What is Tegg's Nose:
Well, Tegg's Nose is definitely not a statue of a nose built by a guy named Tegg, that's for sure. It is rather a Country Park in Cheshire, England. Tegg's Nose Country Park is located just outside of Macclesfield at the Western corner of the Peak District. The peak of the park is 380m high and overlooks Macclesfield Forest and all the surrounding farming area, including two reservoirs in the country park. Tegg's is a popular destination for walking, horse-riding, and cycling.
Many of the walking trails were old packhorse routes built for travel and transportation via horseback. Tegg's is a historical site with an old quarry and machinery to visit. It has signboards at various locations explaining the history of the park and the feature in front of you. You can visit Tegg's year-round for walking, sledding or even just a cup of tea with a nice view at the local tea room.
Views of the Teggsnose Reservoir
Where is Tegg's Nose and how to get there?
Driving to Tegg's
The easiest way to get to Tegg's is via car. If traveling from Macclesfield, you follow the A537 (Buxton New Road) east towards Buxton for a short distance before forking right onto Buxton Old Road. Tegg's Country Park entrance and tea shop is located along Buxton Old Road. If traveling from Buxton you travel the same route in the opposite direction, starting on the A53, forking right onto to the A537 (Buxton New Road) towards Macclesfield and later turning left onto Buxton Old Road where Tegg's is located. There is a parking lot outside the tea room with paid parking for visitors.
Public Transportation
If you are taking public transportation to Tegg's, be prepared to walk along busy narrow farm roads. There is a bus that links Macclesfield and Buxton. The bus is number 58, departing from Macclesfield Bus station and Buxton Bus station. The A537 (Buxton New Road) and Buxton Old Road (Where Tegg's is located) intersect at two locations. When bussing you want to get off the bus at the easternmost fork of Buxton New and Old roads. When you get off the bus you will be on Buxton New Road, you need to walk from here onto Buxton Old Road and continue along until you reach Tegg's.
Walking to Tegg's
Another option is simply walking from Macclesfield to Tegg's. This is definitely not the safest option but it is the cheapest! You walk the same route as you would drive, along Buxton Old Road. The walk from Macclesfield takes roughly an hour including the time needed to step off the road and go bush diving every time a car comes whizzing past.
When I went to Tegg's I caught the bus from Macclesfield to the eastern fork of the Buxton roads. I walked to Tegg's and explored the park for two hours before walking back to Macclesfield along Buxton Old Road. The total trip took about 4 hours.
Tegg's Nose Country Park
Walking in Tegg's Nose Country Park
Trail walking in Tegg's is easy to navigate for the most part. The trails are all marked even when passing through farm property. Trail markers are located at every intersection where the trail changes direction. Trail markers are not located every 100m on long straight stretches. There are many footpaths to follow within Tegg's.
Tegg's Nose Trail Markers
Saddlers Way is a beautiful old horse packing route that takes you down into the valley. Once down in the Valley, you can follow public footpaths through many sheep fields and over fences.
Saddler's Way Trail
How Long to walk in Tegg's Nose?
The big loop around Tegg's starts off down the Saddlers way, onto farm roads in the valley which follow a river all the way to the Teggsnose Reservoir. You will walk over a bridge between the two reservoirs and must turn right to head north in order to stay in Tegg's. Once at the reservoir you can follow a section of the Gritstone Trail back up the Tegg's Nose lookout. The Gritstone trail extends much further North and South of Tegg's, you only follow the trail back up to the Tegg's quarry. There are several small trails leading to higher lookout points on the hill. You can see the old quarry site including a stone cutter and other old machinery by the exposed rock strata. You can also partake in a pre-booked rock-climbing guided tour at the old quarry site. The entire loop took me close to two hours including very many photo stops and viewpoint detours along the way.
Rock's cut by the old quarry rock saw
What animals are in Tegg's
Farm animals in Tegg's
In the park, you will see hundreds, if not thousands of sheep covering the fields all around you. If you happen to walk Tegg's in the Spring, you will also see all the new baby lambs stumbling around after their mothers. You are allowed in the sheep fields only when it is marked as a public footpath. A hint is when there is a stone or wooden foot step over a fence, it is for public access.
Some months of the year there will also be cattle let loose in Tegg's near the lookout. Do not be alarmed when you turn around and see a massive pair of horns pointing right at you. The cattle are used to people walking through the fields around them.
Cow's in Tegg's
Can I walk my dog in Tegg's?
Yes, absolutely! Tegg's is a dog-friendly park. At the base of the Saddlers Way, there is space for dogs to run along the river. Dogs must be leashed when you enter animal enclosures, for both the animals and your dog’s safety.
When to visit Tegg's?
I went to Tegg's in the spring, which is when I would recommend going. Spring allows for the sights of new animal life, including the lambs. In spring you will see the most wildflowers in the park, hundreds of Harebells, Birdsfoot, Daisy’s and more. If you are visiting Tegg's in the Winter, make sure to take a sled to enjoy the snow! Overall the park will be beautiful all year round but prepare for different weather and sights depending on the season.
Spring in the Tegg's Valley
Tegg's Nose tea room
Tegg's Tea room is located at the entrance to Tegg's park along Buxton Old Road. The tea room is a small shop with beautiful decorations and furniture inside. You can order a variety of teas and other hot beverages, as well as baked snacks, cakes, cupcakes, salads, and even sandwiches. There are lots of parking outside the tea shop for both the walkers and the tea drinkers. Be advised that the parking is pay parking! You can order items to go from the shop to take with you on a walk and enjoy sitting on one of the several park benches.
Tea time at the Tegg's Nose Tea Room
For more information, you can visit the Tegg's Nose Tea Room Facebook Page or the Tegg's Nose Country Park webpage.