Walking in Cheshire - Introduction

Cheshire

Cheshire, famous for its cheese and happy cats, is tucked in against the Welsh border just below the industrial conurbations of Liverpool and Manchester. It provides a link between the Midlands and England's rugged North West counties and it's location, forming a connecting link to these three regions has led to a rich and eventful history. The landscape too is full of variety and interest, ranging from the gentle pastoral lowlands and peaceful wooded hillsides of the Cheshire Plain in the west, to panoramic heights of purple moorland and wild hills in the east.

Within an area of about 2,000 sq. km. there are endless possibilities for great walks, together with many opportunities to see flourishing local crafts, or visit famous historic towns and villages, Country Houses and beautiful gardens. The landscape of the Cheshire Plain is typically one of dairy farming, Friesian cows grazing contentedly in green pastures, shady woodland and picturesque black and white 'Magpie' houses nestling between the fields. The essential element of water is provided by the gently flowing River Dee as it makes its way, via historic Chester, to the Irish Sea. Scenic variety is provided by sandstone upthrusts such as Alderney Edge with its wooded escarpment and fine views of the Chesire Plain. Similarly Delamere Forest, an old Crown woodland provides splendid trails through Scots and Corsican Pines.

East Cheshire provides a more dramatic contrast to the Plain as the landscape rises towards the gritstone Pennine foothills and rich pasture becomes open hill country with stone walls and upland meadows where sheep graze. The areas around Shutlingslow, often refered to as Cheshire's Matterhorn because of its distinctive profile, and Kettleshulme on the eastern county border, both provide excellent if energetic walking.

The Wirral, a peninsular formed between the River Mersey and River Dee estuaries provides yet another distinctive Cheshire landscape. Here the coastal marshes are an important sanctuary for wildlife and a bracing winter walk will be rewarded with the sight of thousands of wading birds and wildfowl as well as magnificent estuary views.

	Guide Books: [Click for further information or to purchase]
	Walking in Cheshire by Carl Rogers Walking in Cheshire has walks to suit all abilities from short easier routes suitable for families with young children, to day long rambles for the enthusiast. Thirty walks are provided covering most parts of Cheshire. The guide is well illustrated and sketch maps are provided to support the route directions, which are interspersed with information on points of interest printed in italic text.
	Village Walks in Cheshire by James F. Edwards . This guide describes 20 walks varying from 2 to 7 miles based around some of the most attractive and interesting villages and walking locations in the county. Excellent directions and sketch maps are supported by seperate sections describing places of interest and practical information such as parking and availability of food and drink.
	100 Walks in Cheshire An omnibus of local walks covering the whole of Cheshire. The wide choice of routes are spread very evenly across the county, so no matter where you find yourself, a walk in this book will not be far away. The walks vary in length from 2 to 12 miles, the majority being in the 4/6 mile range. They are listed in the contents by length, making it easy to find routes that suit your circumstances. In addition to the route descriptions, details are given of points of interest along the way, places to eat and drink and where to park the car. Sketch maps and route descriptions are on facing pages.
	Merseyside and Wirral - Short Walks by Terry Marsh. One of the Jarrold Short Walks series for all the family. Includes Ordnance Survey Explorer mapping with the route clearly highlighted.There are twenty routes to choose from, colour coded by length and difficulty. Walk locations are: Arrowe Country Park; Burton Wood; Croxteth Country Park; Helsby Hill; Storeton Wood; Brimstage and Thornton Hough; West Kirby; Formby Hills; Irby and Thurstaston Common; Around Heswall; Storeton and Landican; Willaston and the Wirral Way; Willaston; Raven Meols Hills; Frodsham Edge and Overton Hill; Hale and the Mersey; Thurstaston and Caldy; Parkgate; Neston; Blundellsands and Hightown.
	East Cheshire Walks by Graham Beech. In this third edition to a popular guide there are over 250 miles of walks to suit all tastes from easy pasture land ambles to Peak District hikes. Well-tested instructions and simple sketch maps enable the walks to be tackled with complete confidence, while the entertaining background text and clear photographs add to the enjoyment of a day in the countryside
	A Year of Walks in Cheshire by Clive Price. These 12 circular walks, one for each month of the year, visit a range of exceptional locations in Cheshire. You have the option of a full or half-day walk to each spot, whilst the month by month approach encourages you to walk in harmony with the changing seasons, dispelling the perception of walking as an activity suitable only for summer.
	West Cheshire Walks by Jen Darling. This guide covers the area between Warrington and Whitchurch to the north and south, and from Wilmslow to the Wirral east to west. 40 circular walks are included ranging from 2 to eight miles. The walks chosen reflect the great variety of landscape in this part of Cheshire.
	Historic Walks in Cheshire by: Jim Rubery. The guide describes 20 routes, illustrated with OS mapping and colour photographs. The routes are circular, up to 9 miles in length, and range from canal-side strolls to rambles through wilder upland landscapes. All the routes are full of historic interest, combining landscape with architecture and natural beauty with history. The walk locations are: Arley Hall; Beeston Castle; Bramall Hall; Chester; Cholmondeley Castle; Nether Alderly Mill and Hare Hill Gardens; Dunham Massey; Gawsworth Hall; Jodrell Bank; Little Moreton Hall; Lyme Park and Hall; Capesthorne Hall; Marple; Northwich; Peckforton Castle; Stretton Watermill; Tatton Park; Walton Hall; Warrington and the Manchester Ship Canal; Peover Hall.
	Hidden Highways of Cheshire by R J A Dutton. This guide explores some facinating ancient routes in Cheshire including Roman roads, salter's ways and medieval lanes. The guide transforms these delightful walks into enjoyable discoveries of local history, giving the walker a new insight into the countryside. There are 10 walks of between 3 and 8 miles.
	Best Pub Walks in Cheshire by Jen Darling. This book is the definitive guide to real ale rambling. There are 30 brilliant walks covering the whole county and sparkling detailed descriptions of Cheshire's landscape and rural traditions. All the pub and route details have been updated for this new edition.

Tourist Information:

TIC's are located at Chester, Wilmslow, Macclesfield, Congleton TIC information page for contact information

Cheshire County Council Tourism web site

Services and Public Transport:

Cheshire Bus Information line telephone: (01244) 602666

Useful links:

Cheshire Countryside Management Services