
This walk passes by the famous folly of Mow Cop Castle near the Cheshire-Staffordshire border, but you can also visit a lesser known landmark called The Old Man of Mow, a 65ft pillar of gritstone.
Click here to view the details of the Mow Cop walk

All the routes were correct at the time of publication, over time access to certain parts of the walk may be subject to change. We advise you acquire a recent OS map of the area you plan to visit and assure there are no major changes.