About us

We are the Broken Cross Walkers, a group of Walkers, mainly from the Macclesfield area who enjoy getting out in the fresh air and having a good walk, we normally have a walk about every two weeks on a Sunday, mainly local and normally within 15-20 miles of Macclesfield.

On most walks we usually take a warm drink and a snack and occasionally we may have a café or pub lunch if we all decide to treat ourselves on that particular day. Good idea to have walking boots, trainers or strong shoes and carry some waterproofs in case of rain. We don’t mind a bit of rain but we won’t walk if it is torrential. We usually walk around 5 to 7 miles.

We have no membership fee and just a few common sense guidelines that can be found at the bottom of this page

Everybody is welcome on our walks but if you are planning to come along for the first time it would be helpful to let us us know by email or phone so we can expect you.will be made most welcome.

Heading back to Whaley Bridge on a walk last year

Broken Cross Walkers

NEXT WALK ON SUNDAY 25th October

Rushton Spencer and Rudyard Lake

Our next walk will be a seven mile moderate walk starting from the Rushton Spencer car park and following field paths, tracks and quiet country lanes, we head up to Great Hough then along the field paths to Birch Trees Farm and then down past Horton Lodge to Rudyard

(Café and Toilets) where we will stop for our lunch. Afterwards we follow the woodland path through Rea Cliffe Wood and back to the start at Rushton Spencer.

Meet at the Staffordshire Way Car Park adjacent to the Knot Inn Car Park at Rushton Spencer on Sunday 25th October at 10:00am.

Note the earlier start time of 10:00 AM

Also the clocks change this Sunday morning at 2.00 am to 1.00 am so we get an extra hour in bed

The Post Code for the Car Park at the start of the walk is SK11 0QU

Link to map of start of the walk

What3Words address ///polar.packet.curable https://w3w.co/polar.packet.curable

If you need any further information about the walk or help getting to the start point please email me or give me a ring on 0787 944 7285.

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Macclesfield Weather As we normally walk within 20 miles of Macclesfield you can expect similar weather unless we are high in the hills.

Walk report Sunday 11th October - Whaley Bridge, Gowhole and Buxsworth

Fourteen of us set off from Whaley Bridge on a bright morning and followed the towpath northwards to the outskirts of New Mills. We then descended to Carr Meadow Nature Reserve and crossed the River Goyt to Goytside Farm. An easy, level path headed south towards Gowhole, with a coffee break along the way.

After Gowhole, we took an overgrown path along the hillside before passing under a railway bridge. A right turn then led us steeply uphill and across fields to Brierley Green and the Canal Basin at Buxworth. Here we stopped for lunch, making use of the empty benches and tables outside the now vacant Navigation Inn.

After lunch, we continued along the towpath and returned to Whaley Bridge.

Back in Whaley Bridge the group enjoyed refreshments at the Goyt Inn and the Bridge Cafe

It was an excellent seven-mile walk, led by David Preston. The other walkers were Alan S, Wendy, Susan M, Peter F, Puff, Eve, Pauline T, Pauline R, Dave I, Judith, Irene, Anita and Alan B, together with Tilly the dog.

Gallery

A few photos from the walk of 11th October from Whaley Bridge. Click photos to enlarge.

Heading across the fields to Brierley Green

News and Views and Gossip

18/09/2026

I have put two maps of the same route in the gallery, both taken from OS, one is the standard basic map the detailed one is TOPO which is more detailed, opinions would be appreciated.

15/07/2026

As you probably realise I have made a few changes to the layout of this website, as it's a new programme to me I am trying to find what is the best format. I've changed the background colour and added a Gallery, I could also add a guest book but I am still thinking about that.If anyone has any suggestions or comments please let me know.

25/06/2026

David Preston set off on a walking holiday on the Hebridean Way which is a 155 mile route in the Hebrides. The plan is to try and walk half of it this year and maybe come back next year for the remainder. Fitness and health permitting and this could be a bit too much of a challenge.

IT WAS a bit too much !

Anyway I only managed 30 miles as the weather was wild, wet and very windy for most of the time, after 30 miles I decided to reluctantly call it a day and headed for the ferry to get back home. My left ankle had also become painful which has since been diagnosed as Achilles tendiopathy so apart from the weather I don't think I would have been able to complete my intended route. It's a long and complicated journey to get there, left Macclesfield at 10pm Sunday and arrived at Castlebay on Barra at 6.00pm Monday. That was train to Piccadilly, Overnight bus to Glasgow, Train to Oban and Ferry to Barra. Rather tired on arrival but arrived in less than 24 hours instead of two days. Limping a bit at the moment after returning home and according to the Doctor it's Achilles Tendopathy but hopefully after a few weeks rest I will be out again. Meanwhile I will be plotting a return to the Hebridean Way. It is a stunning place. Cannot leave that unfinished.

Many thanks to Dave Ilett for leading the walks while I am away and recovering from my achilles tendon problem.

31/03/2026.

Occasionally I have been asked why when I lead a walk I am not always at the front. My thoughts are that I try to walk with everybody at some time during the walk, if I was constantly at the front I would never get the chance for a chat with all the other walkers.

That's my excuse anyway.......

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You may have noticed the the address for the website begins with a small padlock and starts https. This denotes a secure website.

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Let me know if you would like any additional information added here

A few common sense guidlines for when you are on our walks

Walkers should wear suitable footwear and clothing and carry waterproofs and spare clothing as appropriate to the conditions.

Walkers are requested to ask the permission of the walk leader prior to the walk regarding bringing a dog.

Walkers should walk on paths where available to minimize damage to flora.

Walkers should communicate their intention to take a 'comfort break' so the walk leader is aware.

Walkers should not walk so far in front of the walk leader that makes it difficult for the walk leader to give them advice.

Walkers should use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.

The last walker is responsible for leaving gates as they are found by the walk leader, pass this information to the walker behind.

NEW - While passing through private property walkers at front should wait for the rest of the walkers, so they pass through the farm as a group to avoid disturbing farm workers and animals.

Walkers should be prepared to go at the pace of the slowest in the party however frustrating this may be.

Potential hazards should be communicated from walker to walker.

Walkers should be aware of those in front and those behind.

All rubbish to be taken home.

Walkers should be aware they are responsible for their own safety as accidents can occur for a number of reasons including :~

Carelessness e.g. not looking where one is putting their feet and lack of observation.

Over estimation of your ability to complete the walk.

When walking on a road, members should follow the Highway Code : viz

Where there is a footpath, use it, Walk in single file if possible, especially on narrow roads and in poor light.

Where there is no footpath, walk on the right hand side of the road unless it is unsafe to do so such as on a bend.

Most important of all, enjoy your walk

Contact us at info@brokencrosswalkers.org