Tegg's Nose
Encyclopedia
Tegg's Nose is a hill situated east of Macclesfield
in Cheshire
, England
. It has a short ridge with a high point of 380 metres (1246 feet) at , terminating in a promontory
at the southern end. It lies on the western edge of the Peak District
, although outside the boundary of the National Park. Much of the hill's area falls within the Tegg's Nose Country Park, managed by Cheshire East Council Countyside Management Service; Tegg's Nose is also part of the Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme
.
Historically quarried for millstone grit
, Tegg's Nose now includes a range of environments including moorland
, meadow
, farmland, broadleaved woodland and is rich in wildlife. Recreational uses of the area include walking
, orienteering
, horse riding
, fell running
, cycling
, mountain biking
, rock climbing
, sledging
and fishing
.
Originally called "Tegge's Naze", "Tegge" might have been the name of an early Norse settler or might refer to a sheep ("teg"), while "nose" probably refers to the southern promontory. The area is believed to have been occupied during the Bronze Age
, and there is a Bronze Age barrow
near High Low Farm south of Tegg's Nose. After the Norman Conquest it formed part of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, a hunting reserve owned by the Earls of Chester
.
The hill was quarried for millstone grit
from the 16th century until 1955. There were two quarries, one by the northern viewpoint at Windyway producing a blue stone, and the other near the Tegg's Nose summit producing Tegg's Nose Pink. Quarrying was originally by hand, giving a high-quality product used for buildings, gravestones, kerbs
, flagstone
s and cobbles
, which was used as far afield as the Isle of Man
. Blasting was introduced in the 1930s, producing crushed stone for roads and airfields, and during the Second World War
, rock for runways was extracted using pneumatic drills
. A collection of historical quarrying equipment is preserved within the Country Park, including a jaw crusher, crane
and a stone saw
, which was powered by a steam engine
. There is evidence of a railway track around the disused summit quarry.
The Bottoms and Teggsnose reservoirs were constructed in 1850 and 1871, respectively, to regulate the flow of the River Bollin
feeding the textile mills of Macclesfield
and Langley
, which once had five water-powered silk mills. The nearby Ridgegate Reservoir to the east was constructed at a similar time to provide drinking water for Macclesfield, with Trentabank Reservoir
following in the 1920s.
Much of the area is a mixture of moorland
and meadow
s. The moorland is dominated by wood sage
, heather
and bilberry
, while the meadows support a range of wild flowers including mountain pansy
, tormentil
and harebell. At lower elevations, gorse
, bramble
and hawthorn appear. The broadleaved Teggsnose Wood covers the southern part of the hill, with oak
, beech
, hornbeam
, holly
and mountain ash
.
Birds observed in the area include woodpecker
s, nuthatch
es, flycatcher
s, tree creepers
, thrushes
, tits, warbler
s, buzzard
s and raven
s, as well as various waterfowl on the reservoirs including grebe
s and tufted ducks
. The area is grazed in summer by Angus Cross cattle from a farm in Langley.
At the base of the hill to the south lie the small Bottoms Reservoir (34 million gallons) and Teggsnose Reservoir (24.5 million gallons), with the Walker Barn stream feeding the latter.
The Tegg's Nose ridge has three viewpoints. On clear days the views across the Cheshire Plain
to the west take in Liverpool
and the Welsh hills. To the east can be seen Macclesfield Forest
and the distinctive hill of Shutlingsloe
.
Several public footpaths, concessionary paths and bridleways cross the area. The Tegg's Nose Trail is a circular waymarked trail of 4 km (2.5 mi) around the area; part of the trail is a bridleway. The waymarkers for this trail take the form of circular plaques depicting the view towards Shutlingsloe
. The "Walk to the Forest" is another waymarked circular trail of 11 km (6.8 mi) linking Tegg's Nose and the plantation of Macclesfield Forest. Saddlers Way, which forms part of both of these trails, was a former packhorse
track. Tegg's Nose lies on the Gritstone Trail
long-distance footpath
, forming the end of the northern stage and the start of the central stage. It also forms an access point for ascending Shutlingsloe via Macclesfield Forest.
The area is used for orienteering
, with several permanent courses available. The Tegg's Nose Fell Race is run annually in August.
Three cycling routes start at Tegg's Nose. "Grit and Gears" is a 19 km (11.8 mi) partly off-road circular trail suitable for mountain bike
s; "Riding the Ridges" is a 28 km (17.4 mi) circular route on minor roads with optional off-road sections; and Regional Cycle Route
71 is a long-distance linear road route. The Cheshire Cycleway (route 70) also passes just to the south and east of the Country Park.
There are ten traditional
climbing
routes on the quarried gritstone
, ranging in grade from Difficult to Mild Very Severe. Sledging
is popular in winter, with fields set aside for the activity. Private coarse fishing
is available at Teggsnose and Bottoms Reservoirs, with Mirror
and Common carp
and bream.
At the northern viewpoint is a visitors' centre off the Buxton Old Road, which provides car and horse box parking, information, public toilets, picnic tables and a telescope. Several open-air sculptures stand near the visitors' centre; these include a stone sheep, a bench with an abstract tree and a set of carved wooden benches surrounding the viewpoint. Car parking is also available by Teggsnose Reservoir and at the Trentabank ranger station in Macclesfield Forest
. Nearby public houses are the Leather's Smithy by Ridgegate Reservoir and the St Dunstan in the village of Langley
.
The area can be reached by bus from Macclesfield
or Buxton
. Wheelchair access is limited due to the nature of the terrain, and there are unfenced vertical drops. Local tourist accommodation is very limited.
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It has a short ridge with a high point of 380 metres (1246 feet) at , terminating in a promontory
Promontory
Promontory may refer to:*Promontory, a prominent mass of land which overlooks lower lying land or a body of water*Promontory, Utah, the location where the United States first Transcontinental Railroad was completed...
at the southern end. It lies on the western edge of the Peak District
Peak District
The Peak District is an upland area in central and northern England, lying mainly in northern Derbyshire, but also covering parts of Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, and South and West Yorkshire....
, although outside the boundary of the National Park. Much of the hill's area falls within the Tegg's Nose Country Park, managed by Cheshire East Council Countyside Management Service; Tegg's Nose is also part of the Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme
Environmentally Sensitive Area
An Environmentally Sensitive Area is a type of designation for an agricultural area which needs special protection because of its landscape, wildlife or historical value. The scheme was introduced in 1987...
.
Historically quarried for millstone grit
Gritstone
Gritstone or Grit is a hard, coarse-grained, siliceous sandstone. This term is especially applied to such sandstones that are quarried for building material. British gritstone was used for millstones to mill flour, to grind wood into pulp for paper and for grindstones to sharpen blades. "Grit" is...
, Tegg's Nose now includes a range of environments including moorland
Moorland
Moorland or moor is a type of habitat, in the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome, found in upland areas, characterised by low-growing vegetation on acidic soils and heavy fog...
, meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
, farmland, broadleaved woodland and is rich in wildlife. Recreational uses of the area include walking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
, horse riding
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
, fell running
Fell running
Fell running, also known as mountain running and hill running, is the sport of running and racing, off road, over upland country where the gradient climbed is a significant component of the difficulty...
, cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, sledging
Sledding
Sledding , sledging , sleding or tobogganing is a common activity in wintry areas, similar to sliding, but in a prone or seated position requiring a device or vehicle generically known in the US as a sled or in other countries as a sledge or toboggan...
and fishing
Recreational fishing
Recreational fishing, also called sport fishing, is fishing for pleasure or competition. It can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is fishing for profit, or subsistence fishing, which is fishing for survival....
.
History
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
, and there is a Bronze Age barrow
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
near High Low Farm south of Tegg's Nose. After the Norman Conquest it formed part of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, a hunting reserve owned by the Earls of Chester
Earl of Chester
The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England. Since 1301 the title has generally been granted to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.- Honour of Chester :The...
.
The hill was quarried for millstone grit
Gritstone
Gritstone or Grit is a hard, coarse-grained, siliceous sandstone. This term is especially applied to such sandstones that are quarried for building material. British gritstone was used for millstones to mill flour, to grind wood into pulp for paper and for grindstones to sharpen blades. "Grit" is...
from the 16th century until 1955. There were two quarries, one by the northern viewpoint at Windyway producing a blue stone, and the other near the Tegg's Nose summit producing Tegg's Nose Pink. Quarrying was originally by hand, giving a high-quality product used for buildings, gravestones, kerbs
Curb (road)
A curb, or kerb , is the edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road shoulder meets an unraised street or other roadway.-Function:...
, flagstone
Flagstone
Flagstone, is a generic flat stone, usually used for paving slabs or walkways, patios, fences and roofing. It may be used for memorials, headstones, facades and other constructions. The name derives from Middle English flagge meaning turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga meaning slab.Flagstone is a...
s and cobbles
Cobblestone
Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. "Cobblestone" is derived from the very old English word "cob", which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was "rounded lump" with overtones of large size...
, which was used as far afield as the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. Blasting was introduced in the 1930s, producing crushed stone for roads and airfields, and during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, rock for runways was extracted using pneumatic drills
Jackhammer
A jackhammer is a pneumatic tool that combines a hammer directly with a chisel that was invented by Charles Brady King. Hand-held jackhammers are typically powered by compressed air, but some use electric motors. Larger jackhammers, such as rig mounted hammers used on construction machinery, are...
. A collection of historical quarrying equipment is preserved within the Country Park, including a jaw crusher, crane
Crane (machine)
A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. It uses one or more simple machines to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the normal capability of...
and a stone saw
Saw
A saw is a tool that uses a hard blade or wire with an abrasive edge to cut through softer materials. The cutting edge of a saw is either a serrated blade or an abrasive...
, which was powered by a steam engine
Steam engine
A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid.Steam engines are external combustion engines, where the working fluid is separate from the combustion products. Non-combustion heat sources such as solar power, nuclear power or geothermal energy may be...
. There is evidence of a railway track around the disused summit quarry.
The Bottoms and Teggsnose reservoirs were constructed in 1850 and 1871, respectively, to regulate the flow of the River Bollin
River Bollin
The River Bollin is a major tributary of the River Mersey in the north-west of England.It rises in Macclesfield Forest at the western end of the Peak District, and can be seen in spring form, from the Buxton to Macclesfield road. The stream then descends the through Macclesfield and Wilmslow where...
feeding the textile mills of Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
and Langley
Langley, Cheshire
Langley is a semi-rural village in the county of Cheshire, England, on the River Bollin, near Macclesfield and Macclesfield Forest.Langley Mill, founded by William Smith in 1826, became the biggest silk printing, dyeing and finishing works in the world...
, which once had five water-powered silk mills. The nearby Ridgegate Reservoir to the east was constructed at a similar time to provide drinking water for Macclesfield, with Trentabank Reservoir
Trentabank Reservoir
Trentabank Reservoir is located within Macclesfield Forest, partly in the Peak District National Park in England, and is home to rich unimproved uplands and grasslands...
following in the 1920s.
Ecology and geography
Moorland
Moorland or moor is a type of habitat, in the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome, found in upland areas, characterised by low-growing vegetation on acidic soils and heavy fog...
and meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
s. The moorland is dominated by wood sage
Salvia
Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae, with approximately 700-900 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. It is one of several genera commonly referred to as sage. When used without modifiers, sage generally refers to Salvia officinalis ; however, it is...
, heather
Calluna
Calluna vulgaris is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae. It is a low-growing perennial shrub growing to tall, or rarely to and taller, and is found widely in Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade...
and bilberry
Bilberry
Bilberry is any of several species of low-growing shrubs in the genus Vaccinium , bearing edible berries. The species most often referred to is Vaccinium myrtillus L., but there are several other closely related species....
, while the meadows support a range of wild flowers including mountain pansy
Viola lutea
Viola lutea , also known as Mountain Pansy, is a species in the genus Viola. It is native to Europe....
, tormentil
Tormentil
Common Tormentil is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the rose family , also known as Septfoil or simply as "tormentil" .-Characteristics:It is a low, clumb-forming plant with slender, procumbent...
and harebell. At lower elevations, gorse
Gorse
Gorse, furze, furse or whin is a genus of about 20 plant species of thorny evergreen shrubs in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native to western Europe and northwest Africa, with the majority of species in Iberia.Gorse is closely related to the brooms, and like them, has green...
, bramble
Bramble
Brambles are thorny plants of the genus Rubus, in the rose family . Bramble fruit is the fruit of any such plant, including the blackberry and raspberry. The word comes from Germanic *bram-bezi, whence also German Brombeere , Dutch Braam and French framboise...
and hawthorn appear. The broadleaved Teggsnose Wood covers the southern part of the hill, with oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
, hornbeam
Hornbeam
Hornbeams are relatively small hardwood trees in the genus Carpinus . Though some botanists grouped them with the hazels and hop-hornbeams in a segregate family, Corylaceae, modern botanists place the hornbeams in the birch subfamily Coryloideae...
, holly
Holly
Ilex) is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones world wide....
and mountain ash
Sorbus aucuparia
Sorbus aucuparia , is a species of the genus Sorbus, native to most of Europe except for the far south, and northern Asia...
.
Birds observed in the area include woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s, nuthatch
Eurasian Nuthatch
The Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea, is a small passerine found throughout temperate Europe and Asia, although not in Ireland. It belongs to the nuthatch family Sittidae....
es, flycatcher
Old World flycatcher
The Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae is a large family of small passerine birds mostly restricted to the Old World. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.-Characteristics:...
s, tree creepers
Common Treecreeper
The Eurasian Treecreeper or Common Treecreeper is a small passerine bird also known in the British Isles, where it is the only living member of its genus, simply as Treecreeper. It is similar to other treecreepers, and has a curved bill, patterned brown upperparts, whitish underparts, and long...
, thrushes
Thrush (bird)
The thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds that occur worldwide.-Characteristics:Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. The smallest thrush may be the Forest Rock-thrush, at and...
, tits, warbler
Warbler
There are a number of Passeriformes called "warblers". They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous....
s, buzzard
Common Buzzard
The Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.-Description:...
s and raven
Common Raven
The Common Raven , also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids...
s, as well as various waterfowl on the reservoirs including grebe
Grebe
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes order, a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter...
s and tufted ducks
Tufted Duck
The Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula, is a medium-sized diving duck with a population of close to one million birds.- Description :The adult male is all black except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill. It has an obvious head tuft that gives the species its name.The adult female is brown with paler...
. The area is grazed in summer by Angus Cross cattle from a farm in Langley.
At the base of the hill to the south lie the small Bottoms Reservoir (34 million gallons) and Teggsnose Reservoir (24.5 million gallons), with the Walker Barn stream feeding the latter.
Activities
Cheshire Plain
The Cheshire Plain is a relatively flat expanse of lowland situated almost entirely within the county of Cheshire in northwest England. It is bounded by the hills of North Wales to the west, and the Peak District of Derbyshire and North Staffordshire to the east and southeast...
to the west take in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and the Welsh hills. To the east can be seen Macclesfield Forest
Macclesfield Forest
Macclesfield Forest is an area of woodland, predominantly conifer plantation, located around south east of Macclesfield in the civil parish of Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough, in Cheshire, England. The existing woodland is the last substantial remnant of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, a...
and the distinctive hill of Shutlingsloe
Shutlingsloe
Shutlingsloe is a hill near the village of Wildboarclough, in the east of the county of Cheshire. It stands to the south of Macclesfield Forest, on the edge of the Peak District and within the Peak District National Park....
.
Several public footpaths, concessionary paths and bridleways cross the area. The Tegg's Nose Trail is a circular waymarked trail of 4 km (2.5 mi) around the area; part of the trail is a bridleway. The waymarkers for this trail take the form of circular plaques depicting the view towards Shutlingsloe
Shutlingsloe
Shutlingsloe is a hill near the village of Wildboarclough, in the east of the county of Cheshire. It stands to the south of Macclesfield Forest, on the edge of the Peak District and within the Peak District National Park....
. The "Walk to the Forest" is another waymarked circular trail of 11 km (6.8 mi) linking Tegg's Nose and the plantation of Macclesfield Forest. Saddlers Way, which forms part of both of these trails, was a former packhorse
Packhorse
.A packhorse or pack horse refers generally to an equid such as a horse, mule, donkey or pony used for carrying goods on their backs, usually carried in sidebags or panniers. Typically packhorses are used to cross difficult terrain, where the absence of roads prevents the use of wheeled vehicles. ...
track. Tegg's Nose lies on the Gritstone Trail
Cheshire Gritstone Trail
The Cheshire Gritstone Trail is a long-distance footpath in England split into three stages. The first stage, in length, leads from Disley to Tegg's Nose; the second, of length , from Tegg's Nose to Timbersbrook, is the best for obtaining a close look at gritstone scenery...
long-distance footpath
Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom
-England and Wales: National Trails:National Trails are distinguished by being maintained by the National Trails organization . , there are fifteen such trails, one of which is not yet complete....
, forming the end of the northern stage and the start of the central stage. It also forms an access point for ascending Shutlingsloe via Macclesfield Forest.
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
, with several permanent courses available. The Tegg's Nose Fell Race is run annually in August.
Three cycling routes start at Tegg's Nose. "Grit and Gears" is a 19 km (11.8 mi) partly off-road circular trail suitable for mountain bike
Mountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
s; "Riding the Ridges" is a 28 km (17.4 mi) circular route on minor roads with optional off-road sections; and Regional Cycle Route
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
71 is a long-distance linear road route. The Cheshire Cycleway (route 70) also passes just to the south and east of the Country Park.
There are ten traditional
Traditional climbing
Traditional climbing, or trad climbing, is a style of rock climbing in which a climber or group of climbers places all gear required to protect against falls , and removes it when a passage is complete...
climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
routes on the quarried gritstone
Gritstone
Gritstone or Grit is a hard, coarse-grained, siliceous sandstone. This term is especially applied to such sandstones that are quarried for building material. British gritstone was used for millstones to mill flour, to grind wood into pulp for paper and for grindstones to sharpen blades. "Grit" is...
, ranging in grade from Difficult to Mild Very Severe. Sledging
Sledding
Sledding , sledging , sleding or tobogganing is a common activity in wintry areas, similar to sliding, but in a prone or seated position requiring a device or vehicle generically known in the US as a sled or in other countries as a sledge or toboggan...
is popular in winter, with fields set aside for the activity. Private coarse fishing
Coarse fishing
Coarse fishing is a term used in the United Kingdom and Ireland for angling for coarse fish, which are those types of freshwater fish other than game fish . The sport and the techniques used are particularly popular in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.-History:The term "coarse fishing"...
is available at Teggsnose and Bottoms Reservoirs, with Mirror
Mirror carp
Mirror carp are a type of fish, commonly found in the United Kingdom and Europe. The name "Mirror Carp" originates from their scales' resemblance to mirrors. They can grow in excess of 60lb - the last few British record fish have all been mirror carp....
and Common carp
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
and bream.
Facilities and access
Macclesfield Forest
Macclesfield Forest is an area of woodland, predominantly conifer plantation, located around south east of Macclesfield in the civil parish of Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough, in Cheshire, England. The existing woodland is the last substantial remnant of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, a...
. Nearby public houses are the Leather's Smithy by Ridgegate Reservoir and the St Dunstan in the village of Langley
Langley, Cheshire
Langley is a semi-rural village in the county of Cheshire, England, on the River Bollin, near Macclesfield and Macclesfield Forest.Langley Mill, founded by William Smith in 1826, became the biggest silk printing, dyeing and finishing works in the world...
.
The area can be reached by bus from Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
or Buxton
Buxton
Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England. Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as "the gateway to the Peak District National Park"...
. Wheelchair access is limited due to the nature of the terrain, and there are unfenced vertical drops. Local tourist accommodation is very limited.