How often is it that we hanker after the exotic and exciting promised by far flung destinations, whilst not appreciating the beauty and wonders we have locally?

This is not called our 'green and pleasant land' for nothing, and some of its finest examples are right here in Maccesfield.

Discover Tegg’s Nose Country Park and experience Cheshire’s wild hill country. A dramatic rocky landscape, steep sided valleys and hill tops pitted with old quarries. It offers exhilarating views over the Cheshire Plain, where on a clear day, you can see Liverpool’s cathedrals and the Welsh hills beyond.

A Walk to the Forest is an 11km/7 mile circular walk from Tegg's Nose Country Park through Macclesfield Forest. However, if you wish to travel further afield, the park forms part of the Gritstone Trail, a 35 mile walk in total from Disley to Kidsgrove. The whole thing can be covered over two to three days, or as a series of shorter circular walks.

For the experienced mountain biker, Grit and Gears is a challenging route over wild terrain which starts at Tegg's Nose and takes in the bridleway ride to Daneblower Hollow from the Cat and Fiddle, a tremendous descent through the Cumberland Brook valley and the more leisurely pace along Wildboarclough.

Alternatively, Trentabank Reservoir and Nature reserve within Macclesfield Forest offers a starting point for less strenuous walks, as well as providing stunning scenery of natural grasslands and uplands, with the reservoir itself being surrounded mostly by magnificent coniferous plantations. The area is also home to a large number of heron, approximately 22 pairs and the Heronry can easily be viewed from the roadside. There is also a video camera system installed to monitor breeding and nesting activity and this is linked into the Ranger Centre where visitors are able to watch during opening times. The Forest is home to a number of other animals including, badgers, weasels and a herd of red deer, although you may have to be up very early to catch a glimpse of these somewhat elusive creatures.

And then there is, of course, Bollington's beloved White Nancy, built in 1817 to commemorate victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Sitting atop Kerridge Ridge, you can make your way to this local landmark via several routes, none of which place too much of a strain on the less energetic amongst us! And once again the stunning views of our local scenery makes any effort well worthwhile.

Walkers' routes are provided through www.walkingbritain.co.uk and details of these and other local beauty spots can be found at www.discovercheshire.co.uk