Distance 4 miles (6.4km)
Classification Easy
Duration 2 hours
Begins Clock tower, Dunham Massey
OS grid reference SJ735874

Walk in a nutshell
Enjoy the woodland glades, the deer park, the gardens and the house on this pleasant stroll around the Dunham Massey estate, the full extent of which lies inside Greater Manchester. The terrain is very easy, on the whole, but be aware that recent rain leaves patches of the ground quite marshy. Deer roam throughout the park, so dogs must be kept on a lead.

Why it's special
Less than an hour after boarding a train at Manchester Piccadilly station, you can be standing in a secluded patch of woodland surrounded by grazing fallow deer. With its beautiful old trees, astonishing silver collection, croquet lawn and chickens (which you can play on and feed respectively), Dunham Massey represents a quick and total escape from city life.

Keep your eyes peeled for
The deer barn in the grounds is believed to have been built in 1740 as a place to store the herd's winter feed. Even now the remnants of the original hay racks can be seen. Meanwhile, in Dunham Massey Hall, you'll find a series of paintings by John Harris, showing a bird's-eye view of how the park would have looked in the 18th century. Outside, the ancient trees provide a habitat for several rare insect species, including the cobweb beetle, and many bats, such as the noctule, that like to eat them.

Recover afterwards
The Stables restaurant in, of all places, the hall's stable block, serves snacks, drinks and cakes, and seasonal hot and cold meals, which ought to cover most people's recovery needs. Otherwise, The Rope and Anchor is an excellent, but not particularly cheap, modern gastropub barely 15 minutes' walk around the corner.

If it's tipping down
The best alternatives are probably back in Manchester. There's the Imperial War Museum North, a stunning Daniel Libeskind building housing a diverse collection of artefacts that illuminate the history of conflict (). Or there's the Manchester Museum (), home to an assortment of stuffed and live animals, as well as many ancient objects of interest.

How to get there
Altrincham train and tram station is about 3 miles from Dunham Massey. From Altrincham bus station, take the number 5 to the main gates of Dunham Massey.

Step by step

1 From the clock tower facing away from the cobbled area, walk down the grass bank towards the wall and turn left at the tarmac drive.

2 Follow the drive round the corner and up the slope, passing the 16th-century watermill on your left.

3 At the first path on the right, turn right on to Langham Grove, the grass avenue. Continue to the Stone obelisk.

4 At the obelisk turn left and follow the deer sanctuary log rail barrier. Cross over Farm Walk and follow the deer sanctuary barrier past Island Pool to the Middle (grass) Avenue.

5 Turn right at Middle Avenue and walk towards the metal railings at the top of the park.

6 When you reach the railings, go through the plantation gates on your left.

7 Follow the path all the way to Charcoal Drive turning left at the driveway to head back towards the house.

8 At the end of Charcoal Drive continue to the main entrance of the house.

9 From here you can explore the formal garden and house (entrance fee applies) or turn left and continue back to the clock tower.