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Picture the perfect autumn walk in your mind and it probably includes the following: colourful leaves, paths strewn with conkers or acorns, bright sunshine but with a slight chill in the air, all accompanied with a hot drink and a tasty treat.

I managed to find all the above - plus a rather quirky tearoom - at the National Trust park at Alderley Edge . Located on the outskirts of the Cheshire village, the park features beautiful woodland and eye-catching sandstone outcrops.

Yet despite its rural appearances today, this was once an area of bustling mining activity, with evidence showing it dating back more than 4,000 years. In fact it is the oldest known metal-mining site in England.

Alderley Edge is also a place steeped in legend, and is supposedly home to a wizard wh

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