Sandbach Walks
This Cheshire based market town has an interesting history and a number of fine local walks to try. There's canalside paths, a local nature reserve, waymarked countryside trails and a fine old hall to explore in the immediate area.
This walk from the town takes you along the Trent and Mersey Canal to the nearby Rode Hall. The hall is one of the highlights of the area with a beautiful lake and gardens to see.
The walk starts in the pretty Sandbach Park in the town centre. The park is a lovely place for a stroll in the town centre, with woods, ponds, gardens and a nice big green. The route then heads south east to the Sandbach Crosses, one of the historical landmarks of the area. The Saxon stone crosses are located on the cobbled market square in the town centre Sandbach. The photogenic structures are carved with animals and Biblical scenes.
You continue south west through the town to Wheelock where you can pick up the canal. Follow it east and it will take you past Malkin's Bank and a series of locks before coming to Thurlwood and Rode Hall. The handsome Georgian country house is surrounded by parkland and gardens. Highlights include a one mile lake and the popular Snowdrop Walks in February. In spring the herbaceous border comes to life, rhododendrons bloom and there are carpets of bluebells to see in the woodland. After exploring the hall the route returns to Sandbach on the same paths.
Sandbach Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Sandbach Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Sandbach OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Sandbach Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Sandbach
- Trent and Mersey Canal - Follow the Trent and Mersey Canal through Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire on this long distance waterside walk
- Mow Cop - Visit Mow Cop Castle and the Old Man of Mow on this short circular walk on the Cheshire–Staffordshire border
- Cheshire Ring Canal Walk - This nice easy walk follows six historic canals through Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire
- Rode Hall - This fine Georgian country house is located in Cheshire, near Kidsgrove and Sandbach
- Wheelock Rail Trail - This shared cycling and walking trail runs along a disused railway line in Sandbach
- Salt Line - This route follows a disused railway line near Alsager and Sandbach
Pubs/Cafes
The Old Hall is a historic pub of some note and a fine choice for some post walk refreshment. The Grade 1 listed pub dates from 1656 and was once the residence of the Lords of the Manor of Sandbach. There's a charming interior with historic features including wooden floors, beams and opens fires. There's also a light filled garden room which looks out upon a stone terrace. Outside there's a lovely rose garden where you can relax in warmer weather. You can find the inn just to the south of the park at a postcode of CW11 1AL for your sat navs.
You can also stop off for afternoon tea at the tea rooms in Rode Hall. There's also a good menu with dishes made using organic ingredients from their kitchen garden. Plants and seasonal garden produce may also be purchased here.
Dog Walking
The canal and parkland at Rode Hall make for a pleasant walk with your dog. You are asked to keep them on leads around the grounds of Rode Hall though. The Old Hall pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just to the east of Rode Hall you will find Mow Cop. There's a well known 18th century folly here with excellent views over the area.
The Trent and Mersey Canal is part of the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk which you can use to explore the canals of the county. If you follow the towpath west you can visit Elton Flashes Nature Reserve where there are a number of pools with lots of wildlife to see. Continue north along the canal and it will take you to Elworth, Moston and the neighbouring town of Middlewich.
Around Wheelock you can pick up the Wheelock Rail Trail. This popular path is suitable for both walkers and cyclists. It runs for just over a mile between Malkin's Bank and Elworth along a flat surfaced path. It's a nice one to do if you fancy and easy stroll in the area. Not far from the eastern end of the trail you'll find a similar route along the Salt Line. This path will take you from Hassall Green to Alsager, passing the Borrow Pit Meadows nature reserve on the way.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cheshire Walks page.
Photos
Sandbach crosses. Erected in the 9th Century to commemorate the adoption of christianity by King Penda around 635AD
North side of St Mary's church. The two additions to the north aisle are the Vicar's vestry (foreground) and choir vestry (right of photo). The church is built on a low hill overlooking the Dingle Brook, the "sandy stream" that gave Sandbach its name.
Sandbach Old Hall. The fine exterior of this pub which dates from 1656.
Lock No 66, Trent and Mersey Canal, Wheelock, Cheshire. The A534 crosses the canal here. Temporarily, the lock chamber on the right is not in operation.
Thurlwood Steel Lock No 53, Trent and Mersey Canal 1981. One of the pair of Thurlwood Locks was selected as the subject of this experiment in modern lock construction, but it was not successful; the prototype remained the sole example, and by 1981 the steel lock was not in use and the parallel conventional lock had to be used. The steel lock was removed and cut up for scrap in 1988.
Obelisk and lake at Rode Hall
.jpg)
Rode Hall. View of the house.
Half-timbered Houses and War Memorial. Sandbach was a salt town, later silk and still has many old, interesting houses. The thatched Black Bear pub carries a date of 1634.