Bollington
OS Grid ref:- SJ9377
The Cheshire town of Bollington is located to the east of Prestbury.
In Medieval times it formed part of the Earl of Chester's manor of Macclesfield. Known locally as the 'Happy Valley', Bollington is situated on the River Dean and the Macclesfield Canal.
Back in Victorian times Bollington was a major centre for cotton spinning. The town's famous Waterhouse Mill, now demolished, was once famed for spinning the finest cotton in the world, much sought after by lace makers in Nottingham and Brussels. One of the oldest surviving mills in Bollington is the small Defiance Mill built which stands in Queen Street and dates to about 1800, it has now been restored and is being used for residential occupation.
Ingersley Vale, near Bollington is a deep and narrow valley which contains the now derelict Ingersley Clough Mill which was built in 1792. An impressive waterfall on the River Dean may be found at the lower end of Clough Pool, which once provided water to turn the water wheels at Ingersley Clough Mill. The water runs from the pool, down the waterfall and through a rocky gorge into the valley.
Every five or six years since 1964, the town has played host to The Bollington Festival which runs for two and a half weeks and involves various community activities, from concerts, theatrical, opera, art exhibitions, to local history events, science events and competition.
White Nancy
Bollington's most famous landmark is the iconic White Nancy, which surmounts nearby Kerridge Hill and is visible for miles around. White Nancy's distinctive profile forms the logo for the town.
White Nancy was built in 1817 by John Gaskell junior of North End Farm to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. It is believed that there was some sort of structure on the site before White Nancy was built. John Gaskell was a member of the Gaskell family of nearby Ingersley Hall. The monument once had an entrance to a single room which was furnished with stone benches and a central round stone table, which was used by the Gaskell family for picnics, but the entrance is now blocked to prevent vandalism.
Described as a summer house or a folly, the monument is circular in plan with its shape described as resembling that of a sugar loaf. It is constructed of sandstone rubble which has been rendered and painted white and stands about 18 feet (5 metres) high.
The summit of Kerridge Hill offers extensive views across the Cheshire Plain towards the mountains of Snowdonia to the west, the hills of Shropshire to the south and the Pennines to the north and east. The Gritstone Trail, a long distance footpath of around 35 miles, passes near to it.
A walk to White Nancy from Bollington
Distance 3.5 miles
Duration- around 2hrs
*Commencing at the top of Lord Street in Bollington, proceed along Cow Lane and pass through the gate at the far end of the cul-de-sac. Take the upper of the two available tracks, to enter a field on the right. Cross to the gate and cattle grid at the far left top corner.
*Turn left on to a farm track and continue along this until reaching a lane in the bottom of the valley. Turn right, and then almost immediately fork right again past some terraced cottages. Follow this path through the wood which you leave by crossing a stile. Cross the lower part of a sloping field and head for the buildings on the other side.
*Follow the gated path around to the right and continue through further fields. Cross a stile with a Gritstone Trail waymark and along the bottom edge of a plantation, then down a walled track through woods to reach the road at Tower Hill.
*Turn right, pass the Rising Sun Inn. Turn right into Lidgetts Lane, as the lane bends almost immediately right cross a stile ahead and on to a gated track past a row of trees. Swinging left follow this grassy path up to the ridge above.
* Follow the obvious hilltop track all the way along the spine of Kerridge Hill, ignoring tracks off either side to reach White Nancy.
*At the far end, drop down the path beyond, then cross a sunken farm lane and continue down across two more steep fields to reach a stile back into Cow Lane then Lord Street.
Nearby places of interest
Prestbury situated on the banks of the River Bollin, ancient Norman chapel in the churchyard and some fine half timbered buildings.
Pott Shrigley charming Cheshire village which lies on the very western edge of the Peak District National Park.