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Until the 1930s, Poynton was a coal mining village and over the years, the old tramways and mineral lines to the pits have been developed by the Groundwork Trust into attractive walkways.
The old centre of the village has a solid feel with rows of former miner’s cottages around a four-branched lamp-post which once doubles as a drinking fountain with water going into different troughs – one for people, one for horses, and a little one for dogs.
Just to the east of the village is the MIDDLEWOOD WAY which follows the track bed of the former Macclesfield and Marple railway line which was closed in 1970 and sold by British Railways for £1 to be converted. You can still take a train ride in Poynton though. BROOKSIDE GARDEN CENTRE has built a miniature railway complete with a station, signals and a collection of railway relics.
The MACCLESFIELD CANAL is close by and was the last of the inland waterways to be built in England. It was surveyed by Telford and opened in 1831. The canal runs from Red Bull near Kidsgrove to join the Peak Forest Canal at Marple.
The unusual ANSON ENGINE MUSEUM used to be one of the best kept secrets among Cheshire's many attractions. Over the past few years it has undergone some major changes and is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialist museums. The museum is on the site of the old Anson Colliery at Higher Poynton. Engine enthusiasts from all over the world come to visit this fascinating museum, but it is increasingly becoming a "must visit" attraction for non-enthusiasts too. |
