Route Review: Dunham Massey from Altrincham

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Route Review: Dunham Massey from Altrincham

By Hilary Pullen

Published on January 26, 2026 4 min read

Dunham Massey Walk from Altrincham

I recently had the pleasure of walking a lovely Altrincham to Dunham Massey circular route with Dr Andrew Read, author of the new Greater Manchester Outstanding Circular Walks book. The book features 28 beautifully curated routes across Greater Manchester, and living just an hour outside the city, I was eager to try one for myself, and even more excited to walk it alongside the person who designed it.

We met at the Altrincham Interchange, an easy starting point thanks to its excellent bus, tram and train connections, and set off on a three‑hour circuit that beautifully demonstrates Andrew’s thoughtful approach to route design.

From the very first steps out of town, Andrew explained how he always aims to guide walkers away from busy main roads and instead thread them through interesting cut‑throughs, historic buildings and small paths that offer character and calm even in urban areas.

That philosophy came through immediately: leafy passageways, quiet residential pockets and snippets of local history made the early stages feel warm and inviting rather than rushed or urban.

Before long, we joined a peaceful stretch of canal, a gentle and scenic lead‑in to the highlight of the walk, Dunham Massey. Entering the estate feels like stepping into another world.

The woodland was serene, dotted with ponds brimming with birdlife, and within minutes we were surrounded by deer, dozens upon dozens, quietly grazing among ancient trees.

Seeing so many deer like this is the kind of moment that makes you stop in your tracks, and one of the reasons this route feels so special.

Dunham Massey – National Trust – you have to pay to enter the house and gardens but this walk takes you through the parkland at the rear which is free to access.

There’s a café and facilities on the estate, and we took the opportunity to get a coffee before continuing through the park land and then across the road onto a leafy section of golf course, eventually looping back toward Altrincham. The final stretch brought us right back into the buzz of the town centre, which is full of cafés and places to refuel post‑walk, making it a wonderfully convenient circular route.

One of the most fascinating aspects of walking with Andrew was hearing how precision plays such a huge role in the creation of an OS Pathfinder Guide. Working to a tight word count means every instruction must be both accurate and concise, no wasted words, no ambiguity.

As he described the process, it became clear how much thought goes into each turn, viewpoint and phrase. It’s exactly what makes the OS Pathfinder Guides so user‑friendly: you can open the book, glance at the instructions, and know immediately what to do next without sifting through dense text. They’re guides written by people who truly understand how walkers use them.

In a lovely twist of timing, we passed two groups of walkers using the OS Cheshire Guidebook which also has a great Dunham Massey route. They were thrilled to meet Andrew and have an early peek at the new book. It quickly became clear it’s one they’ll be adding to their collections (and you should too!).

Overall, this Altrincham to Dunham Massey route is a wonderful blend of convenience, history, nature and ease, starting in a lively town, slipping quickly into green corridors, and opening out into one of Greater Manchester’s most impressive estates. For anyone wanting a walk that offers variety, tranquillity and a real sense of escape without travelling far, it’s a perfect choice.

If you’re interested in walking this route and exploring all 28 of the curated walks in the Greater Manchester Outstanding Circular Walks guide click the link below to order your copy – postage is free!

The new Greater Manchester Pathfinder Walking Guidebook brings together 28 hand‑picked routes curated by local walking expert Dr Andrew Read, showcasing everything from moorland edges and peaceful wetlands to canal towpaths, river valleys and historic parkland.

Designed for walkers of all abilities, the guide is split into shorter routes, half‑day outings and full day adventures, all ranging from 3 to 11 miles and fully reachable by public transport.

BUY THE BOOK

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By Hilary Pullen

Meet Hilary, Editor of OS Maps Discover. Hilary is based in North Wales and loves hiking with her dogs in the mountains of Eryri and Bryniau Clwyd, you can find her on Instagram @nearlyuphill and read her guides to walking in North Wales.

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