Cheshire & Greater Manchester

A walk through the Southern Woods at Quarry Bank

The River Bollin in Southern Woods at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire | © Derek Hatton

The Southern Woods provide a great opportunity to explore the wider estate at Quarry Bank and to watch the river twist and turn and make its way to the mill. There are also some hidden gems... take a look at the mill pond and weir. It is a perfect walk for all the family and don't forget to bring your canine friend.

Near to

Quarry Bank

Start point

Quarry Bank Mill Yard, SK9 4HP

what3words

///played.reduce.shiny

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Short trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 45 mins

Dog friendly**

*Paths with some slopes to navigate. For more information visit the section marked Terrain.
**Dogs on leads are welcome. For further details visit the section marked Facilities.

Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Quarry Bank Mill Yard, SK9 4HP
Stage 1
Starting at Visitor Reception walk down the mill drive to the Mill Yard.
Stage 2
Leaving the Mill Yard take the path at the side of the building with the large double doors and go through the gate. Passing the playground on your right follow the path and you will reach the Mill Pond on your right.
Stage 3
Keep on heading straight and you will pass over Heron's Pool Bridge.
Stage 4
Continue straight, as you walk along the path you will reach a large granite boulder.
Stage 5
From the 'Erratic' Stone continue straight on through the gate in to the meadow. Evening walks may allow you to see bats crossing the meadow. Follow the path until you reach a fork.
Stage 6
Take the path on the left and follow it round continuing up the hill through the meadow.
Stage 7
As you reach the top of the hill you will come to a gate. pass through this and continue along the cobbled Apprentice path. Continue along the path crossing over a boardwalk into a field.
Stage 8
Looking across the field on your right you will see a large house. This was once used as the transmitter and control station for Manchester Airport during the Second World War.
Stage 9
Across the fields to the left is a stone obelisk, which is due south from an observatory that once stood in Quarry Bank garden. It allowed the mill owner to use the sun to set his clocks.
Stage 10
Continue along the path passing through a gate into a field. Passing through a final gate you arrive at the corner of a small square reservoir pond.
Stage 11
Continuing straight along this path, with the reservoir pond on your left, you arrive in the car park. Follow this path around the car park and you will arrive back at Visitor Reception. Alternatively, turn left at the corner of the reservoir pond and take the steps back down to the Mill Yard to grab a bite to eat, have a cup of tea and rest your feet!
End point
Quarry Bank Mill Yard, SK9 4HP.
Trail map
Quarry Bank Southern Woods Walk Map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Heron sat on a tree branch in Southern Woods at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire

Trail

Kingfisher walk at Quarry Bank

Discover the wider estate at Quarry Bank and see the Apprentice House, Styal Village and the Northern Woods on this circular walk, with lush fields and woodland areas with huge redwoods, rare rhododendrons and folly bridges.

Two women running along a path in the woodland

Trail

Running routes at Dunham Massey

If you've got some energy to burn, keep your fitness up with these 1km, 2km and 3km routes around Dunham Massey's historic deer park.

Visitors on the Lantern walk at Lyme Park, Cheshire with trees and a tower in the background

Trail

A walk to the Lantern at Lyme

Beautiful woodland and wonderful views await you on this self-led walk to Lantern Wood. On a clear day look out for Kinder Scout, the hills of Derbyshire and Yorkshire, Holme Moss and Winter Hill.