VISITING

Barnaby Festival takes place throughout Macclesfield, a market town nestling in the foothills of the Peak District.

Where to Stay

There is limited accommodation in the town centre during festival time, so early booking is recommended. Elsewhere in the town and surrounding countryside, there are a variety of B&Bs, inns, country house hotels and self catering accommodation.

Get details of accomodation from the Visit Cheshire website , visit Macclesfield website, or Macclesfield Visitor Information Centre 01625 378123 (summer opening hours) Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-3pm

Travel to Macclesfield

By Train

Trains run regularly to Macclesfield from Manchester (23 mins), Stockport, Stoke-on-Trent and London (1 hour 40 mins). To book tickets visit The Trainline. For routes and timetables see Traveline or phone 0871 200 2233. The town centre is two minutes walk from the station. Cross the road and walk up past Waters Green chippy then up the cobbled street (Church St) to the Market Place and St Michael’s Church.

By Bus

There are buses into Macclesfield from Buxton and Alderley Edge, as well as the outlying areas. For detailed bus routes and timetables go to Traveline or phone 0871 200 2233. The bus station is in the town centre. When you arrive walk up the hill onto Mill Street, then turn right to head for Market Place, St Michael’s Church area.

By Car

From Manchester

From M60 (anti-clockwise) take A34 (at Junction 3) towards Congleton/Wilmslow. After Alderley Edge take A537 to Macclesfield, then follow signs to town centre.
From M60 (clockwise) A560 at Junction 25 towards Bredbury then A6017 then A627 towards Hazel Grove. In Hazel Grove take A523 to Macclesfield, then follow signs to town centre.

From Buxton

Macclesfield is a 25-min drive from Buxton over the Cat and Fiddle on the A537.

From North (M6)

Leave M6 at Junction 20 and follow signs to Knutsford (A50). Take A537 (left) to Macclesfield (approx 10 miles) then follow signs to town centre.

From South (M6)

Leave M6 at Junction 17 and take A354 to Congleton. In Congleton follow signs for A536 towards Macclesfield (approx 8 miles), then follow signs to town centre.

Find details of Macclesfield car parks here.  The outlying car parks are rarely full and parking is largely free on Sundays.

On Parade Day Sat 17 June 2023 a number of town centre car parks will be free, thanks to Macclesfield Town Council,  but Christ Church\Gt King St will be closed for parade marshalling.

• Duke Street
• Town Hall
• Exchange Street
• Churchill Way
• Park Green
• Sunderland Street
• Waters Green

Share your car or find a lift here!

By Bike

Macclesfield can be reached easily by bike from Bollington, Higher Poynton, High Lane and Marple via the Middlewood Way (map). Other cycle routes in Cheshire can be found here.
There are a small number of cycle racks in the Market Place.

By Canal

The Macclesfield Canal, part of the Cheshire Ring, joins the Peak District Canal at Marple to the north, and the Trent and Mersey Canal at Kidsgrove to the south.  The Macclesfield Canal Centre Brook Street 01625 420042 is a 10-min walk from the town centre.

By Air

Manchester airport is about 30 minutes by car.  Trains change at Manchester and buses via Stockport.