White Nancy circular walk is a 3.2 mile loop trail located near Bollington and Macclesfield, Cheshire.
The walk
We headed up the footpath from the top of Redway Lane but there are lots of different walking routes and footpaths you can follow. We followed the Gristone Trail footpath, but the climb is quite steep from the outset and there are lots of steep steps (we stopped counting past 50!). It’s definitely best if you have babies, to carry them in a baby carrier as this route is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Amazing views from the top
When you reach the top White Nancy is straight ahead of you and the views across Bollington, Macclesfield and Cheshire are incredible. White Nancy is a structure at the top of Kerridge Hill and was built in 1966 and it has been recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. Residents of Bollington enjoy having it as a famous landmark and it can be seen from the town.
It only took us 15 minutes to climb to the top and it’s very easy for smaller children to walk to the top, just make sure they are wearing good footwear though preferably trainers as the steps can get muddy and slippy.
Kerridge Hill
After we had taken lots of photos at the top of White Nancy we kept on walking across Kerridge Hill following the main footpath. This walk again is quite steep in parts but it is mainly grassy and well sign posted with a few gates to open along the way. We stopped when we reached the top of Kerridge Hill as the weather started to turn, and turned back round looping back past White Nancy again and back down through the forest.
Waulkmill Waterfall
Starting out on Sugar Lane and heading towards Bollington, the path leads through Hough Hole Farm, and skirts around a reservoir, to the site of Hough Hole Mill. Demolished in the 1940s this was a former cotton mill. If you keep walking you will see a weir connecting the reservoir and the River of Dean. You can also follow the path which descends into Waulkmill wood and if you keep following the river you will see the river level drops quite dramatically over another wier and rocky edge known as Waulkmill Waterfall. This is a really beautiful spot to take in the surrounding area.
Food and drink
Bollington has lots of great pubs and cafes all offering a wide selection of food and drinks. On our visit all the pubs were closed due to covid restrictions but we stopped at The Bulls Head pub for a takeaway hot chocolate and home baked cookies – a real treat after climbing all those steep steps!
Parking for White Nancy Walk
It’s best to park in Bollington, we parked on Redway Lane, next to The Bulls Head Pub, there is plenty of residential parking but please respect driveways and narrow lanes.
Well worth a visit
If you are looking for a walk that’s a bit different, this is the walk for you! You can chose to do the walk in half an hour or several hours – there are lots of footpaths, woods, and fields to explore and the views are stunning. It would also make a great place to have a picnic at the top of White Nancy! Well worth a visit and a walk if you’re close to Bollington or Macclesfield.
