Manchester Airport to Styal Mill (3.3 miles)
This walk starts at the big roundabout on Altrincham Road just before the airport tunnels. You can park your car along the lane up from the Holiday Inn but it does fill up quickly at weekends.
Facing towards the airport tunnels, take the very clearly marked path on the right. The path leads to Styal Mill and has delightful riverside views. A highlight along this path is Giants Castle Bridge.
Once at Quarry Bank you can visit the working mill and Apprentice House which are managed by the National Trust. There is a good restaurant in the Mill and a shop and snack bar in the courtyard. If you fancy a pint, you can take a slight detour to Styal Village to the Ship Inn.
Return to the start of the walk by taking the footpath behind the Mill which gives good views of the River Bollin and the meadow at the back of the mill as well as the Mill Owners House and grounds. Continue to Bank House Farm along a lovely leafy stretch and then back onto Altrincham Road to the start of the walk. It can be very muddy around Bank House Farm in the winter.
