Summary of Key Attractions
On the western moors of the Peak District, Macclesfield is a market town that became the world’s largest producer of finished silk in the 19th century.
In 1832, there were 71 silk mills in Macclesfield, and one has been preserved along with its jacquard looms as part of the Silk Museum.
Macclesfield boasts a charming cobblestone town center situated on a steep hillside.
Ascend the 108 Steps to the Market Place, which is dominated by a Georgian Neoclassical town hall and a Medieval church featuring stunning Renaissance alabaster monuments.
Visitors can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi in the town center, a vibrant monthly market, and numerous options for excursions into the Peak District, including observing the impressive radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank or exploring country estates.
Let us explore the most noteworthy attractions in Macclesfield:
1. Silk Museum and Paradise Mill
The Silk Museum serves as an ideal introduction to Macclesfield’s industrial heritage, housing a world-class collection of silk textiles alongside the meticulously preserved Paradise Mill (circa 1860), maintained in its 1930s state.
This museum delves into the origins of Macclesfield’s finished silk trade, illustrating the production process on looms and providing a candid depiction of life in the mills.
Guests have the opportunity to view a live silk worm, while dressmakers and couture enthusiasts can marvel at the extensive pattern book archive, which contains nearly 1,000 volumes and showcases exquisite silk garments.
A short walk away, a guided tour of the Paradise Mill can be undertaken, featuring 26 restored jacquard looms, which remained operational until 1981.
2. The Peak District
For convenient access to the western side of the Peak District National Park, Macclesfield stands out as the ideal town.
The Peak District is the UK’s inaugural National Park, established in 1951, characterized by its diverse landscapes.
On the Macclesfield side are the outlying moors of the gritty Dark Peak, traversed by the treacherous A537, recognized as England’s most hazardous road; therefore, caution is advised.
Within a ten-minute drive, visitors can reach Shining Tor for a hike to a 560-meter peak, from which the distant radio telescopes at Jodrell Bank can be discerned.
Further east, Cats Tor stands at 520 meters; this hike is manageable, as a convenient car park is located just 60 meters below.
3. Jodrell Bank
Macclesfield is situated near the Jodrell Bank Observatory, established in 1945 and affiliated with the University of Manchester.
The principal telescope at Jodrell Bank is the monumental Lovell Telescope, constructed in 1957, which remains the third largest steerable dish radio telescope globally, measuring 76.2 meters in diameter.
Astronomy enthusiasts travel considerable distances to appreciate this impressive structure, which, along with the rest of the facility, has been proposed for World Heritage Status.
The Discovery Centre, inaugurated at Jodrell Bank in 2011, features a Planet Pavilion boasting the world’s most extensive clockwork model of the Solar System, in addition to games and interactive exhibits pertaining to the Solar System and Milky Way.
At the Space Pavilion, visitors can explore the mathematics and science underlying radio telescopes, learn about the universe’s origins, and enjoy engaging animations and archival footage.
4. Tegg’s Nose Country Park
Experience an introduction to the Peak District right on Macclesfield’s eastern flank at this park on the slopes of the prominent Tegg’s Nose hill.
Upon arrival at the car park, a visitor center awaits, equipped with leaflets and informative boards detailing the hill’s human history and wildlife.
For centuries, Tegg’s Nose was quarried for millstone grit, and a historical quarry site has been preserved and marked with informative signs.
Ambitious hikers may aspire to reach the 380-meter summit, while the park offers numerous other activities, including climbing, abseiling, horseback riding, cycling, and fishing at the reservoirs to the south.
The views from Tegg’s Nose three ridges are breathtaking, extending as far as Liverpool, approximately 40 miles to the west on clear days.
5. West Park
Local residents united their efforts to fund the establishment of this park adjacent to the town center.
West Park, opened in 1854, provides a verdant retreat for individuals who worked up to 70 hours a week in the mills.
Today, it features a well-appointed urban area, including a playground, skate park, and beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens.
An additional attraction is the West Park Museum, envisioned in the 19th century by the Egyptologist Marianne Brocklehurst, daughter of mill-owner and Macclesfield’s first MP, John Brocklehurst.
The museum houses her collections of sarcophagi and carvings, as well as the permanent exhibit of Macc Panda, a stuffed giant panda brought here by a subsequent Brocklehurst in 1935.
6. 108 Steps
The winding, picturesque stairway leading from the train station to St Michael’s Church and the Market Place has become an emblematic feature of Macclesfield.
This route has existed since at least the 17th century, and the cobblestones were restored in 2014 following a campaign initiated by residents.
The stairway is flanked by brick walls and passes by charming old houses; and if a break is needed, you can enjoy refreshing views of the town.
7. St Michael’s Church
At the top of the steps, visitors should explore St Michael’s Church, which overlooks the Market Place and is visible throughout the town.
Although the church was nearly entirely reconstructed at the beginning of the 20th century, it is highly appreciated for its two historic chapels.
Within, one can discover what is regarded as Cheshire’s most significant collection of alabaster effigies, crafted in the 16th and 17th centuries for the Legh and Savage families.
In the Legh Chapel, a set of memorial brasses includes the noteworthy one for William Legh, who died in 1630. The grandest monument in the larger Savage Chapel is the tomb of John Savage (d. 1495) and his wife Katherine, featuring exquisite recumbent effigies of the couple.
8. Hare Hill
While the country house at Hare Hill Hall is privately owned, its gardens are maintained by the National Trust.
The highlight is the walled garden, which bursts into a spectrum of colors in early summer when the rhododendrons and azaleas bloom.
Additionally, there are rare varieties of poppies, irises, lupins, phlox, and echinacea.
Paths lead into the woodlands, and visitors can rest by the park’s lake for a delightful picnic during the summer months.
A walking route towards Alderley Edge, a red sandstone escarpment also owned by the National Trust, offers stunning views from over 200 meters high.
9. Adlington Hall
Adlington Hall, a splendid amalgamation of architectural styles, was established at the close of the 15th century and underwent renovations in the 18th century.
Hence, while the northern and eastern facades feature charming black and white timber framing, the southern and western wings are constructed from brick and showcase a solemn Palladian portico.
Adlington is available for hire for weddings; however, on Sundays between April and October, both the house and gardens welcome visitors.
The Medieval Great Hall is notable for its impressive hammer-beam roof.
Look up to admire the intricately designed coffering, consisting of 60 compartments, each bearing the coats of arms of noble families from Cheshire.
The Great Organ is believed to be the most significant 17th-century instrument in England.
Other beautiful rooms include the Dining Room, Chapel, Chinese Room, Minstrels’ Gallery, and Number 10 bedroom.
The gardens invite visitors to engage with the maze and appreciate the aromatic rose garden in mid-summer.
10. White Nancy
Park your vehicle in Bollington, located three miles north of Macclesfield, for a hike up Kerridge Hill, where you will find this distinctive structure.
Perched 280 meters above sea level, White Nancy is an ordnance marker erected in 1815 by land surveyors.
Constructed from sandstone rubble, this monument is whitewashed and features a finial atop its structure.
Occasionally, the white walls serve as a canvas for artwork; for instance, it was recently painted with the likeness of Mark E. Smith of The Fall following his passing in 2018, and previously showcased a bee in solidarity with Manchester after the 2017 bombing. Additionally, this hike offers perspectives of the Cheshire Plains, extending to the Shropshire Hills to the south and the North Welsh mountains to the west.
11. Riverside Park
Located along the River Bollin, Riverside Park is positioned north of the town center and connects seamlessly with West Park.
Though adjacent to the town, Riverside Park provides a tranquil atmosphere with two extensive woodlands, a community orchard, a butterfly meadow, and a wildflower meadow.
The latter area is grazed by gentle longhorn cattle to control the growth of invasive grass species.
One could leisurely explore these paths for an hour, and Riverside Park also serves as the starting point for the Bollin Valley Way, a 25-mile trail following the river and culminating at the Manchester Ship Canal in Partington.
12. Capesthorne Hall
This impressive Jacobean Revival country house showcases its current design, attributed to the Victorian architect Edward Blore, who also contributed to Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace.
The facade, remodeled in the 1830s, conceals a history that extends back more than a century prior.
Though primarily serving as a wedding venue, Capesthorne Hall welcomes visitors on Sundays and Mondays during the spring and summer months.
Anyone with an appreciation for English country houses will relish the opportunity to explore the interiors.
The Sculpture Gallery features works by Canova and Nollekens, while its exquisite panelled ceiling extends the same magnificence to the Saloon, Drawing Room, Library, Study, and State Dining Room.
In the State Dining Room, guests can admire pieces by another prominent sculptor of that era, Joseph Wilton.
Additionally, the landscaped grounds merit your attention, containing 18th-century maple trees, a magnificent private chapel, and a lake spanned by a bridge dating back to 1843.
13. St Peter’s Church, Prestbury
This 13th-century church, located approximately one mile north of Macclesfield, is the fourth establishment on this site.
Interestingly, the third church still remains, nestled among ancient yew trees.
A Norman Romanesque chapel from the 12th century is located within the churchyard, featuring semi-circular door and window arches and weathered yet visible tympanum relief and lozenge patterns within the archivolts.
The main church predominantly exhibits the Early English Gothic architecture of the 13th century, with a Perpendicular tower added in the 15th century.
In the nave, observe the paintings above the pillars, created in 1719, alongside the Jacobean pulpit from the early 17th century.
Noteworthy features include a 14th-century piscina in the south aisle and the 15th-century ledger stone dedicated to Reginald Legh, who contributed to the construction of the church tower and porch.
14. Blaze Farm
Set against a striking backdrop of the Peak District, Blaze Farm is a working farm accessible at no charge.
Children can interact with goats, sheep, donkeys, and chickens, and seasonal activities such as lambing in springtime and sheep shearing in summer are available.
The expansive farm features nature trails that guide visitors through woodlands and meadows.
Free entry is possible as Blaze Farm generates revenue from its award-winning Hilly Billy ice cream, crafted on-site using milk sourced from the Peak District.
In summer, you can savor a couple of scoops or indulge in a slice of home-baked cake at the tearoom.
15. Treacle Market
On the last Sunday of each month, Macclesfield’s Marketplace, Old Butter Market, and St Michael’s Churchyard transform to accommodate over 160 stalls for the Treacle Market.
This initiative, which commenced in 2010, successfully replaced the previous weekly market and primarily focuses on antiques, vintage clothing, and arts and crafts, while also providing ample food and drink stalls.
At the market, vendors typically offer items such as knitting yarn, vintage makeup boxes, and picture frames, along with local cheeses, jams, handcrafted pies, and bottles of freshly pressed apple juice.
For lunch, a variety of enticing street food stalls serve fresh soups, curries, and authentic paella.
