A Guide to the County of Cheshire, Naturally
Chester is often called one of England’s most beautiful cities. This ancient place of striking old walls and black-and-white Tudor buildings (two-storey shopping galleries under covered walkways, found nowhere else in England.
Shops and cafés line both the ground floor and the upper gallery, protected from wind and rain. The timber and stone arches overhead provide shelter in all weathers, and visitors can glimpse original medieval beams, old shopfronts, and exposed brickwork.
Another thing you’ll notice in Chester is the warm orange glow of older buildings, due to local Triassic sandstone, a type of stone quarried nearby for centuries. Builders used this soft yet sturdy rock for much of Chester’s historic heart, from the city walls to the cathedral and local homes.
This stone makes Chester look as if it’s glowing at sunset, especially after rain. It’s not just pretty on the outside. The thick blocks keep interiors cool in summer and hold heat in the colder months, which mattered long before central heating.
Sharing Land More Fairly?
A large amount of Cheshire is owned by the Duke of Westminster, including Eaton Hall. Who despite being born with ‘the longest silver spoon anyone could have’ is at least using some of his wealth to help the less fortunate in society.
However there are calls for him to ban hunting on estates he owns (one creature was actually killed in someone’s garden, after the hunt pursued it onto private land)
Read more on why England could share land more fairly.
The Main Cheshire Towns
- Crewe was once a small village, until the Grand Junction Railway was built in the 1830s. The town grew up around the railways, all the houses, shops and schools shaped by the train industry.
- Nantwich feels like a walk through the pages of history. Black-and-white timbered buildings line its streets, dating back to the days after a great fire in 1583. The town’s medieval charm is made even richer by a lively food and festival scene.
- Warrington sits at the heart of modern Cheshire, linking Liverpool, Manchester, and the wider North West. Once a quiet crossing on the River Mersey, it grew rapidly with canals, railways, and industry.
Walking the Sandstone Trail (Shropshire & Cheshire)
Sandstone Trail is a popular long-distance walking trail in north west England. The 34 mile route takes in both counties’ beautiful countryside: a forest, two castles, ancient churches and many canals and caves.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
The walk takes 2 to 3 days (depending on how fit you are). Or you can just break things up with small circular walks, if you don’t want to walk the whole route.
The sandstone is 225 million years old (from the Triassic period).
The walk begins in Frodsham, a north Cheshire market town that’s just 9 miles east of the Tudor city of Chester. There’s a railway station here, if you’re not driving.
The walk ends in Whitchurch, another market town, this time in north Shropshire. It houses beautiful Georgian buildings and ancient inns, and is known for its town clocks.
Wear well-worn vegan walking boots and bring a waterproof, as the trail can get muddy in places, especially after rain. Carry enough water, snacks, and a map or GPS – though waymarking is good.
Public transport links at both ends make point-to-point walking easy, and local taxi firms can help with transfers for circular or sectional walks.
Cheshire’s Coastline and the Irish Sea
Although known for its leafy centre, Cheshire edges out to the Irish Sea, offering its own mix of wild coast and seaside industry. Highlights include the Dee Estuary (vital for birds and wildlife) and the small towns of Neston and Parkgate, offering salt marsh views and fresh air.
Read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
