Marple, a town on the edge of Stockport looking towards the Peak District, offers some of Greater Manchester's best autumnal walks, with canal paths, historic landmarks and a range of pubs and cafes to stop off at along the way.
The trees are rapidly changing with canopies in shades of bright red, orange and yellow, while conkers are starting to form a carpet on the ground. The adjustment from summer to autumn can be stark, and temperatures in Greater Manchester are set to plunge as low as 6C in the coming days, according to Met Office weather maps. The Met Office's long-range forecast, covering October 9 to 18, also warns of a "changeable period" of weather.
Canals and countryside on Stockport's doorstep
Marple sits around four miles from the centre of Stockport and is known by some as the "jewel of the Cheshire Alps". Its main draws are the stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the canals running through it. The Peak Forest Canal runs through Marple, connecting Dukinfield to the Bugsworth Basin and Whaley Bridge, and features the famous Marple Lock Flight - a steep 16-lock flight that drops or raises boats by over 210 feet.
A walk along here is peaceful and usually not that busy, despite the beautiful scenery. A fairly accessible route starts in the centre of Marple, follows the locks down, and loops back around after briefly taking a look at the historic stone Marple Aqueduct. Designed by Benjamin Outram, it is the tallest masonry canal aqueduct in England.
Pubs, parks and history along the way
The aqueduct stands next to a railway bridge, making it a great spot for dramatic photos of the two bridges. Carrying on along the canal leads to the village of Romiley, which has plenty of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants. There are also numerous picnic spots, and alternative routes drop down to Brabyns Park or further up to Etherow Country Park.
The area is also home to the Roman Lakes, a former industrial site that today features peaceful waters, walking trails, and a tea room by the water's edge. Nearby Marple Bridge offers shops, cafes, bakeries and pubs, including Fold, The Norfolk Arms, The Midland Hotel and Libby's Bread & Wine.
Back towards the centre of Marple, the Ring O' Bells pub sits just up on the main road, a 200-year-old traditional pub overlooking the Macclesfield Canal towpath with open fires for autumn and winter. Bulls Head along the main shopping street is a family and dog friendly Robinsons Brewery venue serving sharing fries, burgers, tacos, wraps, salads and stonebaked pizzas.
