With the weather becoming colder and the whiff of Christmas festivities in the air, winter is definitely round the corner. It may feel like autumn is nearly over, but it’s not too late to enjoy the colourful displays trees put on at this time of year.
One of the best ways to enjoy the autumn foliage is with a walk through the woods. Heading into a forest can be like stepping into a different world, and when the trees are shedding their leaves it can be even more atmospheric.
You don’t have to travel far from Greater Manchester to find a magical forest walk and one which is definitely worth checking out is Macclesfield Forest, around an hour’s drive away. Located three miles south of Macclesfield, it straddles the edge of the Peak District National Park.
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It contains two reservoirs, Trentabank and Ridgegate, and the area around the former is a nature reserve managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, featuring Cheshire's largest heronry. The forest is also home to a small herd of Red Deer, which you may spot roaming among the trees.
The woodland you see today is actually the remnants of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, which was a vast ancient hunting reserve. With towering pine trees and twisting branches of broadleaf trees, when you enter the forest it feels like you’ve stepped back in time.
There are several walking routes you can take through the forest, varying from a half mile route in the nature reserve, to a more challenging 5.6 mile route. For a manageable route which offers you breathtaking views, head to Nessit Hill, where on a clear day you can see as far as Manchester.
You can follow a three mile circular route from Ridgegate Reservoir, which will take you through the woodland and up Nessit Hill. It’s a steep climb to the top but it’s worth the effort and at the top are several benches where you can sit back and soak up the views.
After exploring the forest, head back to Ridgegate Reservoir where you can enjoy a hearty pub meal at the Leather’s Smithy, a cosy, stone-built inn. The pub dates from the 18th century and is named after William Leather, a local farrier who in 1821 obtained the first licence to sell ale and port.
Inside you’ll find a traditional interior with gorgeous views out onto the Ridgegate Reservoir. The Leather’s Smithy uses locally sourced ingredients and offers a range of seasonal daily specials as well as pub classics - perfect for enjoying after a bracing walk.
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