Cheshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-river-bollin-wilmslow-and-styal">The River Bollin, Wilmslow and Styal</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="600" height="400" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/IMG_6652-ezgif.com-resize.jpg" alt="Paddling in the Rover Bollin" class="wp-image-8581" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/IMG_6652-ezgif.com-resize.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/IMG_6652-ezgif.com-resize-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></figure>



<p>If you know Wilmslow at all, head over to King’s Road in Pownall Park and once you spot a small post box, you should be able to catch sight of a narrow passageway leading away from the road. Walk down here, swinging to the right and along a tight path which drops down suddenly towards a trickling stream, where you can gaze into the gardens of the parallel King’s Road. Earthy paths eventually turns to boardwalks as the River Bollin appears on your left, and in every nook, wildflowers blooming in every direction, running all the way as you plod on, weaving into the Carr’s Park, over Twinnie’s Bridge and into the woods of Styal Country Park. Feeling thirsty? Walk all the way to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theshipstyal.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ship Inn</a>&nbsp;in Styal, slip your boots off and refuel with a slap-up pie, all washed down with a warming red.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lymm-damm-and-bridgewater-canal">Lymm Damm and Bridgewater Canal</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Lymm-Cheshire-1024x684.jpg" alt="MNT0KD Lymm. Cheshire. North West England. Bridgewater canal. Bridgewater House" class="wp-image-553" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Lymm-Cheshire-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Lymm-Cheshire-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Lymm-Cheshire-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Lymm-Cheshire-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Lymm-Cheshire-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re granted vast blue skies over the Bridgewater Canal, then you&#8217;re onto a ridiculously idyllic and easy walk taking in the Lymm Dam and this scenic waterway. This flat, circular trail loops along woodland paths and lanes for around 6km &#8211; filled with pretty-in-every-season wildflowers and dreamy country homes peering over the canal. Expect ducks, herons, and kingfishers gliding past as you stroll through &#8211; and you might even spot the odd paddle boarder cruising along the canal. A coffee van (and sometimes ice cream) sets up shop at the dam, too, if you need some sustenance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dee-estuary"><a href="https://ourdeeestuary.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dee Estuary </a></h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="701" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-dinah-ann-lendzian-3447981-5147747-1024x701.jpg" alt="Estuary" class="wp-image-8588" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-dinah-ann-lendzian-3447981-5147747-1024x701.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-dinah-ann-lendzian-3447981-5147747-300x205.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-dinah-ann-lendzian-3447981-5147747-768x526.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-dinah-ann-lendzian-3447981-5147747.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>The beauty of a walk around the flat and eerie expanse of the Dee Estuary, is that you can wind up at The Boathouse &#8211; a popular hangout with a large terrace where hikers revel in the scenery after a wind-blasted walk. Even if it’s chilly outside, try and stick it out on the terrace for the amethyst sunsets. You’re right on an RSPB nature reserve in the seaside town of Parkgate that no longer sits by the sea but a saltmarsh. Once donkey rides, ice-cream-licking locals and kids carting buckets and spades were here, though today you’ll find crop fields, the vast waters of the Dee Estuary and geese, waders and birds of prey. Follow the old sea wall which eventually morphs into a disused railway line before staring at it all from on high at the pub, wine in hand.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-japanese-garden-at-tatton-park"><a href="https://www.tattonpark.org.uk/what_to_see_and_do/gardens/garden_areas/japanese_garden.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Japanese Garden at Tatton Park</a></h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/tatton_park-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Tatton Park Japanese Garden" class="wp-image-105" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/tatton_park-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/tatton_park-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/tatton_park-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/tatton_park.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Not a river or a breezy coastal walk. But if you fancy finding zen in one of the most idicllic gardens in all of Cheshire, mosey on over to Tatton Park. It vast sprawls are renowned for spotting deer and wandering beneath the boughs of huge oaks. But I implore you to plod on over to its dreamy Japanese garden, where a glassy lake lies in the shadow of fluttering acers and a bridge arches towards the Shinto Shrine. You can walk around the perimeter every day of the week, but if you&#8217;d like to closer look, there are guided tours on Wednesdays and Sundays. Gorgeous all year round. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waulkmill-wood">Waulkmill Wood</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="748" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-ellie-burgin-1661546-3432932-1024x748.jpg" alt="Waterfall in a wood" class="wp-image-8589" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-ellie-burgin-1661546-3432932-1024x748.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-ellie-burgin-1661546-3432932-300x219.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-ellie-burgin-1661546-3432932-768x561.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-ellie-burgin-1661546-3432932-1536x1123.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/04/pexels-ellie-burgin-1661546-3432932-2048x1497.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Covering the slopes of Kerridge Hill and tumbling down towards Bollington, this wood truly blinks back to life in spring with vast sweeps of bluebells, and later in May and June, pockets of red campian turning the ground pink. And magnificently, this woodland is also home to one of Cheshire’s only waterfalls: a great, rushing torrent of water that few people seem to know about. The fact is there’s no car park. And the only way to reach it is via a trail from Bollington, winding through the wood where you’ll eventually pop out close to the mini falls. Absolutely worth the effort.</p>



<p><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/sign-up/">ENJOYED THIS? Get more just like it sent directly to your inbox every Thursday and Sunday – join the list!</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/finding-calm-the-most-beautiful-secret-gardens-in-cheshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The most beautiful secret gardens in Cheshire to visit right now (2026 guide)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/the-best-spring-walks-in-cheshire/">Blooming’ lovely! The best spring walks in Cheshire</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/the-best-things-to-do-in-cheshire-in-april/">The best things to do in Cheshire in April</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/the-best-adventure-playgrounds-in-cheshire/">The best adventure playgrounds in Cheshire</a></li>
</ul>


5 beautiful waterside walks in Cheshire

You may also like