The Bollin Valley. 73 



The lower part of the BOLLIN VALLEY is one of the 

 most delightful spots near Manchester. Easily reached, 

 green, flowery, and retired, no one need sigh for "a 

 lodge in some vast wilderness," who will make his way 

 thither on a spring or summer day. Nowhere near 

 Manchester does the season commence so early as 

 upon the sheltered and sunward declivities that extend 

 along the Bollin bank, almost from Ashley to Castle 

 Mill ; nor is there any spot within the compass of an 

 afternoon's ramble that tells more inspiringly on the 

 imagination. This comes not more of the ever-changing 

 and softly-tinted views, the diversified paths, and the 

 plentiful trees, than of the tranquillity and seclusion we 

 always find in this beautiful valley, the only one so near 

 Manchester where nature lives in unmolested originality. 

 Unless in the Isle of Wight, there is no locality in Great 

 Britain where primroses are given more lavishly than 

 about Cotterill. 



There are several modes of approach. The best is 

 from Peel-causeway station, on the Knutsford railway 

 line, near the foot of Sandy Lane, whence we proceed 

 along the road about half a mile, when a broad path 

 strikes over the fields, at an acute angle. The field-path 

 leads into a lane, which must be crossed a few yards 

 above, so as to pass close in front of a white cottage, 

 where there are bee-hives. We then find ourselves 

 upon a green and refreshing hill, Bowclon lying behind. 

 Crossing a deep ravine, we emerge into another lane, 



