Lime Avenue Ponds Walk

Lime Avenue Ponds Walk is a 2-mile loop from Lyme’s main car park, taking about an hour. It links Drinkwater Meadow, Knightslow Wood and open moor before reaching the ponds and tree-lined avenue. It’s a good compact choice if you want a mix of estate scenery without committing to a long hill walk.

The route starts on tarmac around the car park, then follows a stony track beside Drinkwater Meadow and into Knightslow Wood. Look left through the trees for Lyme Hall’s south front with the Cage behind it. After a short moorland stretch, the path drops through woodland to Calves Croft and opens onto Lime Avenue. Look down the avenue toward the house; the ponds are on your left as you descend. They were restored in 2017 after silt had nearly hidden them. At the bottom, skirt the garden to Hampers Bridge, cross into Turfhouse Meadow and return past the old stable block and house.

Allow about an hour. Expect tarmac, stony tracks and narrower footpaths, including a moderately steep, rooty section; footing is uneven in places. Start in Lyme’s main car park, reached via the A6 estate entrance (SK12 2NX); Lyme’s visitor access arrangements apply. The Kiosk beside the car park has takeaway drinks and snacks for before or after. Dogs are welcome, but must be on lead in some areas because of sensitive habitat and grazing cattle; keep to the footpaths.