Days Out & Meals Out: New Year Walks

By Jenny, Days Out and Meals Out Reviews

There’s nothing better than getting outdoors after the festive season, shaking off the cobwebs with a refreshing New Year’s walk. Cheshire has so many beautiful spots to explore, and it’s the perfect way to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and enjoy time with family and friends.

Here are some of my favourites.

Lud’s Church and The Hanging Stone

An 8km walk best tackled in dry conditions. This striking corner of the Roaches blends the atmospheric, moss-covered chasm of Lud’s Church with the exposed gritstone of the Hanging Stone, offering sweeping views across the Cheshire Plain. Parking: Danebridge, Wincle, SK11 0QE.

Teggs Nose

A brilliant 4km walk with far-reaching views. From the visitor centre, head up past the old quarry and equipment display. At Teggs Nose summit, enjoy panoramic views across Macclesfield Forest before descending to the reservoir and dam. Continue across the stepping stones and return to the car park for a well-earned stop at The Nose Coffee. Parking: SK11 0AP, up to 3 hours £2.80.

The Whitegate Way

Once a rail link for Cheshire’s salt industry, this flat 10km trail from Winsford to Cuddington is perfect for cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users. Mid-way you’ll find the main access point with a large free car park, toilets and the Station House Café. Pram friendly. Parking: CW7 2QE.

Marbury Country Park

Stroll along the mere with views across to Great Budworth’s church, or explore the arboretum and community orchard. The excellent play area makes this perfect for families. Pram friendly. Parking: £1.50 for 3 hours.

Delamere Forest

Choose from a range of routes, including the climb to Old Pale Hill for a tougher walk or the Gruffalo Trail for younger walkers. The circuit around Blakemere Moss is ideal for new cyclists or scooter users due to its wide, flat paths. Visitor centre café and paid parking available. Free parking: Yeld Lane, CW6 0TB, and Gresty’s Waste, CW6 0SP.

Shakerley Mere, near Holmes Chapel

A gentle 1.5km loop around the mere through woodland, with picnic tables beneath birch and oak trees. At weekends, enjoy drinks and cake from Crumbs Coffee Company.

River Weaver Circular

A flat, well-maintained 7km riverbank walk in Northwich, suitable for pushchairs, bikes and scooters. The hard-surfaced path is popular with both walkers and runners. Parking: Free at Yarwood Close, CW8 1ET.

Biddulph Grange Country Park

Set beside the National Trust garden, this beautiful 73-acre park offers woodland, meadows, a lake, caves and waterfalls. Well-constructed paths offer several routes, and The Hideaway Café is open Sat–Sun 10–4pm, Mon–Tues 10–3pm. Parking: Free at ST8 7SB.

Lymm Dam

A short, 1.5km family-friendly circuit in a picturesque village setting. The walk is pushchair accessible and there is often a coffee van on the dam, with cafés nearby in Lymm village. Parking: WA13 0AP (free).

Styal Woods

Part of the Styal Estate linked to Quarry Bank Mill. From the Quarry Bank car park, follow the path to Styal Workers’ Village and continue through woodland along the River Bollin. The walk currently stops at Giants Castle Bridge due to closure. National Trust café available. Parking: Quarry Bank car park (free).

Shutlingsloe

A rewarding 5.5km there-and-back walk for families wanting a challenge. Follow wide forest paths before ascending the stone slab path up the 506-metre peak for impressive views and a summit trig point. Parking: Trentabank car park, SK11 0NS.

Astbury Mere Country Park

A former sand quarry offering a gentle 1.5km circular path around the lake. Ideal for scooters and bikes. GG’s Coffee Hub serves drinks, ice cream and cakes beside the car park (closed 22–26 & 31 Dec, 1 Jan). Pram friendly. Parking: CW12 4FP, 60p for up to 2 hours.

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve

An easy circular walk perfect for young cyclists and scooter users. A Christmas Elf Hunt runs until 4 January, starting near the visitor centre. Feed the ducks and visit The Little Cow Shed nearby. Pram friendly. Parking: CW12 4SU, 1–3 hours £2.80.

Lymm Railway Line (Altrincham to Lymm)

Part of the Transpennine Trail. A long, wide, well-surfaced route along an old railway line with no traffic, ideal for families. Multiple stopping points for food, including The Dunham Barn, Dunham Massey Ice Cream, The Rope & Anchor, and Dunham Apple Barn. Parking: Transpennine Trail car park, WA14 5RF.

Westport Lake

A flat 1-mile circular walk suitable for all ages, with a playground and a café overlooking the water. Parking: ST6 4RZ, 3 hours £1.50.

The Wizard Walk, Alderley Edge

A network of routes offering something new on each visit. Options include the Miners Ramble to an old mine, the Donkey Trek into the valley, and the Wizard Wonder leading to the iconic viewpoint over the Cheshire Plain. There is also a wooden assault course for children and a well-loved tearoom. Parking: SK10 4UB (free for National Trust members).

Chester Walls

Walk the full 2.9km circuit of Britain’s oldest, longest and most complete city walls for outstanding views and a glimpse into 2,000 years of history. A playground and green space lie just below the Water Tower. Plenty of cafés are accessible from the walls. Parking: Watergate Street Car Park, CH1 4JH.

Rudyard Lake

A 7.5km circular walk around Rudyard Lake with features including a boathouse, a railway line and an old castle-style building. A pushchair-friendly 5km option follows the railway side of the lake. Parking: Visitor Centre, ST13 8XB (4 hours £2, all day £3) or free at the North Car Park and the station.

White Nancy

A scenic circular trail taking you up Kerridge Ridge to White Nancy, commemorating the Battle of Waterloo. The ridge offers wonderful Cheshire views, a trig point further along, and a pretty riverside waterfall on the descent. Parking: Lord Street, Bollington, SK10 5BN.

The Cloud, Congleton

A short but rewarding climb from Timbersbrook Car Park, including 136 steps and further ascent up Bosley Hill. Stunning views from the summit and a trig point reward little legs. Parking: Timberbrook picnic area, CW12 3PP.

Millennium Walkway, New Mills

A dramatic 160m walkway suspended above the gorge where the river meets a large weir, connecting New Mills, The Torrs and Riverside Park. Other routes include Sett Valley Trail and The Torrs. High Lea Park offers a great play area, and the town has plenty of cafés and pubs for lunch. Parking: Torr Top Street car park, SK22 4BS.

Tittesworth Water

An 8km circular reservoir walk with woodland, steps, dam-side sections and a large playground. A lovely café is located at the visitor area. Parking: ST13 8SW, £5.50 for 2–4 hours.

Salt Line and Borrow Pit Meadows

A 3km disused railway line forming a flat, well-surfaced trail suitable for scooters, bikes and pushchairs. Picnic tables are dotted along the route. Parking: Sandbach, CW11 4YB.

Dunham Massey (National Trust)

Enjoy the wide parkland and the seasonal “Winter Walk with Speechly the Pineapple” trail, running until 8 March and perfect for younger families. Parking: Free for National Trust members.

Tatton Park (National Trust)

Park in Knutsford and walk in, or drive into Tatton to explore the sweeping parkland and gardens. Parking: £8, with 10% off for prebooking.

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