Alderley Park - SHORT WALK

Alderley Park circular walk. 

5miles. Easy/moderate (281' ascent OS).
Start 10 am.  Beech Wood open air car park (small charge - about £1; card or phone).  Drive into AP via the North entrance, beside the white lodge, then take the left turn immediately after the old security lodge building (marked "No pedestrian access").  Take a ticket at the barrier and park towards the diametrically opposite corner of the car park.

From the car park, we walk through the woods, along Hocker Lane then take footpaths across fields in the general direction of Birtles Hall, Fernhill and to the A34, crossing at the lights by Bollington Lodge; Bollington Lane to Mere Farm; Heawood Hall; take the bridge over the A34 and field tracks to Nether Alderley church and back via Church Lodge to Alderley Park.

The initial recce was in the reverse direction but I hope to do it this way round to soften some of the inclines.  The going was mostly firm although we cross several fields of very rough grass which were slightly harder work.  I hope to do a further recce to see if these will be easier coming downslope.  There were 6 stiles.

Anyone wanting a slightly longer walk can take an independent stroll on the plentiful, wide tracks through the woods at the end of the Ramble or consider walking over to the Churchill Tree pub, based in the old Tenants Hall on the other side of the AP site.  A fenced path leads over fields to the pub.