What to do in Macclesfield?

jess1974

ellay864 wrote: »

Tatton Park (NT) is close by, and some nice restaurants in Knutsford
Or an evening meal in Wilmslow or Alderley Edge and play spot the WAG - all the Man Utd players live round that way!
Lots of nice walking in the hills or the Middlewood Way is a bit more sedate along the canal

I was also going to suggest these locations but would also add Prestbury to play spot the wag:)

ljonski

A friend of mine actually B&B in M. His usual routine is walking on the local canals so i assume there is one or two in the vicinity.

Miró

Ooooh thanks you lot! Just knew you would come up trumps!! Some great ideas there....:T

More ideas/suggestions still welcome....:)

artichoke

well another spectacular drive is from outside the Speedwell caverns in castleton over winnats pass to Edale - very twisty windy and steep...(or you can walk over the footpaths if you are energetic)

in Edale you can walk from the beginning of the Pennine way which begins at the back of the village behind the pub (not the first pub you come to when entering the village but the second pub which is in the heart of the village ..

I see you are arriving on a sunday - well Bakewell Agricultural Market is every monday - an old fashioned agricultural market selling sheep, cows, etc plus the towns open air market is on mondays as well..

there is so much to do and see in the Peaks, i live and farm here and still have not seen / done it all.

art

paulsad

Nice Mexican restaurant in Mac. El Rio I think - been a while since I went.

purple45

Buxton...don't get me started on my favourite subject...oh go on then...
If I was to have a day trip out starting from Macclesfield I'd enjoy a leisurely drive over the Cat and Fiddle road to Buxton. I'd park in Buxton town and take a stroll around the park admiring the lovely pavilion gardens and walking through the indoor greenhouse part to come out near the opera house. (Check out Buxton Opera House, its beautiful)! I'd also make sure to have a look at The Crescent which is an amazing building. I'd probably go to Project X for an expensive but tasty lunch, its tucked away down a side street but all the locals will be able to direct you.
After lunch I'd head off on the A6 towards Matlock Bath. Turn at Ashford in the Water and follow signs for Monsal Head. Pull up in the car park or if you're a true money saver turn right opposite the car park and park for free down the road! Head to the viewing point for ice cream and maybe a stroll down Monsal Dale. If you like bigger walks, walk from Monsal Head down the lovely path to Ashford in the Water, where you cross the A6 and take a lovely path through the woods back towards Buxton, crossing the A6 again to walk back up Monsal Dale with fantastic views of the viaduct.
The onward drive to Matlock Bath is lovely in lots of ways although some bits are a bit built up. Bakewell is quite a sweet historic little town to stop and potter round. But if you make it to Matlock Bath its quite an amazing place. It has a Blackpool feel to it in a way. Its like a landlocked seaside town. On a fine day there will be lots of bikers there and its good to check out bikes and people watch. Instead of the seaside you have the River Derwent running through, with river walk and little park. There are amusements, ice creams and chippys and an aquarium! There is the Heights of Abraham where you can get the cable car up to the top and tour the caves. Also Gullivers World which I think is a theme park for younger kids but not sure on that one.
I would then enjoy the drive back along the A6 (watching out for speed cameras)! to Buxton where I'd be spoiled for choice eating out. For Indian Food there is the Taj Mahal on the market place, or Indian Palace near to the Palace Hotel...both good although its been a while!
Can't really recommend anywhere else as on the rare occasions I eat out it would always be Indian!

Having said all of that, Castleton is lovely to potter round and the drive down Winnets Pass is beautiful. Good to have a look at Mam Tor and the old road below it. The walk along Mam Tor ridge is fantastic with views of Castleton and Hope valley on one side and Edale valley and over towards Kinder Scout the other way. Hathersage...well a drive up the hill and a walk around Hathersage Moor is lovely with great rock formations, but quite a distance from Macclesfield and maybe not so very different from some of the things you can see nearer.

I'm not really much help on the Macclesfield front as I moved away from there about 10 years ago now. But if there is anything else you'd like to know about Buxton or over the Peak District direction just send me a message!

purple45

Oh just thought of another...Goyt Valley. If you fancy keeping it a bit closer to the hotel so you're spending more time outdoors and less time in the car, Goyt Valley is an amazing place to have a walk. Its between Macc and Buxton. Plenty of places to park and well sign posted walks. The walk around Fernilee Reservoir is lovely, but also good to walk up to the ruins of Erwood Hall in the woods there.

inmypocketnottheirs

paulsad wrote: »

Nice Mexican restaurant in Mac. El Rio I think - been a while since I went.

Yes it's excellent. A few steps back from the high street down a path.

pegginout

http://www.cheshirepeakdistrict.com/food-and-drink/the-swettenham-arms-p48841................. amazing food here!

http://www.cheshirepeakdistrict.com/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries/silk-museum-paradise-mill-p27671........bit of history

http://www.cheshirepeakdistrict.com/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries/jodrell-bank-discovery-centre-p27731.............v interesting, even if its just to see how big the dish is!

http://www.cheshirepeakdistrict.com/historic-macclesfield.........bit of history!

or just listen to the macc Lads..............but only if you're over 18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macc_Lads

purple45

Just thought of another one...if you fancy a spectacular bike ride, just out of Buxton on the A6 at Wyedale is a cycle hire place on the left hand side opposite the quarry. Hire bikes and head off down the Monsal trail to Monsal Head and then you can go as far as Bakewell. Its just been reopened quite recently as the tunnels were blocked. The views are amazing and a great way to see the places if you have the energy!