about the project

The Kerridge Ridge and Ingersley Vale Project is a partnership between local residents, Cheshire County Council, Bollington Town Council, Rainow Parish Council, Macclesfield Borough Council, Bollin Valley Partnership and Groundwork. These groups are working together to protect and enhance a beautiful stretch of countryside between Bollington and Rainow in Cheshire.

Project area

The boundary of the project area is shown in this map (GIF image file, 400KB, opens in a new window).

Why is the area important?

Landscape

The countryside between Bollington and Rainow, in the valley of the River Dean, is a beautiful and important area valued for its landscape, wildlife interest, historical fedatures and footpath system. The Kerridge Ridge is an important landscape feature with spectacular views across the Cheshire Plain and towards the Peak District. The western slopes of the hill are heavily quarried for stone, and there is both historical interest and the issue of the landscape impact of the quarries when viewed from the ridge above. The Gritstone trail, a long distance path, runs the length of the ridge. At the northern end, the White Nancy monument overlooks Bollington. White Nancy is a popular local landmark and a historic symbol of Bollington. At the southern end there is a trig point at 313m, with views over the village of Rainow. Here, three paths descend to Rainow, Tower Hill and Kerridge End. The path along Kerridge Ridge is heavily used by local walkers and in places the footpath is eroded and stiles are requiring repair.

History

The Dean Valley contains many important historical features associated with the early industrial revolution. At Ingersley Vale there are more modern mills of historical significance. The intimate landscape of walls, hedgerows, small woods and meadows is criss-crossed by a well-used footpath network. Some of the paths have stone flags and are interesting features in the landscape.

Character

Ingersley Vale is a "hidden Valley" which links Rainow and Bollington along the River Dean. There is no through-road in the valley and it remains a quiet haven of attractive countryside with small fields, walls and flag paths linking across fields. There were a number of small mills with ponds along the valley, and at Waulkmill there is a spectacular small waterfall and gorge. Hough Hole house (not generally open to the public) features an "allegorical garden" based on the Pilgrim's Progress . The valley is an attractive historic landscape with many features of the early industrial revolution and the pre-industrial landscape.

The overall project aims are to preserve the natural and traditional features of the landscape in an area of accessible countryside that is heavily used for informal recreation by the local community. Read a full list of the project aims.