Tegg's Nose Country Park
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Macclesfield
What it’s like
Quarry climbing and abseiling, a geology trail, and a dragonfly letter hunt for younger walkers, on the hills above Macclesfield.
The quarry is the bit that gets talked about: there's a fixed belay rail for climbing and abseiling, so it's a proper hands-on activity rather than just a viewpoint you photograph and leave. The climbing wall runs a booking system because space is limited, which is a faff if you turn up hoping to just have a go, but it means you're not queuing behind a school group either.
For a family walk, the Tegg's Nose Rocks! geology trail is about 2 miles and takes roughly an hour, longer if your kids stop to poke at every rock formation, which they will. Younger children have their own version of the day in the shape of a letter hunt following Danny the Dragonfly around the trails, and there are armchair walks with audio guides if you want the story of the landscape without doing all the legwork yourselves. Orienteering maps are £1.75 from the ranger or the tea room, and the permanent course markers mean you can turn a walk into a proper challenge without any extra kit.
There's a coffee shop, Nose Coffee, open every day, and picnic benches in the main car park if you'd rather bring your own (fires and barbecues aren't allowed, so don't bother packing the disposable grill). Parking is pay and display, free for the first half hour then scaling up through the day, and the machine won't give change so you'll want exact coins or a card ready. Blue badge holders park free, and there's an accessible toilet on site, though you'll need a RADAR key for it.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Pay and display 10am-10pm: free up to 30 mins, £1.80 one hour, £3 1-3 hours, £4.30 3-10 hours
- Picnics
- Allowed at picnic benches in main car park
- The pay and display machine doesn't give change, so bring exact coins or use card or contactless
- Orienteering maps are £1.75, available from the ranger or the tea room
- An annual permit (£52) also covers Nelson Pit Visitor Centre and Brereton Heath
- No overnight parking at the car park
Plan your visit
How long does the main trail take?
The Tegg's Nose Rocks! geology trail is about 2 miles and takes roughly an hour, longer if you stop to look at things properly.
Do we need to book the climbing?
Yes, the climbing wall runs a booking system because space in the quarry is limited.
How much is parking?
It's free for the first 30 minutes, then £1.80 for an hour, £3 for up to 3 hours and £4.30 for up to 10 hours. Blue badge holders park free.
Can we bring a picnic?
Picnic benches are set up in the main car park. Fires and barbecues aren't allowed anywhere in the park.
Is there anything for younger children?
There's a letter hunt for younger visitors called Danny the Dragonfly, plus armchair walks with audio guides if a full hike is too much.
Is there food on site?
Nose Coffee coffee shop is open seven days a week, mornings through mid afternoon.
What about the toilets?
Public toilets are open 7am to 7pm daily, and there's an accessible toilet that needs a RADAR key.
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