A Mysterious Plod in Beckham's Back Yard

LONG before the Beckhams bought a grand house in this part of leafy Cheshire, a farmer from Mobberley met a wizard on Alderley Edge who revealed to him a cave full of sleeping warriors.

Ancient legends and folk tales abound on the sandstone crags of the famous Edge, ranging from druids to beacons to wishing wells and magical stones.

The Stanley family were the traditional landowners in this part of Cheshire, but now Alderley Edge, hiding in woodland above the village of the same name, is owned by the National Trust and is a popular beauty spot.

The legends of Merlin, Arthurian Knights and strange beasts have also been the inspiration for local children's author, Alan Garner. The affluent commuter village of Alderley Edge itself did not develop until after the railway opened in 1842, and the Birmingham and Manchester Railway encouraged rich Manchester cotton merchants to build their villas here so that the railway would be a profitable enterprise.

This short walk starts by the Wizard Inn and follows lanes, field paths and woodland tracks leading to the Edge itself. The Edge is the focal point for visitors as its offers breathtaking views north and east across Manchester, rural Cheshire and the Peak District.

There is a myriad of paths on the National Trust estate so you may wish to divert to uncover some of the Edge's many secrets and special places.

And if an ancient wizard beckons you into a cave, don't worry. Apparently he's friendly. . .

DISTANCE: 2 miles (allow 1 hour)

START: National Trust main car park. Alderley Edge (OS Grid Ref. 859773). This is on the left hand side of the B5087, a mile up the hill from the village just pass the Wizard Inn.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: train station at Alderley Edge. 1 miles away. Use these route directions in conjunction with the relevant OS Explorer map (268 Macclesfield and Congleton). Note. take care walking on the Edge itself as there is a sheer drop from the crags in places.

From the car park, follow the adjoining path or the road back to the Wizard Inn (this is a restaurant, not a pub). There is a minor crossroads here so cross over from the Wizard to join the narrow side lane (Artists Lane) directly opposite. Follow this lane for about half a mile as it winds through woodland and farmland.

Shortly after the lane bends to the left, join a signed footpath on the right hand side leading up a track.

Continue going straight ahead as it crosses another track and soon bears left along a woodland edge. Near a gate. turn right and follow a track leading to a stile at the edge of a field. Cross the field to reach another stile leading back onto the B road.

Take care and go directly across the road to join the path through National Trust land signposted "To The Edge".

This quickly leads to the sandstone outcrop of Castle Rock, but before enjoying the views from here it is worth diverting down the steps to the left of the outcrop. This path soon leads to the inscribed Wizard's Well formed in the rock. Retrace your steps back up to Castle Rock.

This is just a small section of the Edge providing views northwards across Manchester and Stockport.

Facing the high edge, the walk continues by turning right and taking the upper path which meanders through woodland and reaches a wall corner on the right.

Follow the main woodland path from here to the left of an ancient Armada beacon site to reach the main open expanse of the sandstone edge looking east towards Lyme Park.

You may wish to vary your route here to take in some of the paths and mysterious rock features below the Edge.

More information on these is available in the information centre near the main car park.

The walk continues by following the main woodland path to the right of the Edge soon arriving at a gate and squeeze stile leading onto a track overlooking farmland.

Turn right along this track which soon passes the information centre on the right just before the Wizard Inn.

Retrace your steps to the car park from here.

COUNTRY CLIPS

Combine a stream train excursion with a Pennine plod by following the Worth Way above the Worth Valley Railway in West Yorkshire. The route is a 5 mile linear walk between the steam train stations at Keighley or Oxenhope and you can return to the start via steam train or bus. Alternatively, the Worth Way can be walked as a more strenuous 11 mile circular route linking industrial Keighley with the village of Oxenhope overlooking locations used in the classic children's film "The Railway Children". The Worth Way is waymarked but a leaflet highlighting the route is also available.

Contact Haworth tourist information. Tel: 01533 642329.