Charming UK village with cute cottages that’s perfect for a festive walk
- UK Hidden Gems
- Dec 28, 2025
- 2 min read
A Boxing Day walk is a much loved festive tradition for many people, with families wrapped up warm, enjoying winter views and wishing each other Merry Christmas along the way.
It is a lovely chance to enjoy the festive feeling before the New Year arrives, while walking past houses decorated with wreaths and glowing fairy lights.
Villages feel extra magical at this time of year, and there is one in Greater Manchester that offers some lovely walks during the festive season.
Marple Bridge is a pretty village set between Stockport and the Peak District, and even though it is close to the city, it feels peaceful and rural.
It is easy to reach by a short train ride, and its stone buildings, waterways and small shops add to its charm.
The village is a beautiful place for a gentle walk, especially at Christmas when houses sparkle with lights and Christmas trees can be seen through cosy windows.
There are plenty of welcoming pubs where you can stop to warm up, and if you step away from the main high street, you will find hidden spots like Low Lea Road, a lovely lane lined with small cottages.
Just a short walk from the centre of the village is Brabyns Park, the largest park in Marple and once part of the Brabyns Hall estate.
It is a perfect place for a relaxed stroll, with open parkland, woodland paths, riverside walks and an eye catching Georgian iron bridge built in 1813 that crosses the River Goyt.
Running alongside Brabyns Park is another walking route that offers something a little different.
Here, you will come across the impressive Marple Locks, a series of 16 canal locks spread over one mile.
If you follow the towpath along this scenic stretch of the Peak Forest Canal, you will reach the stunning Marple Aqueduct, which is the highest aqueduct in England and first opened in 1800. It is a striking sight and a great spot for photos.
Whether you choose a gentle walk around the village, a peaceful stroll through the park or a wander along the canal, or even all three, Marple Bridge is a wonderful place to visit during the festive season.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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