Cheshire & Greater Manchester

Field to Fork Walking Trail

Walkers on the Field to Fork Trail, Tatton Park, Cheshire | © Tatton Park

This circular trail is approximately three miles and will take around one to one and a half hours. Whilst walking this trail you’ll discover how the parkland has been (and still is) an important food source and learn why it’s a valuable landscape and ecosystem for a sustainable future.

Near to

Tatton Park

Start point

Starting from outside the front of the Mansion

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Total stages: 12
Total stages: 12
Start point
Starting from outside the front of the Mansion
Stage 1
A board near the front of the mansion will direct you to point one of the trail.
Stage 2
Walk towards Rostherne Drive through the trees and cross over safely. Then walk straight on to the standing stone memorial. You are likely to see Tatton’s famous Red and Fallow deer here – please keep a safe distance of 50m.
Hebridean and Soay sheep
Lord Egerton was a farming enthusiast and bought the Hebridean flock in 1887; it is one of the oldest surviving flocks in the UK. The Soay flock were introduced much later during the 1930’s. Hebrideans are a hardy multi-horned breed of livestock which became a fashionable accessory for land owners and a feature of aristocratic parks. The meat produced from Tatton’s flocks is sold in the Housekeeper’s store today.
Stage 3
Follow the obvious grass path to the right and keep the fence on your left all the way.
Stage 4
Aside from direct bulk consumption of plants such as root crops, which were foraged for prior to cultivation, wildflowers were used as flavourings such as Wood Sorrel.
Stage 5
Follow the path to the right, past the woodland, and turn left once you reach the main track.
Red deer at Tatton Park, Cheshire | © Tatton Park/Craig Bailey
Stage 6
Return to the track and follow straight to the Old Hall.
Stage 7
Follow the track past the car park and head to Tatton Mere.
Stage 8
This is a good place to view the full length of the one mile long mere. Continue downhill, passing the road on your right, to the T-junction at the bottom. Head right towards the Allen Bird Hide overlooking the beautiful Melchett Mere.
The Meres
Pike and perch taken from Tatton Mere were highly prized and considered a delicacy. These fish are descendants of those that originally populated Tatton Mere centuries ago. These fish contribute to nutrient cycling within the mere. Their feeding habits help to redistribute nutrients throughout the water column and sediment, supporting the growth of aquatic plants and other organisms.
Stage 9
Facing the Mansion to your right, follow the grass track with the mere to your left.
Stage 10
Head through the left gate and follow the track towards Beech Avenue. Enjoy spectacular views across the park and look out for the hidden ‘Ice House’ at waymark 10.
Stage 11
Head to the Gateway in the fence downhill. The Choragic monument in Tatton’s gardens can be seen on your left as well as beautiful views of the mansion.
The Ice House
The Ice House in the clump of trees behind this board was built in 1856. The site was chosen in the shade to help keep temperatures low. The ice from the pond in front of the mansion was taken to the Ice House by horse and cart. It was packed in layers with straw for use in the kitchens and for the storage of food. Ice stored in this way could last a full twelve months. The Ice House is now closed to the public for safety but can still be viewed from the stairs.
Stage 12
Walk up the hill towards the drive with the mansion on your left and you’ll have completed the Field to Fork trail.
Plants and animals
The meres and Dog Wood are dedicated SSSI and RAMSAR (an intergovernmental convention for the conservation of wetlands) sites. They are recognised as nationally important habitats, providing nest sites and winter refuge for large numbers of water birds as well as an abundance of wildflowers and plant life. In spring and summer, swallows and martins hunt insects over the water and ospreys have been recorded passing through.
End point
Back to the Mansion
Trail map
Map of the Field to Fork trail, Tatton Park, Cheshire | © Simon Roulstone
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Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN

01625374435

tatton@cheshireeast.gov.uk

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Near to

Start point

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Trail information

Difficulty

Accessibility*

Full trail

Getting here

Facilities

Trail route

Total stages: 12

Total stages: 12

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Point of interest

Stage 5

Point of interest

Stage 6

Point of interest

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Point of interest

Stage 9

Point of interest

Stage 10

Point of interest

Stage 11

Point of interest

Stage 12

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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