Paddock Cottage Walk

Paddock Cottage Walk is a circuit from the Information Centre in Lyme’s main car park through Drinkwater Meadow and Knightslow Wood to Paddock Cottage, returning along the ridge through Pursefield Wood. The full line from the Information Centre and back measures about 2.05 miles; allow about an hour. The 17th-century, Grade II listed cottage began as a belvedere or banqueting house. Its open outlook takes in the Cheshire Plain, with Alderley Edge to the left and Stockport and Manchester to the right.

From the Information Centre, follow tarmac around the car park, then a stony track beside the meadow to Knightslow Wood. After a gate, turn through tall beech trees to a ladder stile and stream, then descend steps onto a narrow path above the steep drop toward Cluse Hey. The path bends up through a gate to the cottage. For the return, follow the ridge through Pursefield Wood, keep right at the fork before a small gate, descend through two gates, then follow the track beside a wall and stream before turning onto the road back.

Start at the Information Centre in Lyme’s main car park, SK12 2NX; admission to the estate is required. Dogs are welcome on a short lead. The stile, stream, steps and exposed narrow path make this an uneven walk, not a step-free route. The Timber Yard café and accessible toilets are elsewhere at Lyme, not on the circuit.