The best walks in and around Stockport

As the summer months approach, the evenings grow lighter and the sun begins to make a welcome return, it’s the perfect time to make the most of Stockport’s idyllic country lanes, glistening reservoirs and breathtaking views.  

 

 

Marple Aqueduct 

A true Stockport staple, the Marple Aqueduct winds through this quaint village, transporting visitors back to the Victorian era with its traditional sandstone walls, elegant bay windows, and a distinctive charm that’s increasingly hard to find.  

Start at Memorial Park in Marple and follow the path down to the canal. From there, stroll alongside the peaceful water, passing all sixteen locks before reaching the aqueduct that spans the River Goyt. 

The tallest masonry arched aqueduct in Britain it provides a scenic view of the luscious forest below. It was commonly visited by Agatha Christie, when seeing her family who lived in Marple, inspiring the name of her character, Miss Marple.  

Along the route, visitors can watch canal boats drift by and may even have the chance to see the locks in action. There are also a series of pubs and restaurants along the way to stop off for a refreshing pint and some heartwarming grub.  

 

Happy Valley Nature Reserve 

Happy Valley Nature Reserve is home to the renowned Bramall Hall, a Tudor manor house set within 60 acres of rolling grassland, showcasing an impressive collection of 16th-century artwork. This walk can include a visit to Bramall Hall where visitors can admire the striking Elizabethan features and Victorian kitchens that sit inside the classic black and white timber-framed building.  

Just outside of the house is the Happy Valley Loop, a seven-mile walk that takes ramblers on a scenic journey through the classic English countryside down to Cheadle. This walk includes a peaceful forest landscape where you can admire woodland wildlife, from squirrels and deer to robins and blue tits. Along the way, you’ll pass a number of lively ponds, with plenty of opportunities to spot tadpoles at this time of year. It’s mostly flat, so the circular route is ideal for anyone looking for a gentle, relaxing stroll without too much effort. 

 

Lyme Park 

Famously featured in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, among many other television appearances, Lyme House truly stands as an architectural masterpiece. This building features a strong Elizabethan core, with later Baroque and Palladian transformations added in 1720 by the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni. Like Bramall Hall, visitors can enter the building and explore its maze of unique architecture and ornate artwork that lines the halls. 

The house is surrounded by vibrant floral displays, carefully maintained by expert gardeners. The huge area is segmented into four sections: an Italian garden, an Edwardian rose garden, a Wyatt garden, and a wooded ravine, with different flowers blossoming all year round through the different seasons. From ornamental cherry blossoms, yellow daffodils, rhododendrons, and azaleas in the spring to winter iris, witch hazel, and daphne in the colder months.  

There are many different routes and paths to follow, most of which pass the herd of 500 elegant deer that graze in the fields of the house.  

 

Etherow Country Park  

Another firm favourite, Etherow Country Park offers far more than just a scenic walk, with a wide range of activities to enjoy along the way. At its heart lies a large lake, where you can spend the day sailing, take to the shoreline with model boats or pause with binoculars in hand for some peaceful birdwatching.  

Home to over 100 species of birds, it’s an ideal spot for wildlife enthusiasts and keen bird spotters alike. Beyond the water, the park’s woodland trails and open green spaces provide plenty of opportunities to unwind, explore, and take in the natural surroundings at a relaxed pace.