Holmes Chapel and Twemlow Viaduct Walk
5.5 miles (8.8 km)This Cheshire based village has some nice riverside trails and a local country park to visit.
This walk takes you along the Dane Valley Way to the historic Twemlow Viaduct, the Swettenham Meadows Nature Reserve and the Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve.
The walk starts on the river to the north of the village. Here you can pick up the waymarked footpath and follow it east, passing Hermitage Bridge, the Grade II listed Twemlow Viaduct, Bowshot Wood and Greenhey Wood before coming to the village of Swettenham.... Near here you'll pass the Swettenham Meadows Nature Reserve on the Swettenham Brook. It's an important site for flora and fauna with Common spotted orchid and marsh orchid thriving in the wet flushes of the variable grassland. In the warmer months it's also great for butterflies with species including small skipper, common blue, small copper and orange tip butterflies.
You then head south, passing Davenport Hall before arriving at Brereton Heath. The nature reserve is a lovely place for a stroll with woodland trails, a lake and lots of wildlife to look out for. After exploring the reserve the route returns to the village on the same paths.
Please scroll down for the full list of walks near and around Holmes Chapel. The detailed maps below also show a range of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths in the area.
Pubs and More Info
In the village the George & Dragon is a good choice for post refreshment. They serve high quality food from the conservatory restaurant, while outside there's a lovely terrace garden for warmer days. You can find them on Middlewich Road at postcode CW4 7EA.
On the route you could stop off in Swettenham and visit the noteworthy Swettenham Arms. The 16th century country inn includes a lovely Lavender garden where you can enjoy fine food on a summer day. You can find them at postcode CW12 2LF for your sat navs.
To the north of the village you'll find one of the highlights of the area at the Jodrell Bank Arboretum. You can learn all about the famous telescope in the discovery centre and enjoy a stroll around the pretty 35 acre arboretum.
Head south east into nearby Congleton and there's some lovely waterside walks to be found at Astbury Mere Country Park and the Macclesfield Canal.
If you head west along the Dane Valley Way it will take you to Sproston Green and Middlewich where you can pick up the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cheshire Walks page.
Ordnance Survey Map
OpenStreetMap
OS Map (Mobile GPS)
OpenStreetMap (Mobile GPS)
Interactive Map
Route Video
Nearby Routes
Jodrell Bank Arboretum Astbury Mere Country Park Macclesfield Canal Congleton Redesmere Trent and Mersey Canal Middlewich Lower Peover Shakerley Mere
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