Styal Country Park and Woods Walk
Explore the extensive, National Trust owned Styal Estate on this walk in Wilmslow, Cheshire. You can stroll along the River Bollin, through the peaceful woodland to the pretty Styal village. The cottages and barns of the village were built in the 1820s for the workers at Quarry Bank Mill. The cotton mill was built in 1784, and powered by Europe's most powerful working waterwheel on the banks of the River Bollin. Experts at the mill will provide you with an excellent history of the cotton industry and workings and machinery of the mill.
You can also enjoy a stroll through the beautiful Quarry Bank gardens with caves, cliffs, trees, rhododendrons, a glasshouse and views across the river to the mill.
Our Wilmslow Walk visits the estate from the town, following a river footpath through Carrs Park to the site. It's a nice way of visiting the estate if you are coming from Wilmslow train station or the town centre.
Postcode
SK9 4LA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Styal Country Park Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Styal Country Park Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Styal Country Park OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Styal Country Park Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head to the on site Mill Cafe for some post walk refreshments. The cafe has some history being set in the original Weaving Shed, built in the 1830s. Much of the food is sourced locally from the Apprentice House garden.
Dog Walking
The woodland and country trails in the park are ideal for dog walking so you're bound to see other owners on your visit. In the garden areas you are requested to keep them on leads please. Water bowls can be found around the mill yard and the garden café.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just a few miles west of the park you'll find another excellent National Trust property in the shape of Tatton Park. The expansive park has miles of cycling and walking trails taking you to a lake and beautiful Italian and Japanese gardens. At the northern edge of the park there's also the lovely Rostherne Mere. The area is also a designated nature reserve where you can look out for a variety of wildfowl on the water.
Part of the walk follows the Bollin Valley Way which can be followed toward Wilmslow or the Manchester Ship Canal at Partington.
On the western side of Wilmslow you will find Lindow Common Nature Reserve. The small common is a nice place for a stroll with pleasant footpaths taking you around birch woodland and heathland. There's also lots of wildlife to see on the common's pretty lake.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cheshire Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Gardens at Quarry Bank Mill. With a view of the River Bollin and what was used as the tennis lawn.
Quarry Bank Mill in Styal Country Park
Stone Footbridge, Styal Woods
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River Bollin seen from near Kingfisher Bridge (visible just ahead) on the North Cheshire Way in Styal Woods.
River Bollin and Kingfisher Bridge On the National Trust Trail in the woods.
Chapel Bridge. A modern bridge in the woodland area of the park.
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Mill Meadow (Quarry Bank)
The so-called Secret Garden surrounded the mill-owner's house, next to Quarry Bank Mill. The River Bollin is seen in the foreground.