See Events page for guided walks
'Heritage Trails' - all routes are circular and start and finish at the Bridgend Centre
Trail 1 - The 'Bee Happy' Trail, 4 mile introduction to Bollington taking in Middlewood Way and Canal
Trail 2 - 'Ribbon of History', 4 1/2 or 6 mile walk investigating sights, sounds and scents around Harrop Valley
Trail 3 - 'Written in Stone', 3 1/2 mile walk to Bollington's famous landmark White Nancy , exploring the theme of quarrying in Bollington
Trail 4 - 'Revolving in Time', 4 or 4 1/2 mile walk to Rainow looking at the mills and agriculture of the area
Trail 5 - 'Drifting through the Past', 7 1/2 or 8 1/2 mile walk via Bakestonedale explores mining for coal and fireclay
Trail 6 - 'As the Crow Flies', 5 1/2 mile walk to Higher Hurdsfield looking at changes in the environment
Trail 7 -' Travelling in Time' 5 1/2 miles walk to Adlington exploring the theme of transport
Trail 8 - 'Upstairs, Downstairs', 6 mile walk to Butley Town looking at aspects of social history
Each Heritage Trail Pack contains a map, directions, memories, quiz with answers and a furry keepsake for the end of the walk. Markers will guide you around the trail and don't forget to look for surprises along the way!
Eight, Circular Heritage Trails have been constructed, radiating out into the countryside in all directions from the Bridgend Centre. The last one was opened on 1st June 2008, completing the circuit. These last three Trails were funded by 'Your Heritage' Heritage Lottery Fund and Peak District National Park Sustainable Development Fund. The Trails bring to life times gone by. They encourage people of all ages to celebrate their heritage, explore and respect the countryside and improve health through exercise, while absorbing local history and reminiscences through the pamphlets and quizzes.
The walks have very diverse themes, designed to cover many aspects of local heritage. They complement each other in creating a comprehensive account of Bollington’s industrial, cultural and natural legacy. The themes of the first six are: Stone Quarrying, Wildflowers, Lives of Mill and Agricultural Workers, Coal/Clay Mining and Ecology through Time.
The 7th Trail, ‘Travelling in Time’, compares different modes of transport from Shanks’s Pony to air travel and the 8th Trail has an ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ theme; a comparison of lifestyles between the rich and poor in Victorian times.
The Trails range from 3 to 8 1/2 miles in length with differing degrees of strenuousness. Packs are available from the Centre at a cost of £2.00 per Trail.
Local primary schools and teachers have been involved in design and construction of the trails and both pamphlets and packs encourage the schools to walk the trails, increasing knowledge and enjoyment of heritage and environmental issues via cross-curricular activities. A photocopiable School Resource Pack, based on the Trails has been produced. This is aimed at Key Stage 2, contains resources, ideas for topic work and National Curriculum Links and is available from the Centre for £19.95, which includes a link to all resources online.
The Trails are also modified to be used as walks in the ‘Walking for Health’ programme.
Guided Walks are led from the Centre most Wednesdays. These range from easy walks of approx. 2 miles, moderate walks led by Macclesfield Rangers of approx. 3 miles to longer walks led by Bridgend Staff of approx. 5-6 miles. Each walk takes in point of interest relating to the history or flora and fauna of the area. Please ring 01625 576311 to obtain further details or see the Events page for details of the next walks.
