Macclesfield Forest

Macclesfield Forest is a working forest located in the east of Cheshire close to Macclesfield. The forest is owned by United Utilities and has four reservoirs of which two provide drinking water to nearby Macclesfield Town.

The area that makes up the forest was once part of the large Royal Forest of Macclesfield, an area owned by the Earl of Chester that stretched from the Pennines to the Staffordshire Moorlands and the High Peak area near Whaley Bridge.

Explore the woodland by following the way marked paths through the forest which offer great views of the surrounding areas including the Peak District and the Cheshire Plain. Ridgegate and Trentabank are the two reservoirs that were built to provide drinking water, the heronry at Trentabank is a popular bird watching destination with a viewpoint and information board near to the Visitor Centre. Many other wildfowl can be spotted in the forest including grebes, coots and ducks.

Both of the highest points in Cheshire are close by, Shining Tor the highest can be seen from many areas of the forest including the Standing Stone area and Shutlingsloe overlooks the forest and is a great walk with stunning views. The peak of Shutlingsloe is known as the ’Cheshire Matterhorn’ thanks to its shape and resemblance to the famous Matterhorn Mountain in Switzerland.

See the website for all information, dress for the weather with adequate food and water, keep to the way marked paths to preserve the countryside and remember to take your rubbish home with you. There is a pay and display car park at the Visitor Centre near Trentabank Reservoir and another small car park at Standing Stone. There are also other minor car parking areas in lay-bys in the forest.