Early listings
Wincle was not listed in Domesday, but in 12 91 there was a settlement known as Wynkehull or “Wineca’s Hill”.

The Dane Bridge
The road over the river crossing through the hamlet was a major medieval route between Leek and Macclesfield. A crossing at Danebridge was first recorded around 1190 when it was known as Scliderford, meaning slippery ford. By 1357 a bridge had been built which by 1545 was known as Sliderford bridge. In the early 17th century it was rebuilt once more as a stone bridge of two arches but was to be washed away by a flood in 1631. It was replaced the following year by a single arch bride. The present single arch bridge is dated 1869, funded by the counties of Staffordshire and Cheshire to the tune of £1,000 each, with the land and materials donated by Mr. Brocklehurst of Swythamley Hall.

Wincle Grange
Wincle Grange, built from the local red sandstone grit, was originally constructed by the monks of Combermere near Nantwich around 1400.

Wincle was then a manor belonging to Hugh de Malbanc, the founder of the abbey. It is referred to in the original charter of the abbey and also in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas as follows: ‘Item habet apud Wynkehall, in dec de Macclesfild duas caruc terr. Et val. Car. Per annum, 10s.”

The grange was considerably altered in 1670, but retains many of its original features such as window tracery, mouldings and embattlements.

The Hollow Way
Wincle lies in the path of the ancient Hollow Way, used by the monks of Dieulacresse Abbey near Leek to carry wool by packhorse to market in Macclesfield and beyond.

Passing over Gun Hill, by Bearda Hill, past Swythamley Hall to Danebridge, Wincle Grange and Clulow Cross, this road was major commercial route between Leek and Macclesfield for the transportation of salt and iron from the Peak.

The name is very apt – parts of the Hollow Way have indeed been hollowed out by the countless hooves and feet that passed over it and now lie sunken between the avenues of trees that mark the route.

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