Knutsford. 101 



Many pleasant walks lie at the command of the Knuts- 

 ford people. The most interesting in the immediate 

 neighbourhood is through the fields to the site of the 

 old church a place of considerable interest to local 

 antiquaries. Mr Green's work contains many allusions 

 to it, and probably all the particulars that have been 

 preserved. How early was the date of the original 

 building may be judged from the fact of the tower having 

 been rebuilt in the time of Henry VIII. In 1548 it had 

 a peal of bells, and in 1741 the steeple fell to the ground, 

 apparently from old age and decay. The square struc- 

 ture which now stands in the graveyard marks the ancient 

 burial-place of the Leghs of Norbury Booths, who were 

 the patrons of the old chapelry. Three haggard and 

 ghostly relics of what once were noble yew-trees speak 

 for the antiquity of the foundation. 



The view from this spot is wide, for although situated 

 in the middle of a level district, Knutsford stands upon 

 an elevated plateau. Alderley Edge, with the hills be- 

 yond, Rivington Pike, Shuttlings Lowe, Cloud-end, and 

 many other distant objects, are conspicuous, while near 

 at hand are Bowdon tower and Dunham spire. 



Continuing through the fields, Booth Hall, now the 

 residence of James Carlton, Esq., is seen upon the right, 

 and among the trees that form Spring-wood, Booth 

 mere. Descending the slope, we come to a stream, 

 formed by the junction of Marthal brook and another 

 watercourse, the former constituting the boundary of 



