National Trust - Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside Reviews Summary

Category: Nature preserve

Address: Macclesfield Rd, Nether Alderley, Macclesfield SK10 4UB, United Kingdom

Phone: +441625584412

Rating: 4.7
based on 139 reviews.

Car Park

Pros:

  • "Parking in the National Trust car park is free for members."
  • "The car park is quite large and it is free for NT members, just scan your card."
  • "Car park fully open with plenty of spaces."
  • "Cheap parking and a nice coffee shop near the carpark."

Cons:

  • "The car park is quite expensive."
  • "Parking fee was £5 for 3 hrs, it's free parking for National trust members but you have to scan the QR code on your membership card."
  • "Parking on a weekend and holidays can be tricky even in the pay for NT car park."
  • "Difficult to park car(we got last space in parking lot)."
  • "Then Car Park to the side of The Wizard Public House its a pay & display that is quite expensive for a long time."

Views and Scenery

Pros:

  • "Such a serene and peaceful place. Lots of walks, large car park and beautiful views across the Cheshire plain."
  • "The view from the two edges makes this worth a visit."
  • "Fantastic place to walk your dog or have a day out with the family, air is refreshing and the view is amazing."
  • "One of Cheshire most beautiful spots......the views are nothing less than spectacular."
  • "Great view over the cheshire plains from the edge."
  • "Lovely woodland with some amazing views across the Cheshire plain from Stormy Point at the edge itself."
  • "Stunning views of Cheshire from sandstone cliffs set in beautiful woodland."

Cons:

  • "NB: some trees obstruct view (please see photos) - Cheshire council to correct by summer 2021 to gain that missing star."
  • "It's not an edge like those in Derbyshire, it's more wooded, and less open to the views."

Facilities

Pros:

  • "Toilets open little coffee shop at the Wizard."
  • "There are toilet facilities in the car park."
  • "Lovely walk, cafe and toilets available."
  • "Stopped off at the outdoor café and it was very pleasant."

Cons:

  • "Very busy. Toilets in car park but no hot water."
  • "The woods themselves are of course stunning! There are no bins, so people leave dog poop bags throughout the walk."
  • "Only downside is there's not a bin. Anywhere!"
  • "There is not 1 single bin around anywhere. People have been leaving litter and dog poo bags."
  • "Was disappointed there was no bins, not one bin."
  • "Absolutely disgusted by the number of dog poo bags strewn around the place with no sign of poo bins."
  • "Only dowside would that there are NO BINS, which means that many people just can't be bother to pick up their dog's mess and carry it with them around."

Accessibility and Signage

Pros:

  • "Good place to walk and enjoy the scenery! Lots of open places for dogs to play and run."
  • "Many locations with long distance views over Manchester, Stockport and Lyme Park linked by well maintained footpaths."
  • "Great weather and well signposted walks."
  • "Well marked paths criss-crossing the area, so easy to navigate without fear of getting yourself lost!"

Cons:

  • "Unfortunately the mines are no longer accessible due to undisciplined children thinking it was a good idea to burn tyres in them."
  • "We thought the various walks could be a bit better signposted."
  • "There's a shortage of signposts in some areas."
  • "Parking and directions aren't as clear as they could be."
  • "Trails are not the best, especially with wet weather, as they are badly worn in places."

Dog-Friendly Environment

Pros:

  • "Dog walkers are responsible, in the main."
  • "Good place to walk and enjoy the scenery! Lots of open places for dogs to play and run."
  • "What a lovely place to walk, ideal for our dog too."
  • "This is one of my favourite places to walk with my dog."
  • "Great well kept little woods ideal for a stroll, or loops. Parking is free but limited or further along a pay-for National trust car park."

Cons:

  • "The only thing that can bother is parking and that it can be busy..dogs are everywhere free range..Children can be in danger because of this."
  • "Rename it National Trust - Dog poop Edge."
  • "DOG OWNERS please put your bags in the bins they don't look good in the trees."
  • "Irresponsible dog walkers that don't pick up or bag it up and leave it to collect later (but never do)."
  • "The only issue is that there is a number of dog walkers that feel it's fair to bag up their dog mess and leave it on the track side which is not nice."
  • "Love Alderley, however they need to get the situation regarding installing dog poo bins sorted."

Overall Experience

Pros:

  • "Whether it is the green shoots of spring, the shade in the summer, the leaves in the autumn or the crispness of winter, Alderley Edge is one of the best places to do your 10000 steps a day."
  • "A magical and enchanting woods, there's so much to discover here you could go on a little adventure."
  • "The cafe is popular with cyclists and the pub has good ales and good food."
  • "A very pretty and popular place to walk, with excellent views towards Manchester as well as a waterfall tucked away in the woods."
  • "A beautiful area with miles of woodland to explore - exquisite in summer, autumn and the rest of the year too."
  • "A pearl of the UK. Stunning beauty with friendly visitors."
  • "A wonderful and magical place.....it has lots of things to see....from a magical little waterfall to old mines and even a druid stone circle."

Cons:

  • "It's a pity the National Trust shut the car park so early because this area is ideally suited to a summer evening stroll."
  • "Well guys what can I say the National Trust has done it yet again years ago you could walk all over Alderley Edge and up the top to the caves and all around but now you can't get anywhere near some of the main sites as they have all been blocked off by wire fences to keep people out."
  • "I'm so upset and angry I don't want to visit again."
  • "Parking is dreadful...and all the good bits like the caves are behind barb wire fences."
  • "However, sadly the popularity of the Edge is having a great impact on its tranquillity, and the flora and fauna."
  • "However some recent work has created some areas which retains water for a very long time. Even it has not rained for days, those areas by the side of paths is still deep mud!"
  • "Good place for a nice walk once a decade...."

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