A drive away from Manchester in the depths of the Cheshire countryside lies a vantage point that truly lives up to its name. The Cloud, in Congleton, is a 300m-high peak that boasts 'stunning, panoramic views' for walkers.
It is also said that the unique position of the viewpoint allows visitors to witness a double sunset - a rare astro-geographical phenomenon in which the sun appears to set twice in the same evening - with the occurrence first recorded in writing in 1686 by Robert Plot in his book The Natural History Of Stafford-shire. The landscape is also very rare because like Cheshire's Bickerton, which is also blanketed in purple heather, it is one of few remaining lowland heaths in the region.
Since 1800, 84 per cent of Britain’s lowland heath has been lost. And the Cloud's significance has meant that it has been designated as a conservation area of Special Biological Interest.
READ MORE: Quarry Bank: The beauty spot by Manchester Airport with acres of woodland walks
To make your way to the top of The National Trust beauty spot, you can embark on a circular 4km route, which is relatively manageable for novices - however the terrain can be rocky in places. You will pass through peaceful woodland before reaching the summit, also known as Bosley Cloud, where you can then see across the whole of the Cheshire Plain and along the gritstone ridge of the Peak District.
As it is quite a short walk, with one reviewer saying it took them 40 minutes, the route can make for a good activity after work on a summer's evening. One visitor says you can even spot Jodrell Bank Observatory while another Google reviewer simply describes The Cloud as a "great little walk with incredible views".
There is a toposcope which guides the visitor's eye towards the chimneys and furnaces of south Lancashire, to the fertile plains of Crewe and Nantwich in the west, the Potteries in the south and finally eastwards, up the Dane Valley to the main range of the Pennines.
The early 19th century saw extensive quarrying on the site, with the stone being used for nearby canal construction, railway bridge construction and millstones. An ancient stone boundary marker still marks the county boundary between Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Another Google reviewer - SelectedGenetics IG - said: "The reason I visited this peak is because it's one of the 33 key points constituting an ancient trail named the Belinus Line or The spine of Albion, starting from Isle of Wight, all the way to Inverhope, Scotland.
"It's one of the rare places on Earth where, at certain times, you can witness a double sunset, and the landscape is spectacular, green, British Grass, superb colours. From the main road's carpark it's about a 40-minute walk to the top of the Cloud, following Gritstone trail (56km footpath along Peak District).
"The path is very well presented... the locals are very friendly people, and it's supposed to be great for mountain biking, too. It's a great place to visit, accessible & very refreshing, part of the Great British Heritage". It's important to note that witnessing a double sunset is not guaranteed, however it has been reported by many visitors in the past.
To visit The Cloud, you can access the free car park at Timbersbrook picnic site, CW12 3PP. Have you visited? Let us know in the comments.
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