Gawsworth

The large parish of Gawsworth is a peaceful corner of rural Cheshire situated between the towns of Macclesfield to the north and Congleton to the south.  High on the Pennine foothills, its eastern boundary lies at a height of 370 metres above sea-level on Gawsworth Common.  Westwards, the parish stretches across undulating hummocky country and extends into the flatter, rural countryside of the Cheshire Plain.

Much of Gawsworth comprises agricultural land, predominantly grass and pasture mainly for dairy cattle along with some sheep.  Dane’s Moss, Site of Special Scientifc Interest, is one of the few remaining lowland peat bogs and is now a nature reserve.  Gawsworth Common provides an area of rough grazing; its scenery verging on the typical moorland scenery of the higher gritstone areas between Macclesfield and Buxton.  The most extensive areas of woodland occur on the Pennine foothills, these being the least suited for cultivation and containing mixed, deciduous species.  Small areas of deciduous woodland can also be found in the steep valleys created by stream erosion and there are also a number of coniferous and deciduous tree plantations.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Township and parish in Macclesfield Hundred (SJ 8869). In 1936 and 1955 parts of the civil parish were transferred to Macclesfield.
Includes the hamlets of Danes Moss, Dighills, Gawsmoor Hill, High Lane, Moss Houses, Shellow, Tidnock, Walkers Heath, Warren, Whitemoor and Woodhouse End.
It is possible that there was a  henge site behind the Fools Nook Public House.  There is an early Bronze Age Beaker Barrow on the other side of the A523 near Woodhouse End. 
www.stonehenge.uklinux.net

Saxon Cross cross, plinth and base remaining, at the junction of Church Lane and Woodhouse Lane.
Population: 697 in 1801, 788 in 1851, 573 in 1901 and 1093 in 1951 and approx. 1800 in 2001
PLACES OF WORSHIP
St. James, Church of England, Church Lane, Gawsworth
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Congleton Road, Gawsworth

SCHOOL

Gawsworth Primary School, Longbutts Lane, Gawsworth, Macclesfield
Head Teacher - Mrs P Childs
http://www.gawsworth.school.cheshire.org.uk/

SITES OF INTEREST

Gawsworth Hall, Church Lane, Gawsworth, Macclesfield, Cheshire SKI URN
Ancient Manor House was the home of Mary Fytton, the supposed ‘Dark Lady’ of Shakespeare’s sonnets.  The house remains a family home, with fine pictures and furniture.  An open air theatre in the grounds encompasses a range of summer entertainment.
http://www.gawsworthhall.com/ 
National Trust Woodland, Maggotty Wood, Maggotty Lane/Church Lane - National Trust Woodland.  Final resting place of  Samuel (Maggotty) Johnson (1691-1773)

SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Danes Moss, Gawsworth, Macclesfield (O.S. Grid Ref: SJ907704) 
12.8ha (31.6 acres). A cut-over, lowland, raised mire SSSI, surrounded by a woodland fringe. Characteristic bog plants include sphagnum mosses, cotton grass and cross-leaved heath. Nine species of dragonfly and damselfly have been recorded on the reserve along with the green hairstreak butterfly.
Access - Open to all. Please keep to the public footpath.
Mount Farm Ponds, Gawsworth, Macclesfield - (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ905698)
0.1ha (0.2 acres) Five small ponds with associated grassland banks. Pond sedge, marsh-bedstraw and marsh cinquefoil can be seen amongst the vegetation rafts on the two southerly ponds.
Access - Restricted. View from road.

GENERAL POINTS OF INTEREST

Bed and breakfast  is available and there are interesting pubs, garden centres, fishing facilities and commercial activities of various kinds in the parish.  There is also a waste disposal site.  The Macclesfield canal runs through part of Gawsworth close to Fools Nook.  Walks along public footpaths and bridleways can be followed using the Parish Paths Map available from the village Post Office Stores in Longbutts Lane.  Ordnance survey maps which cover the area are Sheets SJ 86/96 and SJ 87/97 

Information regarding the parish council can be found at
http://parish.cheshire.gov.uk/gawsworthpc/  or from: