Middle-aged spread might attack congregations, or even the clergy, but at Siddington the church itself has succumbed. Under the weight of the Kerridge flagstone roof the walls bulged so dangerously that the medieval timbers were clad in local red bricks. The wattle and daub still lies beneath - a mixture of clay, lime, straw and cowdung - while the unusual bell turret holds a single bell. Cast in 1588 to warn of the Spanish invasion, it rang out instead to celebrate the Armada's defeat.
LOCATION: Seven miles south of Wilmslow
START: Redes Mere. Layby on Redesmere Lane off A34, beyond Capesthorne Hall, signed Henbury Grid ref: SJ848713 Postcode: SK119JR
DISTANCE: 4.5 miles
GRADE: Easy, but one muddy spot
TIME: 2.5 hours
MAP: Explorer - Wilmslow & Macclesfield Landranger 118
NOTE: Don't forget binoculars and duck food
REFRESHMENTS: Pack a flask
EN ROUTE: Fanshawe, Henshaw, Hazelwall
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News