Cheshire East Countryside Ranger Service
@cecrangers
We develop, enhance and protect the countryside and urban sites within Cheshire East, while promoting the use of the Council’s outdoor recreational facilities. Find out more cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers
Sign up to the Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Service monthly email newsletter to get notified of all our upcoming countryside events. Our next newsletter will be sent out soon ✉️. It’s easy to sign up via this link - https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCHESHEC/subscriber/new
A quick reminder that BBQs and fires are not allowed at any of the countryside sites that the Ranger Service manage. The recent good weather means that a number of sites are dry and at risk of fire. Please help us to protect these sites.
The latest exhibition is now open at Tegg’s Nose Gallery. The Solo Art Exhibition of Diane Bullock is open every day from 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week until Wednesday 22nd July.
Upcoming event: Macclesfield Bioblitz 2026 - Thursday 16 July, 10am to 2pm. This is the annual ‘Bioblitz’ at Macclesfield Riverside Park. In partnership with the Mersey Rivers Trust, join experts discovering the birds, wildflowers, minibeasts and water life that can be found within the park.
Upcoming Summer Holiday Kids Activity Clubs based at Tegg's Nose Country Park from RIPS CIC - 6 weeks of exciting activities including Climbing / Abseiling / Tree Climbing / Paddle Sports at Rudyard Lake / Orienteering and Tree Climbing. Book your tickets ASAP - https://bit.ly/4atXJao
Ranger Martin & colleagues, across the countryside sites we manage, have been out & about with grass trimmers, mowers, shears & secateurs keeping the undergrowth from closing off the paths & making sure that our visitors can enjoy the warmer weather unobstructed by brambles & nettles.
Site highlight: Timbersbrook Picnic Area - A peaceful spot where families can picnic on the edge of young woodland. Water from Timbers Brook was once used to power the silk mill and the old Mill Pool is now a locally important breeding pond for toads - https://bit.ly/3pV9QqB
Site highlight: The Middlewood Way. A 10 mile (16km), traffic-free greenway from Macclesfield to Marple on the Peak Park fringe with car parking, toilets and information points, with fine views over the Cheshire Plain to the west - https://bit.ly/3xivd63
We’d love to hear about your visits to our beautiful Cheshire East countryside sites! Share your thoughts and help us make your experience even better. 🌳✨ https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/CountryParkSatisfaction/
Jacksons’ Brickworks Local Nature Reserve in Higher Poynton is looking fantastic, with the wildflower meadows in full flower with many different species including orchids. Summer butterflies including ringlet & meadow brown are emerging along with dragonflies from the ponds.
For info: the conservation grazing cattle, currently grazing the slopes at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, will be moved to the summit heathland compartment on Monday, 13th July until Friday the 17th July when they will move to the 4 fields. Please keep dogs under close control.
A step back in time to March when Bollin Valley Rangers Nik & Emma plus our friends from Mersey Rivers Trust and our volunteers were 'Birch Bashing' at Lindow Common SSSI in Wilmslow as part of heathland maintenance. The team was tree popping, bramble clearing, litter picking and twig bundle making.
Some enormous mushrooms have been spotted in the 4 fields at Tegg's Nose Country Park in the last few days. It's a common misconception that fungi are only to be seen in the autumn. Fungi belong to their own kingdom and are actually more closely related to animals than plants!
Site highlight: Tegg's Nose Country Park. Experience wild hill country, marvel at the fantastic views, enjoy food and drink at The Nose Coffee, and walk further afield into the Peak District or Macclesfield Forest https://bit.ly/2OhWuSZ
Site highlight: The Salt Line, a well surfaced trail following the line of a disused railway cutting through farmland and woodland as it runs towards Alsager. The Borrow Pit Meadows, adjacent to the Salt Line, are a mosaic of rich habitats - https://bit.ly/2PWU2Uz
Ranger Ed has been admiring Schoolfold meadow on the Middlewood Way. It is currently blooming with a mixture of annual and perennial flowers providing plenty of nectar and pollen for insects.
The orchids, at Tegg's Nose Country Park have been spectacular this year. Both the 4 fields, at the top of the park, the quarry area and the bridlepath meadow have been packed with colour. Both Common Spotted & Marsh orchids are showing well. Photos by Ranger Martin & Tony Gilbert.
From the Public Rights of Way Team: A rotten timber boardwalk on Public Footpath Marbury No. 32 has been replaced. This upgrade will provide a longer-lasting solution. A redundant stile has also been removed, with the landowner’s permission, helping to improve accessibility.
Site highlight: Jacksons’ Brickworks in Higher Poynton is a special place, reclaimed by nature after its industrial interlude. It is now so valuable for wildlife that it has been designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) - https://bit.ly/4oGJ5lQ
Birdlife at Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve has been boosted recently by the appearance of several new youngsters. The swans now have five tiny cygnets, and the great crested grebe have had two chicks, both seen riding across the lake on mums back!
Upcoming hands-on event: Himalayan Balsam Bash at Riverside, Saturday 27th June, 10am to 1pm - One in a series of annual bashing events in the Bollin Valley. Help us to manage the threat of this invasive plant. Booking not required. Meet at Macclesfield Riverside Park, Macclesfield, SK10 2SL.
Now is a great time to appreciate some of our beautiful native wildflowers and rambling roses. Here is a selection of various shades of pink on display at Macclesfield Riverside Park, including Red Campion, Fox Gloves, Dog Rose, and the less frequently encountered Marsh Orchid.
Site highlight: Poynton Coppice Local Nature Reserve. An attractive woodland rich in wildlife. It is thought to have been continuously wooded for thousands of years, so is classed as an ancient woodland - https://bit.ly/2wzpwpD
Site highlight: Biddulph Valley Way. For over 100 years trains travelled along the Biddulph Valley Way carrying coal from the Potteries to Congleton. Today walkers, cyclists and horse riders enjoy this tranquil route away from the roads - https://bit.ly/2oMUB25
A reminder that as we head into a hot and sunny weekend, please remember: 🔥 BBQs & lighting fires are prohibited across the sites we manage 🐶 Please keep your dogs under close control around livestock & other site users 🗑️ Please take litter home for recycling or responsible disposal
Upcoming event: Brass in the Hills at Tegg's Nose Country Park, Saturday 20th June, 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Macclesfield Brass are celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year & would like to entertain you by playing some popular music. The Nose Coffee will be opening late😁Bring a chair and a blanket!
The latest exhibition is now open at Tegg's Nose Gallery: The Octopuses Garden - contemporary ceramic exhibition by Will Boyce is on show 9am to 4pm every day until the 24th of June. Why not combine your visit with a walk round Tegg's Nose Country Park and visit to The Nose Coffee.
Countryside Access Forum Milestone. On 4 June, Cheshire East Countryside Access Forum held its 100th meeting since forming in 2001. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, the Forum continues to shape countryside access. Marked at Tatton Park, the perfect setting - Cheshire East Public Rights of Way Team.
It's bracken bashing season at Tegg's Nose & Rangers Martin & Roger would like to say thank you to the volunteer groups who have been helping reduce the impact of Bracken on our heathland. Recently South Manchester Conservation Volunteers were on the eastern slopes revisiting areas bashed last year.
Ranger Dan has recently installed some new benches at Macclesfield Riverside Park to be enjoyed over the warmer and drier months. Volunteers Paul and Mike have built and helped install a new accessible picnic bench and stoned path so visitors with wheelchairs can more easily access the picnic area.