Top 20 Natural Monuments around Lyme Handley

Cown Edge is a stunning ridge in the Peak District, offering breathtaking views over Derbyshire and Greater Manchester. If you're hiking there, wear sturdy boots—the terrain can be rocky and slippery, especially after rain. For the best experience, visit at sunrise or sunset for dramatic lighting over the moorland.

Cown Edge is a well-known ridge, noted for its stunning views over the surrounding Peak District countryside, and is a popular destination for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its exposed moorland and rocky outcrops provide panoramic views across the Peak District and towards Manchester in the distance. The terrain includes grassy paths, heather moorland, and distinctive gritstone formations that make it a great and interesting spot for hikers. Visiting Cown Edge offers a great opportunity to experience the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Peak District while enjoying a moderate hike with rewarding views. Whether you're interested in a short walk or a longer trek, Cown Edge provides a scenic location with plenty of opportunities for exploration and photography. It's a great choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the peaceful countryside of Derbyshire.

Great and easy hike up to Shining Tor from the Cat & Fiddle Car Park. Good footpath over the peaty ground, quite cool to walk on.

Fantastic panoramic views with contrast between views of Kinder Downfall on one side and the city centre skyline urban sprawl of Manchester on the opposite side.

It's worth the walk up just to tale in the air and the view

The Park itself first of all started off as part of the “Andrews” estate originating in the 1820’s. At the time it incorporated a mine, a cotton mill and the lake. Later on in 1968 it became one of England’s first country parks, and now attracts over a quarter million visitors a year. They come to enjoy the natural beauty of ancient woodland along the river valley; in the foothills of the Peak District National Park. Mr George Andrew originally built the mill and made the man made lake (Canal). He also required a large workforce for the operation of the mill; so George also built a lot of the houses, along with the Church and School. Also a lot of the street names are named after members of the Andrew’s family. Etherow Country Park has steadily grown over the years, and now covers an area of around 200 acres. It lies at the heart of the Etherow-Goyt Valley, this is also the start of The Goyt Way, which is a 10 mile walk to Whaley Bridge. The River Etherow flows through the park which is the source for the lakes and was originally used as a reservoir to power the water wheel; which in turn provided motorized power for the cotton mill. Later on, they used the canal to transport coal for heating and keeping the cotton dry, via a horse drawn canal barge from further downstream. One of the water wheels (Big Lily) that powered the mill would use 50 million gallons of water per day; which would come down the canal and pass through what is now the car park to drive “Big Lilly”

http://www.stockportnaturewatch.co.uk/etherow-country-park

The Park itself first of all started off as part of the “Andrews” estate originating in the 1820’s. At the time it incorporated a mine, a cotton mill and the lake. Later on in 1968 it became one of England’s first country parks, and now attracts over a quarter million visitors a year. They come to enjoy the natural beauty of ancient woodland along the river valley; in the foothills of the Peak District National Park. Mr George Andrew originally built the mill and made the man made lake (Canal). He also required a large workforce for the operation of the mill; so George also built a lot of the houses, along with the Church and School. Also a lot of the street names are named after members of the Andrew’s family. Etherow Country Park has steadily grown over the years, and now covers an area of around 200 acres. It lies at the heart of the Etherow-Goyt Valley, this is also the start of The Goyt Way, which is a 10 mile walk to Whaley Bridge. The River Etherow flows through the park which is the source for the lakes and was originally used as a reservoir to power the water wheel; which in turn provided motorized power for the cotton mill. Later on, they used the canal to transport coal for heating and keeping the cotton dry, via a horse drawn canal barge from further downstream.