A Harry Styles walking route has been created for fans making the pilgrimage to the superstar's home village in Cheshire. The trail in Holmes Chapel, featuring landmarks connected to the singer, was recently drawn up by the Holmes Chapel Partnership.
It follows concerns that were raised about the growing number of fans walking along a dangerous road to access what's known as 'Harry's Wall' at the Twemlow Viaduct - believed to be the site of his first kiss. It is covered with messages written by fans who have journeyed there from across the world, CheshireLive reports.
Publishing the route in its March newsletter, Holmes Chapel Partnership said: "Now that Harry Styles is a global star there are even more fans making the pilgrimage to Holmes Chapel to see the sights of his teenage years.
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"One of the attractions is Harry’s Wall at the Twemlow Viaduct where allegedly Harry had his first kiss! The fans come from all over the world as you will see if you have ever stopped to read the messages there.
"These fans risk life and limb walking down the A535 on a narrow overgrown footpath to cross the road and climb over a stile with a steep drop on the other side.
"Holmes Chapel Partnership as part of their Safe Walking Routes campaign has produced a map to guide fans more safely to their destination."
The concerns for the legions of fans visiting the village were first raised by Dane Valley representative Cllr Andrew Kolker during a meeting of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee in September.
He said: “In Holmes Chapel we have a lot of teenagers, both girls and boys, coming to see the sights and sounds of Harry Styles, which is absolutely no problem. It’s lovely to see them in Holmes Chapel,” he said.
“However, we do have two sites that are a common site of pilgrimage for these kids and that is the viaduct [which] has Harry’s name scrawled all over it apparently from when he was a young youth – and that site’s a popular site for teenagers, as is the site of Harry’s first kiss.”
He went on to say: “This is fine except that the A535 is an extremely busy road and it’s a very, very dangerous road to walk along… It’s an extremely dangerous road with very, very limited parking and footpaths."
The partnership's new trail is takes fans from the train station to four landmarks around Holmes Chapel. In order they are Hermitage Bridge, Twemlow Viaduct, Harry's old employer Mandeville's bakery and his favourite restaurant Fortune City, before it ends back at the station.
Harry's Home Village walking route
- Hermitage Bridge - Start at Holmes Chapel train station. Car parking is available. Turn right onto Station Road then take the first right turn into Sandiford Road. At the end of this road, cross Macclesfield Road at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight on through Picton Square. Turn right into Rees Crescent then left onto Hermitage Lane.
- Twemlow Viaduct - follow Hermitage Lane through the gate onto the country lane then turn right after crossing the Hermitage Bridge into the field. The path can be muddy. Follow the public footpath alongside the River Dane towards the viaduct. Cross the stream via the footbridge and continue to the viaduct.
- Mandeville's Bakery - After visiting Harry's Wall, retrace your route until you get to Macclesfield Road. Turn right after using the pedestrian crossing at the end of Picton Square. Mandeville's Bakery is on this road on your left. Use the footpath at the right of Mandeville's to turn left into The Square and walk round the back of St Lukes Church. Cross at the pedestrian crossing if you would like to visit the many options for shopping and refreshments in the village.
- Fortune City Chinese restaurant - Continue south on the A50 past the precinct and library on your left towards the traffic lights. Cross carefully at the crossroads junction where the A50 and A54 meet. Fortune City Chinese restaurant is on your right. Take the footpath opposite the restaurant and to the right of the car garage into Bromley Drive. At the end of this road, cross over Station Road and head right towards the train station which will be on your left.
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