Walking Guide for Open Gardens in Marple
A pdf version of this guide is available for download and a paper version will be available from Information Points.
Middlewood Way
From Rose Hill Station to Woodville Drive (Gardens 4-6): 15 minutes
From Rose Hill Station car park (behind The Railway pub), walk up Railway Road towards the recycling centre. On the left, take the Middlewood Way and continue for 8 minutes until you reach a junction of paths where Wood Lane crosses and the Rugby Club is off to the right.
Turn left along Wood Lane and then take the first right onto Woodville Drive. Follow the road to reach Gardens 4, 5 and 6.
Hidden Footpaths
From Nab Lane (Garden 3) to Ashwood Crescent (Gardens 9-13): 13 minutes
From Nab Lane turn right onto Dale Road. Turn left over the railway bridge onto Bowden Lane and then left onto Seven Stiles Drive. Turn right onto Whiteoak Close. At the end of the cul-de-sac take the footpath. After a minute it emerges onto Aspenwood Close and continues to the right.
Continue straight on the footpath, passing Marple’s well-screened cricket ground on the right and Ashwood Crescent Wastewater Pumping Station on the left. When the path meets the road, go:
- left for Ashwood Crescent (Gardens 10-13)
- right for Stiles Avenue (Garden 9)
- straight over on the continuation of the footpath for the Seven Stiles Allotments (No14).
Canal-side walk to Gardens 19 and 20
A circular walk for access to Gardens 19 and 20 on Strines Road. The canal can be accessed at various places but is described here from the middle of Winnington Road, returning via the community orchard on Marple Recreation Ground. 50 minutes
From the GirlGuiding HQ: 15 minutes
From the Winnington Road mini roundabout, (between gardens 15 and 16) take the path signposted Marple Train Station to gain access to the Peak Forest canal. Cross the canal at the lock and turn right to walk uphill along the canal towpath. After 5 minutes cross Station Road with care and continue with the canal now on your left past locks 10, 11 and 12. The Memorial Park is on your right. Use the foot tunnel to cross under Stockport Road and continue up Lockside past lock 16 where the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals meet. Cross over the bridge and continue straight on up Suttons Lane (an unmade road) to reach the rear of the Guide Hut on the right. There are refreshments, toilets and activities available here.
Leave the GirlGuiding HQ from the front of the building and turn left, passing Chapel House Farm on the narrow Brickbridge Road to reach the Peak Forest Canal at a bridge. Cross the the bridge and turn left to take the winding path back underneath the canal, so you are walking with the canal now on your right. Walk along the tow path for 10 minutes until, after a right-hand bend, a footbridge comes into view. Turn sharp left on a narrow footpath to reach Strines Road. Cross with care. You have reached Gardens 19 and 20.
To return via the community orchard retrace your steps from gardens 19 and 20. After the winding path, cross the bridge again but turn immediately right to follow the towpath back to the canal junction. Cross the bridge and follow Lockside to the far end of lock 16. Turn right to cross the canal on a path signposted Oldknow's Lime Kilns. Continue on Lime Kiln Road to reach Strines Road. The community orchard is ahead behind the wall. Access the orchard by crossing Strines Road with care, turn right and then turn left.
