Standing like sentinels, the two great monoliths of the Bridestones keep watch over the Cheshire plain. Positioned here to view the sunset they celebrated the goddess Bridgit and fertility rites. Five thousand years ago this was a huge mound, then along came the roadmen and thousands of tons of stone were taken to build turnpike roads, while locals plundered the rock for houses and farms. An engineer from the Manchester Ship Canal even demonstrated a detonator here. But now we value history and Cheshire's only Neolithic tomb is protected as an ancient monument. And if you are lucky enough to have a nice day, it's only a bit more effort to climb to the top of The Cloud for a view over all Cheshire.
LOCATION: 2 miles east of Congleton
START: Timbersbrook car park off Weathercock Lane
Grid ref: SJ895627 Postcode: CW123QA
DISTANCE: 4 or 3 miles
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 1.5 hours
MAP: Explorer - Wilmslow, Macclesfield Landranger 118
REFRESHMENTS: Pack a flask
EN ROUTE: Bosley Cloud
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News