Alderley Edge’s National Trust Treasures

As well as being a thriving place full of fantastic businesses and a supportive community, Alderley Edge is blessed with beautiful countryside and rich history. There are three National Trust places on the doorstep of this wonderful village, making it the perfect place for a day trip.

Hare Hill

The magnificent Alderley Edge National Trust estate Hare Hill is just 3 miles from the village. Originally a privately owned country house and grounds, the gardens are now cared for by the National Trust and are open to the public at certain times of the year.

Hare Hill dates back to the 18th century where William Hibbert created his country estate. Francis Dicken Brocklehurst then purchased the property and land, extended the house, and created a wooded garden and a traditional Victorian walled garden.

Brocklehurst’s son, Charles, inherited Hare Hill and began restoring the gardens but sadly died before work was finished.

When the National Trust took over, they wanted to honour Charles’ plans and restore the gardens as he had envisaged.

Hare Hill is a beautiful place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The tranquil walled gardens are perfect for quiet walks, and you’ll spot exotic plants, including rare rhododendrons, azaleas and foxgloves. Only assistance dogs are allowed, and there are no scooters or bikes, so you will genuinely experience a peaceful and calming walk.

Wildlife lovers will also love visiting Hare Hill. There’s a bird hide where you can spot blue tits, tree creepers and perhaps even a woodpecker. The ponds in the woodland gardens are home to newts, frogs, water boatmen and pond skaters.The National Trust is working hard to conserve these wetland areas and ensure these species can continue to thrive.

Nether Alderley

The mill at Nether Alderley dates back to the 1500s and was restored by the National Trust between 2008 and 2012. It is open to the public at certain times of the year, but you can only visit the mill as part of a guided tour.

If you do manage to get onto a tour, you’ll be visiting a building that was a significant part of Nether Alderley’s community for centuries.

The most interesting thing you’ll probably see on the tour is the graffiti covering the thick stone walls. It provides a fascinating read displaying the names of previous millers and workers who once worked in this historic building.

You’ll also see the millstones that weigh over a tonne. They’re made from French burr stones of metaquartzite and are particularly good at removing bran from flour.

You can also don a hard hat and visit the kiln where the grain was dried before being milled into flour.

The National Trust has done a fantastic job restoring this building and making it safe for visitors. It’s definitely worth taking the 5 min drive from Alderley Edge to visit this fascinating piece of history

Alderley Edge Countryside

If you haven’t been for a walk around the woodlands on the outskirts of Alderley Edge, you need to make sure you do. There’s an Alderley Edge National Trust car park, a cute coffee shop and toilet facilities, making it the perfect place to go for walks with your family, friends and of course, dogs!

There are plenty of different walks to take. Some very simple, flat walks and others slightly more strenuous. All are enjoyable and take you through the picturesque scenery.

One of the most popular walks is the Wizard’s walk which is roughly 1 mile and takes about 45 minutes. This walk takes you up to Stormy Point, an outcrop of stone that gives you the most spectacular view over Cheshire. 

Some also say Alderley Edge is magical. There are plenty of myths and legends surrounding this gorgeous stretch of Cheshire countryside. If that piques your interest, take a look at this article.

As well as taking a gentle stroll, you can go off-road biking or try orienteering. Buy a map for £1 from the National trust Cheshire and Wirral Countryside Office off Macclesfield road.

Longer walks take you off the well-trodden paths if you want to explore this woodland further. Wander through Clockhouse woods to Beech Cathedral, where trees measure over 100ft high.

You can also find a memorial to the Armada beacon that once stood at almost the highest point of the Edge. This beacon was the Tudor’s equivalent to email and was used as an alarm system in case the country was invaded. It’s hard to imagine, but the Edge had very few trees during this time, so this was a great spot to have a beacon that could be spotted from miles around.

We LOVE a great day out

We’re so lucky to have these places on our doorstep to visit.  There are so many Alderley Edge National Trust sites to visit, and we love being able to get outdoors and explore and also learn about Alderley Edge’s historical past.

If you’re a National Trust member, you can enjoy these places time and again for free. If you’re not a member, parking costs and entry fees apply to Hare Hill and Nether Alderley.

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