During the Civil War a Royalist Army officer visited Colonel Bradshaw's daughter at Marple Hall. He was carrying despatches for the King, but the girl - probably out of loyalty to her dad, a staunch Parliamentarian - arranged for an accident to the documents while crossing the River Goyt. Alas her lover was drowned as well and Miss Bradshaw was so mad with grief that her ghost still haunts this spot. Now there is a bridge, but as you stroll beside the fast-flowing torrent, keep a lookout for any lonely looking ladies - they're probably walkers who've got lost!
LOCATION: Marple, four miles east of Stockport
START: A626, car park by Rose Hill Station on Railway Rd
Grid ref: SJ950887 Postcode: SK6 6ED
DISTANCE: 4.5 miles
GRADE: Moderate
TIME: 2 hours
MAP: Explorer - Wilmslow, Macclesfield, plus small bit on Explorer - OL Dark Peak Landranger 109
REFRESHMENTS: Hare & Hounds, Wyevale Garden Centre
EN ROUTE: Cown Edge Way
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News