Walks from Knutsford

Flat Cheshire field paths through Tatton Park, its meres and mansion, the moated Holford Hall and the town of Knutsford.

Time: 3h30

1 highlight: Tatton Park (A historic estate with a Georgian mansion, deer park and two meres (Tatton Mere and Melchett Mere) on the edge of Knutsford)

Lunch: Tatton Park Mansion courtyard has cafe facilities roughly halfway round.

Warnings: Field sections have several stiles and can be muddy.

Walk details: Northern Railway (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: A flat, mostly straightforward walk through lovely Cheshire countryside, with quiet field and farmland paths past pubs and over Paddock Hill. Some narrower paths have overgrowth, particularly nettles and there are multiple paths to choose from at the Knutsford end requiring care. A frequent bus (number 88) links the two towns; planes can be seen landing at Manchester Airport, and there are alpacas on Paddock Hill.

1 lunch spot: the Bulls Head

Warnings: Some narrow paths are overgrown with nettles; the Longridge to Pavement Lane section near Knutsford has multiple paths and needs a map to stay on route.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Fabulous houses to admire en-route. A lovely, very flat and straightforward walk on obvious footpaths through varied fields, woods and countryside, peaceful and well-marked. A few sections can be overgrown, there are about three stiles and but the ground is easy and the ways are clear. Good transport links: buses to Knutsford and trains from Chelford allow a circular trip. Plenty of places to sit and rest with views of the Cheshire Plain. Extensive woodland.

End-of-walk reward: A local grocer's and, with a short diversion, a pub at Chelford.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A varied walk over fields, woodland and streams, clearly marked throughout, but a little boggy in places and so good boots are needed especially in winter. The public footpath through Toft Woods / Windmill Wood may be closed for tree-felling. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A direct, safe and enjoyable route that avoids traffic where possible, on field paths through countryside. Some fields between Knutsford and Mobberley can be very boggy after rain and a couple of stiles and gates need repair; new housing and unsown fields mean a little route-finding is needed. A short deviation into Ashley reaches a pub.

Lunch: A pub at Ashley, via a short deviation mid-route.

End-of-walk reward: Treat yourself to frozen yoghurt in Hale at the finish.

Warnings: Fields can be very boggy after wet weather, and some stiles and gates need repair. A new housing development means following a wooden fence around a building site, and a couple of fields may need skirting around the edge. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.