Cheshire is an affluent county where the footballer’s wives all apparently live! But outside the main city of Chester (with its beautiful black-and-white Tudor buildings) this is real rural paradise, with some of the best walking terrain nationwide, including the Sandstone Trail. The short section of coast around the Wirral Peninsula is important habitat for wildlife.
This county is home to many nature reserves, plus areas of conservation such as the South Pennine Moors are nearby (Goyt Valley is important for migrating birds). The county is also home to protected species like great crested newts, bats and water voles. Find more ways to help your local wildlife rescue and animal shelter.
The city of Chester is the most preserved walled city in England, renowned for its beautiful Tudor buildings. The Rows (covered walkway) dates from the 13th century and is unique in the entire world. And the 1208 law to prevent alternative markets being offered stopped Tesco holding a sale in 2014!
Chester High Street, Peter Day
Cheshire is known as the home of ‘footballers and their wives’, with many living in the ‘golden triangle’ of Alderley Edge, Prestbury (a former priest settlement) and Wilmslow – all are as expensive as London. Nearby are wonderful views of the Cheshire Plain. The area not all wealthy, as the local church offers a food bank for those unable to buy provisions.
Guide to Cheshire Pub Walks is a pocket size walking guides with 20 circular walks covering the best of this beautiful landscape. If walking with pooches, see the post of tips for safe dog walks. Highlights include:
- Wooded heathland (Thurstaston Common)
- Dee Water Meadows (on Welsh border)
- Broxton & Maiden Castle (Peckforton Hills)
- Helsby HIll (views of Mersey Estuary)
- Two waterways (Acton Bridge)
- The unusual brinefields of Warmingham
- Half-timbered buildings (Plumley, Holford Hall)
- Old Mill Buildings (River Bollin at Styal)
- Medieval churches (Marton, Bunbury, Tarvin, Chadkirk)
- Monuments of Industrial Age (High Land)
