Knutsford and a ramble through Tatton Park on a Wednesday
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Free for a walk midweek? Join us for a leisurely Wednesday walk from Knutsford through Tatton Park! This is a circular walk of around 6 miles / 9.5 kilometres, with around 70 metres of ascent. We’ll stop for refreshments at the Tatton courtyard café (you can bring your own lunch) and take an (optional) walk through the gardens of Tatton Hall - for which there’s an entrance charge of £10, unless you’re a member of the National Trust or the Royal Horticultural Society.
Tradition links Knutsford with King Canute (995-1035) who is supposed to have forded a wide stream there in 1016, giving the town its name. This may or may not be true but the town certainly had a reputation in later centuries for cock fighting and horse racing. It’s now a quiet, affluent small town, easily accessible by train from Manchester, and is a good starting point for a walk through nearby Tatton Park.
Tatton Park is a historic estate with mansion, gardens and landscaped park with a herd of red deer. It is an attractive landscape for a leisurely walk and the courtyard café provides a good stopping place at the half-way point. Originally the home of the Stanley family, it's now owned and cared for by the National Trust.
The walk starts and finishes in the centre of Knutsford, so is easily accessible by train from Manchester and elsewhere.
If the event is fully booked: join the wait list if you really want to go on this walk, as people frequently drop out during the week before an event and you are likely to get a place.
Dogs: well-behaved dogs are welcome on the walk, but must be under control at all times and on a lead when walking through fields with livestock or where wildlife may be disturbed. We are likely to encounter a lot of other dogs on this walk - it's popular dog-walking territory!
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
Photo credits: photos by the event leader with permission given to OutdoorLads for their use.
What to bring
The right kit makes a good day out more likely, despite the weather:
Boots: your most important piece of kit: comfortable, waterproof, breathable and designed for hiking. Trainers may be ok, depending on how rough the ground is and if it's dry. Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters. Gaiters: you might want these for wet weather or boggy conditions.
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and to body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt), a mid layer (micro-fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (windproof jacket or thick fleece). Trousers: avoid jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, and take ages to dry out. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry more quickly. On warm days shorts may be ok.
Waterproof jacket: carry one in your rucksack when walking in all but the calmest of weather. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Hat or cap: useful for staying warm in winter and shaded in summer. Gloves: essential in winter and ideally waterproof.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, this should be comfortable to wear and allow you to move your arms freely.
Sunglasses: for sunny days, even in winter. Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days.
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated. Snacks: a range of biscuits, energy bars, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit (for example) are always good to have. Put them in your rucksack where they are easy to grab.
Water and other fluid: bring between one and two litres, depending on season of the year and temperature. A combination of water, fruit juice, energy drinks and a hot drink (in cooler weather) is recommended.
Medicines: essential if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments, etc. A personal first aid kit with hand sanitiser, bandages and paracetamol or ibuprofen (for personal use only) is a good idea.
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch, snacks for along the way and sufficient fluids (hot or cold) to drink during the walk. A hot drink is recommended in cooler weather.
There's a café in the stables courtyard at Tatton Hall. It has indoor and outdoor seating (where you can eat a packed lunch). There will be the opportunity to go for a drink in Knutsford at the end of the walk.