Abney Hall Park from the River Mersey

Wednesday 10th July 2013 

A short afternoon walk along the River Mersey to reach Abney Hall Park on the edge of Cheadle 

Distance: 8.5km; Ascent: 70km; Warm and dry; Solo

See tracked route in new window

As I had a couple of hours free this afternoon I decided to head out for a walk along the Mersey to East Didsbury, which would allow me to investigate Abney Hall Park on my return.  I wandered through the terraced streets of Edgeley and across a footbridge to reach the Trans Pennine Trail along the north bank.

Looking downstream from Gorsey Bank Footbridge

It was pleasantly warm as I walked westwards alongside the river, but I was glad that it was a few degrees cooler than of late!  There were plenty of wild flowers around and I soon came to the remains of the bridges that carried a railway line from Stockport to Didsbury and onwards into Manchester city centre, which may one-day be rebuilt to extend the Metrolink tram line from its new terminus at East Didsbury.

Heading west along the Trans Pennine Trail

Remains of an old railway bridge over the Mersey

I continued downsteam past a rugby club and playing fields to reach Cheadle bridge, where I turned left along the busy B5095.

Looking downstream towards Didsbury

Looking upstream from Cheadle Bridge

After a few hundred metres I crossed the motorway and turned left into Abney Hall Park.  Following the main driveway I soon reached the impressive Abney Hall, which dates from 1847 and according to the park's website was visited a number of times by Agatha Christie.

Abney Hall

Abney Hall Park

After leaving the park I picked a route back home by way of footpaths and side streets.  I also came across a large flight of steps on a supposed cycle route, which seemed to render the cycle route a little pointless!

An unexpected find on a path that's signposted as a cycle route!

Soon I reached Alexandra Park and Sykes Reservoir, where the geese seemed to have decided to cluster in just one section of the water, before returning to the car and home after a pleasant hour and a half walk.

Sykes Reservoir