The Bollington Walking Festival is back this September, offering nine days of guided walks, sociable events and fresh ways to explore the wonderful countryside on our doorstep.
The 16th festival takes place from Saturday 5 to Sunday 13 September 2026, with an evening launch walk on Friday 4 September. It is a brilliant opportunity to get out into the landscape around Bollington, whether you are looking for an easy local stroll, a leisurely social walk or a more energetic day on the hills.
Something for every kind of walker
The programme includes walks graded from easy to strenuous, alongside special-interest outings and social events. There are short, accessible options as well as longer routes that head farther into the Cheshire countryside and towards the Peak District edge.
Among the varied programme are early-morning White Nancy challenges, countryside and history walks, family-friendly options, canal and park routes, and longer hill days for those wanting a proper test of the legs. There are also activities designed to make the festival more inclusive, including a dementia-friendly walk and a sensory walk with East Cheshire Eye Society.
For many of us, the joy is as much about the shared experience as the mileage: meeting new people, discovering an unfamiliar path and seeing familiar views in a different light. Bollington is a particularly fine place to do all three. From the sweep of the valley beneath White Nancy to lanes, woodland, canal towpaths and open moor, there is a great deal of walking country to enjoy.
Read more: 🥾 Bollington Walking Festival returns this September
Firefighters remain at Macclesfield Forest following a large woodland and grass fire near Hacked Way Lane.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 4.12pm on Tuesday 21 July. Fire engines and specialist resources from across Cheshire attended, supported by Cheshire Police and United Utilities. A United Utilities helicopter also carried out aerial water drops while crews tackled the fire from the ground.
Crews maintained an overnight watch
Firefighters monitored the affected area overnight to ensure the fire did not spread beyond its perimeter.
Because of the difficult terrain, conditions and limited visibility, the incident was reduced to four fire engines overnight. Relief crews maintained a watch and were ready to respond to any flare-ups.
Wildfire specialists were expected to reassess conditions in daylight and continue firefighting operations where required.
Members of the public are being asked not to travel to Macclesfield Forest while emergency services remain at the scene. Staying away protects visitors and firefighters while keeping vital access routes clear for emergency vehicles.
Anyone affected by smoke should remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed until it has cleared.
If your walks take you towards Glossop, Longdendale or the Bleaklow area, please read this before you plan your next outing. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) declared a major incident on the evening of Sunday 12 July 2026, as a large wildfire continues to affect Tintwistle Moor.
What's happening
The fire was first reported on Wednesday 24 June 2026. Crews left the scene on 2 July after more than a week's response, handing responsibility to United Utilities and the Peak District Fire Operations Group to manage remaining hotspots. Firefighters returned on 9 July to support that work, and the fire escalated significantly overnight on 12–13 July due to high winds, prompting the major incident declaration.
As of the most recent DFRS update, the wildfire has affected around 260 hectares (642 acres) of moorland and woodland – an area equivalent to more than 350 football pitches. Five fire engines, two Unimogs, an argocat, a command unit and a water carrier are in attendance, supported by neighbouring fire services and partner agencies including the Peak District Fire Operations Group, United Utilities, Derby Mountain Rescue and Derbyshire Constabulary. Two helicopters are carrying out water drops on hotspots and a drone is providing aerial reconnaissance.
If your walks take you anywhere near the Cat and Fiddle, take note: the A54 Macclesfield Main Road is closing for major roadworks from Monday 27 July 2026. It's good news for the long-term safety of this stretch, but it will change how some of us get to our usual start points over the next few months.
What's happening
Derbyshire County Council is carrying out major improvements to a 2.8km stretch of the A54 – the road we all know as the Cat and Fiddle – between its junction with the A53 (Leek Road) and the A537 at the Cheshire/Derbyshire border. The work will strengthen the earth banks alongside the road, improve drainage, and resurface the carriageway, all to stop the recurring bank collapses and surface water problems that have plagued this route.
Because the work involves major excavation and heavy machinery across the full width of the road, the A54 will be fully closed to through traffic for the duration. Access is being kept open for properties and businesses along the route, but not for general traffic, including anyone hoping to drive through to a walk start point on the other side.
Read more: 🚧 A54 Macclesfield Main Road is closing for major roadworks from Monday 27 July 2026
