South perimeter walk at Lyme

Cheshire & Greater Manchester

Deer in front of The Cage at Lyme Park, House and Garden — Deer in front of The Cage at Lyme, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

A varied walk that takes you to the highest point of Lyme. On a clear day you'll be rewarded with views of seven counties.

Near to

Lyme

Start point

Car park at Lyme. Grid ref: SJ 96263 82337

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 7 (km: 11.2)

Duration3 hours to 4 hours

Dog friendly***

*Lanes, tracks and paths, can be muddy in wet weather. For more details, please see Terrain section
**Uneven terrain on tracks and footpaths, with stiles to climb. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Lyme car park, Lyme, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
Lyme is at the Northern end of the 35-mile (57km) Gritstone Trail (not National Trust).
Follow the Grittstone Trail
By bus
The 199 bus service stops on the A6 and runs from Manchester Airport to Buxton. If travelling by bus please check the TFGM website for up to date bus times.
By road
Entrance to Lyme's park is off the A6 only. Parking one mile down the drive.
Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Car park at Lyme. Grid ref: SJ 96263 82337
Stage 1
From the information centre in the car park walk up the steps to the front of the Hall and take the tarmac road which rises to your left.
Stage 2
Continue along the road which passes Kennel Wood, a conservation area. The tarmac road becomes a rough track. Leave the park at East Lodge.
Stage 3
After a few hundred yards cross Bollinhurst Bridge and take the next footpath on the right leading to Drakes Carr. Cross the stone stile and go through the kissing gate, then follow the path diagonally across the field to the main road. Turn right to face oncoming traffic. Do not cross the road.
Stage 4
Take the next right-hand fork opposite the Moorside hotel and walk up Bowstones Road. You will reach a stile on the right signposted to Dissop Head Farm. Follow this path up the hill and over a stone stile back into the park.
Stage 5
Bear left and walk alongside the wall until you reach a stone viewing point.
Stage 6
Continue along the wall to Bowstone Gate and leave the park via the ladder stile and a second stile.
Stage 7
Follow the track to your right and cross two stiles before heading up to Sponds Hill.
Stage 8
Return along the track and turn left at the boundary wall. The path follows the wall until the crest of the next hill where it veers to the left towards some disused coal pits. Turn right and follow the path down the hill to the track and then turn right past Keeper's Cottage. After a short distance you'll see a stone stile and a sign to higher Poynton on your left. Go down this path until it again follows the boundary wall.
Stage 9
The path becomes a track at the farm gate. Follow the track downhill to the Methodist chapel and turn right. Turn right again immediately towards West Park Gate. Do not enter the park here.
Stage 10
Ignoring West Drive, walk up the hill until the track veers left. Cross the stile next to the gate to go straight ahead into a field called Hase Bank.
Stage 11
Pass through the gate and follow the track as it bears right.
Stage 12
Join the tarmac road which leads over the cattle grid to the car park.
End point
Car park at Lyme. Grid ref: SJ 96263 82337
Trail map
Oak leaves in September in Florence Court garden, Co Fermanagh | © National Trust Images / John Millar
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