White Nancy, Kerridge Hill and the Macclesfield Canal
Cheshire
White Nancy is the white-painted dome on the end of Kerridge Hill above Bollington, built by the Gaskell family in 1817 and believed to mark the victory at Waterloo. Livestock graze Kerridge Hill, so a dog goes up on a lead, then has level field paths and a canal towpath to enjoy on the way back. This 8.2km circuit from the free Adlington Road car park climbs a flight of steps to the monument, then follows the Gritstone Trail along the ridge to the trig pillar on Kerridge Hill at 313 metres, with long views over the Cheshire Plain and down to Macclesfield. The route comes down through fields to the Macclesfield Canal, opened in 1831, and returns along the towpath past mills, aqueducts and moored narrowboats. There are about 248 metres of climbing, almost all in the short steep pull to White Nancy and the ridge, with the rest on level field paths and towpath.
This dog friendly walk gives a good mix of hill, fields and water, but dogs will be on a lead for much of it. Livestock graze the fields on and around Kerridge Hill, and walking guides for the route ask for dogs to be kept on leads. The canal gives a drink, but the edges are steep, so keep a close eye on dogs who like to jump in. The ridge is exposed with little shade. Bollington is busy with walkers and dogs at weekends, and the town has cafes and pubs near the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.2 km (5.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Canal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs and shops in Bollington near the start; none on the ridge.
- Parking
- Adlington Road car park, Bollington, Cheshire East Council, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to White Nancy, Kerridge Hill and the Macclesfield Canal, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CheshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is White Nancy, Kerridge Hill and the Macclesfield Canal dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It is a popular local dog walk with a real hill, big views and a level return along the canal towpath. The score reflects the grazing livestock on and around Kerridge Hill, which mean dogs spend much of the route on a lead, and the steep canal edges.
Can dogs be off lead at White Nancy, Kerridge Hill and the Macclesfield Canal?
Only briefly. Walking guides for the White Nancy circuit ask for dogs to stay on a lead because livestock graze the fields on the hill and along the ridge. The canal towpath is free of livestock, but it is shared with cyclists and other walkers, and the water is deep with steep sides, so most owners keep dogs close there too.
What should I know before visiting White Nancy, Kerridge Hill and the Macclesfield Canal with my dog?
The climb to White Nancy is a flight of steps and a short, steep slope, then the ridge is open and exposed, so bring water on warm days. Field paths can be very muddy in spring and autumn. Parking at Adlington Road car park is free but busy at weekends, and there are more car parks around Bollington. The canal is deep and steep sided, so it is not a safe place for a swim.
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Adlington Road Car Park, Adlington Road, Bollington, Macclesfield SK10 5JT
53.2993, -2.1056
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