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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


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.


Cheshire Villages