Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
3 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
3 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
4 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
6 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Macclesfield 108 Steps

108 Steps

Local legend holds that if you can make it up this steep cobblestone stairway without taking a breath, you'll have wish come true.

Macclesfield, England

Added By
David Stephenson
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

This Place Is a Stub

Help improve this place with additional information or photos.

Make an Edit

About

On the western moors of the Peak District, Macclesfield has a pretty cobblestone town center on a sharp hillside. Leading up from the train station to St. Michael’s Church and the Market Place is a winding, scenic stairway that has become a local landmark. Local legend holds that if you run up all 108 steps without taking a breath, you'll have a wish come true.

The 108 Steps have followed this route since the 17th century at the latest, and the cobblestones were relaid in 2014 after a campaign by residents. The stairway is lined with bricky walls and takes you past some fine old houses. Once you’ve negotiated the steps, you'll be rewarded with the sight of a Georgian Neoclassical town hall and a medieval church.

Related Tags

Landmarks Local History Stairs

Community Contributors

Added By

DMStephenson

Published

February 14, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/nostalgia-take-a-step-into-history-of-macclesfield-town/
108 Steps
The Old Millstone Inn
Macclesfield, England
United Kingdom
53.259963, -2.123672
Get Directions

Nearby Places

White Nancy

Bollington, England

miles away

Alderley Edge Mines

Nether Alderley, England

miles away

Lud's Church

Staffordshire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Macclesfield

Macclesfield

England

Places 2

Nearby Places

White Nancy

Bollington, England

miles away

Alderley Edge Mines

Nether Alderley, England

miles away

Lud's Church

Staffordshire, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Macclesfield

Macclesfield

England

Places 2

Related Places

  • The allegedly haunted temple staircase.

    Ichikawa, Japan

    Namida-ishi

    A single block in this stone staircase to the temple is mysteriously always wet.

  • Spanish Steps

    Washington, D.C.

    Spanish Steps

    A terrace reminiscent of Rome's Spanish Steps is tucked away in a little park in Washington, D.C.

  • Summertime Mooses

    Hatfield, Pennsylvania

    The Hatfield Moose Family

    This family of wooden moose statues have become local celebrities in their hometown.

  • The last surviving semaphore tower.

    Cobham, England

    Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower

    This five-story sentinel is the sole surviving semaphore tower in Britain.

  • View of The Great South Wall from Dublin Bay.

    Dublin, Ireland

    The Great South Wall

    The Dublin sea wall draws walkers, photographers, and fishing enthusiasts.

  • Walking into the Oxford is like stepping back in time.

    Denver, Colorado

    The Cruise Room Bar

    This swanky speakeasy is Denver’s oldest bar—and hasn’t changed a bit since 1933.

    Sponsored by Visit Denver
  • Even at almost a century old, the Cyclone’s size is impressive.

    Brooklyn, New York

    The Cyclone

    A wooden rollercoaster that still delivers a thrill.

  • The Lytham St. Annes Spitfire.

    Lytham, England

    Lytham St Annes Spitfire Memorial

    During World War II, locals rallied together to buy this plane to support the war effort.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.