Sandstone Trail Walker’s Guide

A 55km / 34 mile trail from to Whitchurch Walkers’ Guide A 55km/34mile trail from Frodsham to Whitchurch. Stride out along the Sandstone Trail and sample some of the finest walking in . Follow the ridge of sandstone that rises dramatically from the and enjoy this invigorating walk at any time of year. This is rural Cheshire at its best, quiet and sleepy at times yet steeped in history and rich in wildlife. Hill seen from Woodhouse hill Evidence of early settlers abounds in the hill forts and burial mounds along the ridge while the Trail Walking the Trail over 2 or 3 days gives a real crosses a Roman road and meanders through the impression of scale of the county and a sense medieval hunting forest of Mara and Mondrum, of achievement but please don’t rush it, take today well known as . time to soak up the atmosphere and savour the delights of rural Cheshire. The Trail is split The area around Delamere is home to several fruit into six sections in this guide so you can farms which grow many varieties of apples as well combine 2 or 3 sections if you wish. as rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries and other soft fruit. Also included in this guide are 2 circular walks for you to try - one above Frodsham and one The well-wooded Hills stand proud of around Rawhead. the Cheshire Plain with Beeston commanding panoramas of eight counties. The estate woodlands are primarily managed for The Sandstone Trail was one of the first pheasant rearing while , owned by promoted routes in the country, the National Trust, is managed for nature pioneered by Cheshire County Council’s conservation to protect and improve the heathland. Countryside Recreation Department. South of the Hill the land is more suited to The original Trail, opened in 1974, was dairy farming, producing milk for the famous just 16 miles long from Delamere to Cheshire cheese and some fabulous ice cream. . Soon it was extended up to Old St Chad’s Chapel is a real gem while the final Beacon Hill in the north and Grindley section of the Trail takes you along the Llangollen Brook in the south. In the late 1990s Canal, a relaxing and enjoyable walk at any time links were added to Frodsham and of year. Whitchurch to make it more accessible If you’ve not walked the Sandstone Trail before you’re by public transport and so walkers could in for a real treat while if it has been a while we are enjoy some well earned refreshment. sure you will have forgotten how stunning it is.

2 Route Section Frodsham 1 Frodsham 6 M5

A5 Helsby Route Section Kingsley 117 Barnsbridge Gates, Delamere Manley Hatchmere A56 2 Delamere Forest Park

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A49 A49 Mast Bunbury Commission Peckforton National Slopes Trust Broxton A534 Woodland Public House Route Section 5 Bickerton Trust No Man’s A534 Heath Parking Cholmondeley P Refreshments Castle Information Church A4 Sign 1 Picnic Site No Mans 6 Heath Malpas Route Section

A49 A49 Sandstone Trails Whitchurch Circular Trails Footpaths Motorways Major roads Whitchurch Other roads 7 Route Section Minor roads A525 A Jubilee Park 41 Railway Line

Based upon mapping with the permission of the Rivers, Lakes & Canals Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to Woodland prosecution or civil proceedings, Cheshire West and Council: LA 100040296.2009

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Frodsham to Barnsbridge Gates, Delamere 6 Barnsbridge 2. Barnsbridge Gates to John Street, Willington Distance: 4 miles Allow: 2 hours Gat

This section of the Trail is dominated by es t plantation woodland. Barnsbridge Gates o is in the heart of Delamere Forest and is a John favourite place for birdwatching. The route goes over Old Pale, a relatively Str recent acquisition that has been planted eet, up with a mixture of broadleaved and W coniferous trees. Primrosehill Wood is illingt quieter than the main part of the Forest on and home to Urchin’s Kitchen, a magical glade just off the path. Delamere Forest Park is just a small remnant of the ancient hunting forest of Mara & Mondrum, used for hunting by the Earls of Chester and later the King. A cleared area just beyond Barnsbridge Delamere Forest Gates gives a feeling of what the wildwood would have been like when roamed. Today the Forest is managed by Forestry Commission and a short detour from the Trail takes you to Blakemere Moss. The original moss was drained and planted around the turn of the nineteenth century to grow timber for war ships. 200 years later successive trees were felled and the area allowed to re-flood so today it provides a fabulous habitat for birds and some of the special Wild Boar Sculpture by dragonflies found in Delamere including the white Stephen Charnock in Nettleford Wood faced darter. . The A54 itself follows the old If you are feeling energetic it is well worth taking Chester/Tarvin/ turnpike road. the signed detour up to the Old Pale, especially on Travellers would have paid their tolls at the a clear day when the views are spectacular. The cottage at Gresty’s Waste. Forestry Commission purchased just over 137 hectares (338 acres) of land at Old Pale on the Primrosehill Wood is a lovely area with great southern edge of the forest in 2000 and has since views which change as the trees grow and planted it with a mixture of broadleaved and then are felled. Weird and wonderful fungi coniferous trees. appear in the autumn including strange stinkhorns with their distinctive aroma. The Kings Chair, a quarry just to the east of Urchin’s Kitchen, a glacial meltwater channel, Nettleford Wood, is thought to have been the is signed from the Trail. source of stone forVale Royal Abbey, built between 1277 & 1300. Just before the A54 the Trail crosses From Tirley Lane the Trail follows an attractive Watling Street, the Roman road from Chester to sunken lane down to John Street.

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9 Follow the track next to the car park and eet, continue on this over the railway to W

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Nettleford Wood. Continue along the on track down to the A54. There is also a short but scenic alternative route that briefly goes along the side of the Old Pale extension to Delamere Forest, and then drops down again to rejoin the original route through Nettleford Wood. 11 Cross with care. Gresty's Waste car park is just to the left. Go down the steps and cross the brook. Follow the tracks through Primrosehill Wood and then continue through two fields to Summertrees Teashop* at Tirley Lane. * Not open Monday or Friday. 12 Go straight ahead, then bear slightly right and follow the track down to John Street where there is some roadside parking on the verge. In Delamere Forest

Delamere Forest Park Delamere Forest Park comprises over 950 hectares of mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, open and wetlands. It is the largest wooded area in Cheshire and lies within The Mersey Forest. Blakemere Moss has become an excellent habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and is particularly popular with ornithologists. Delamere offers the complete day out for all the family, with a wide range of facilities including bike hire, cafe, shop, Visitor Centre, and Go Ape! Contact: Delamere Visitor Centre t: 01606 882167 e: [email protected]

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John Street to Beeston Castle 12 F r Frodsham Circular odsham C Grade: Moderate

1 i /2 r Distance: 8km/5 miles Time: Allow 2 – 3 hours c ular Start: Beacon Hill car park, Simons Lane, Overton Hill, Frodsham WA6 6HG Map: OS Explorer 267 and Delamere Forest Terrain: Mainly good paths and tracks, several kissing gates and some rock steps. Some gradients more than 1:10. 1 Turn left out of the car park. There are some interesting trees here including cherry and the unusual spindle. 2 Turn left on to the footpath at Overhill Cottage. Here Follow the path to the right up the hill. Go you join the and the Delamere through the kissing gate, up the steep Way. Carry on past the cottage, go through the gate slope and then along the grassy path to into the grounds of Heathercliffe Hotel and follow the road. Again it is worth pausing to look the path to the road. The grounds are particularly back at the view. attractive in spring time when the rhododendrons and foxgloves are in flower. Suddenly the path 6 Go through the kissing gate onto the road, opens up and there are excellent views over the go straight across into Riley Bank and estuary with many landmarks including the follow the road around to the left. - bridge, the M56, Halton Water 7 Turn left onto the restricted byway and left Tower and Fiddlers Ferry power station. again at the end onto another restricted 3 Turn left up the hill and then right into the War byway. Follow this sandy track to the end. Memorial Fields. Look out for yellow rattle and 8 Turn right onto the road. Cross over and go meadow cranesbill in early summer. Follow the through the kissing gate into the field, path to the Memorial which has recently been often cropped with potatoes. Cross the restored. Again the views are fantastic on a clear farm track and continue on the path which day. Turn left past the toposcope and follow the takes you through the golf course. Sandstone Trail along the cliff edge. The path meanders through the woodland with lots of rock 9 Turn left onto road and follow this back to outcrops. the car park. 4 Turn right at the fingerpost signed to Delamere Forest. Go down the steps known as Baker’s Dozen into Dunsdale Hollow. Follow the Trail to the left and then up the steps in the rock. It is worth pausing at the top to look back and admire the view. Carry on past the seat and the ‘Ice and Sea’ interpretative panel, bearing left up the hill and continue on the Trail, turning right down the hill following the hollow track. 5 Go left off the Trail through a metal kissing gate onto a footpath. Follow the path to the right, go through a kissing gate and carry on along the path. Looking from Woodhouse Hill towards Helsby

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Grade: Moderate r c Distance: 5km/3miles Time: Allow 2 hours ular

Start: The Bickerton Poacher, Road, W alk Bulkeley SY14 8BE Map: OS Explorer 257, & Nantwich Terrain: Mainly good paths and tracks. Several kissing gates and irregular steps, some gradients more than 1:10

1 Cross the road with care and go up the footpath 9 Turn left and go down the steps, opposite the car park. Carry on up the hill, through the kissing gate and carry on ignoring the path on the right which is where until you meet the original path. Turn you will rejoin this path later. Go up the steps, left and follow this back to the A534 through the kissing gate and carry on up, and The Bickerton Poacher. bearing left at the waymark. 2 Go over the stile by Chestnut Cottage and carry on along the track to the stile on the right. Go over the stile and follow the path to Coppermine Lane. 3 Turn left down the lane. 4 Turn right onto the footpath by the cave. Go over the stile, past the coppermine chimney, and carry on along the path which follows the fence line. Cross the brook, go up the steps and carry on to the Sandstone Trail post. 5 Turn right onto the Trail. Go through the kissing gate by Chiflik Farm and carry on past the trig point at Rawhead and the steps down to Droppingstone Well, until you come to a wooden kissing gate. Pines near Rawhead 6 Go through the gate and bear right up the sandy track which soon joins a larger track. 7 Cross the top of Coppermine Lane and follow the Sandstone Trail across the field. 8 Go through the kissing gate and turn right onto the worn path. (Do not follow the Sandstone Trail which continues straight up the hill.) Go through the kissing gate on the right and follow Bilberry the path down the hill to the fingerpost.

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Here you sample another aspect of the Cheshire countryside as much of this area o is managed by large estates. Listen out for pheasants as you walk through the Bic k woods or an eye open for the feeders. Rawhead is the highest point on the ert

Trail with impressive views. on C

Peckforton Castle, modelled on a hur

Norman castle, was built in the 1840s c h for Admiral Tollemache, using sandstone quarried on the Estate. Listen out for tiny wrens and goldcrests, searching for insects as you walk through the woodlands. A short climb up Bulkeley Hill is rewarded with excellent views eastwards to the and Cannock Chase. Huge sweet chestnut trees spiral skywards, casting a welcome shade in summer. Sweet chestnut trees were introduced to Britain by the Romans and were widely grown for timber. Trees were coppiced to produce a regular supply of wood for fencing. The Trail swings west to Rawhead, the highest point on the route at 227m (746’). The red cliffs, sculpted by the wind and the rain, are Sandstone Outcrop below Rawhead spectacular while the views to the west on a clear day are equally stunning. The chimney of the copper mine just by the A534 is a rare, industrial relic in this rural landscape. The mine was worked intermittently for over 200 years but the copper return was poor and the mine has been idle for many years. The chimney was built in 1856 as a flue for the pumping engine that drained the mines.

Sweet Chestnuts

17 stle on Ca Beest e . t y k. e h e one o h his lef e st t sit st hen . Go e e h ugh arm h . h o pa f of t, t h r and , t t e ugh t e exham e e h . h r o h er . oppo r rail at Follow t t . t k v W . pat T arm and h e Lane e e h hen bear . Follow t o right F o c h urn lef e Lane ugh woodland T o Hill Lane Hill and down h awhead, t trac k one field diagonall o . on t y woodland trac c e r sing gat e R hur oads tak tage and go down e hiflik end of o h h h e st h e sr t ele llow t llow C R on t kis sing gat all and go t all and go s h e ia a small bridge s t o lane down t o e cot e o enhall Lane on C s ppermine v k e f at e r t ad and tak Sandst w h o t k. Go up a flight o h h up t o h car c limb t e t a ert t Go straight again int t C k r . t T h stle k Cr o hill, pa stle and t . e e trac and carry st tage t o t t. C e e y h trac ugh t downhill and t fields and tak h h t sit e p of ca Bic of sing gat o trac . e ound Bulk pa e h o r on 34 wit lef lef o t . o tage e on Ca hen lef e e s cot st t h h r hen lef st pat e t h h t h A5 lane 34) e e h s two fields t ont cot e e oppo t Lane h h s t, t point h ju t ound t e sing gat h h y o o oads t h r continue a major eeper’ along t t lef t s t s t ugh a wooden kis ugh a kis ugh t r sr e s s s h ar lane k woodland t woodland s o o o e v ad (A5 7m. Go t s t o o e e r r r e a kis llow t llow t om Beest o eps on t eps on t o a urn lef urn right r r h h h h h h o o o ootpat t c 22 t f R Cr P dri t pat highest woodland ar t right Cr Bear t f right st T Af st and c T f t Horsle F alongside t awhead R 21 19 24 23 22 20

Beeston Castle to Bickerton Church 18 Beest

Tatt Cheshire Ice enhall Lan e on Ca Cream Farm START Beeston POINT Castle 19 stle P Pay and t o

N 20 Display Bic k ert

Horsley Lane on C 21

Peckforton hur Castle c h

Stanner Nab

22 Pheasant Inn

Cheshire Workshops Peckforton Higher Peckforton Burwardsley Hills

Harthill Bulkeley Hill 23 e

n a L e in

Raw m r Head e p Bulkeley p o C A534 Bickerton antwich t Poacher to N o Wre xham Sandstone A534 Gallantr Inn 24 Bank

25 Bickerton Hill Bickerton Church

0 500 1.0 1.6 km

1 mile 19 e a h o ng urn er T o o v hen e up t L h o o t t field t ad at e e o h and carry v Middle h and t 2000 h up a r ntinue t ugh t e o s o o er h esting t s r v t pat o es of h . C ootbridges. e r er o o stiles and f h eep pat e arm dri e ac h f st hen head lef e ootbridge e h on gat field t h hedge is int . astle e e ir woodland and woodland and ood. Go t llow t h h h h o t hours W c llow t s straight two mor fields, t Lane s o 3 o e . y o a small f ought - down t r her h llow t bir o and f t 2 o t t on Hill. Follow t Sha ac wr a barn. Head down t hen f rail and it of e o eam t lef T h ert d Lane ook Maiden C of k t w: e ur and f s Heat str or e right h light br o h e urn right y ound Het e edge y arm t or T h t hen continue side om e . h o Bic F t r e on Hall t h , t wit h f Allo h ar se Goldf bef r of stle o ont e st t pat Larkt hen a stile ju tion of Hou und t e t along t t bank o h ponds on right e ed out field t e lef e Skirt t. Follow t e y . field edge h sit h harac h p go diagonall e miles miles e t c lef o No Man’ h llow t Manor o Maiden Ca ed sec s t e sit 2 t e o look t o t s turn lef e h / bridges, t v o k eep t t e o y a oppo h 1 e r slightl ti hen and r v K v e t . t t 5 h e e one on t oppo trac and f h k t e sit St ele een. bear h , c and c st e -gallops of . Go along t llow t trac s it, briefl ty's distinc o a stile sit s t e right. At la i s two mor f oppo e on Gr o urn lef o h e s right o r T ur t K o small gat e h t hur o c r horse st h h. y e stile oppo her h e k lane h e and go up t on Hampt Distance: Distance: tlers would ha on t t don't h ook, c h s a quit e field corner c at en pat his is t trac er e ugh t e br v on C T h ha o set but e h . r hur y h . woods, pa h hedge ugh anot lane c e een in t e e and go down t o e along t h r h sing turn right ert sing gat up t h h er s h t t earl v o k Lane bridge h t on Gr o , t r r st y on Hill . along t c o s and go o s o ugh t se t t r hat s s bilberry ymarks t o kle r e ntinue

o o r t a t Bic o e urn right h Hampt ootbridge Bic f trac af right hill wit T stiles t C Hou Lane Cr w Go pa t on down a sunk metal kis Cr k

ears ago. Near hink 27 29 28 26 25 t y Bic lots of 5.

Bickerton Church to No Man’s Heath 20 Bic A53 4 k

Sandstone Inn ert on C START Brunty Brown POINT Knowl 25 Bank hur Bickerton Bickerton c

Hill Church h t o e n No Man’ P a L O Larkton d l r d o Hill f C d o l Maiden o a G c Castle h

R s Heat o a d P Hether Bickerton e Wood n a h L g n o L 26 N Larkton

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Hampton Heath 29 Hampton

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to W h itc hurch No Man’s Wheatsheaf Inn Heath 30 Shop

Bickleywood

0 500 1.0 1.6 km

1 mile 21 on Hill awhead ert k R at , Bic one St s in flower ty’ t i K Gorse o a t e s e s e h h h ge a a on a e y ult out om e h r eat or h fic lar r y ed t e h w t e ing t t ed b ook g.uk c soils. h t built s whic v h s L es ed f ng Lane o dif T y y ec T s v vy . o rt, built s lowland work h a e ponds along y man ot o L lea st. st.or s. erfl o f ed t e mo u t z woodland t r hea maining d. Also look e und it our or management o contac T e h pr h of e ea of eeding on t plain. s well u s well o t h rail pa marl whic e a but se zar heshir u can still see r T bef out h Smaller w r o Alderle s originall Malpa ert o e w h t on Age e Y a v home t sout en t fice eak y h s i f e been r e s at hen gra Ir s a t her e , who f s e h t W ood h in C o . e erflies f Of h v h w c r . e ar t National ust t sand. her W e r r 4UB ac own and manage point. u pa her o h sweet T hur of t t side side h ar but o 0 T h and woodland. s s o whic common li eering plea h banks whic ad, Net pits dug f y u u t e y 2 ees ha ds and animals suc people o r r ormation about h of r 1 h eak T T een hairstr Manager is anot summer ea would r 4 be bilberry tr o lunt is a wonderful ar dug f Hether untry untry y eart e heat alesmonsw o f h antage o inf y s whic o o gr e c h ar ecountry@nationaltru v v W e Sout se parish c h of C C s 584 ea lowland heat . and t h and bilberry e t e e ertiliser her astle 5 onHill, one t h operty ened bir ea end t r skirts 2 ar lesfield SK1 lesfield R t saic in earl t o her 6 a f on Hill on Church on Church s of ert o 34 or 34 or Pr National National t t y heshir own ponds s 1 f e National whole furt eat k r r c e e e a een hairstr 0 e r ea rail originall h h managed b e e gr heshir heshir h h h el t e h h eeds on t T A5 traders. traders. k k w t: e: Macc Macc T C details of T C a mo For and so bir some out f t t nightjar Bic ar heat T T v gr e e er ed a e mains of r emendou s v h h hapel of e h o u wer t T hills and heading out o r huts inside Maiden C tr f bilberry Bic heat Bic c tra T salt

Bickerton Church to No Man’s Heath 22 No Man’ 6. No Man’s Heath to Whitchurch Distance: 51/2 miles Allow: 2-3 hours s Heat

The final section of the Trail meanders h t o

through the fields past Old St Chad’s Whit Chapel before joining the Shropshire c Union Canal at Willeymoor Lock. hur

Call into the Heritage Centre in c h Whitchurch to find out all about the town’s fascinating past. Just south of Bickley Hall is a group of trees known as Barhill Fall. In 1687 a small rise collapsed with a ‘huge noise’ and a yawning pit opened and filled with water. The culprit is believed to be a layer of salt which had gradually dissolved, causing the land above to crumble. Close by is Bickley Field where two bronze tablets conferring citizenship on Roman Old St Chad's Chapel, soldiers were found in 1812. Wonderful yews and Cedar of Lebanon trees surround Old St Chad’s, built in 1689. Several services are held here during the summer including Rogation Sunday, Ascension Day & Rush Bearing Day. Pearl Farm is one of the last chances on the trail to see a half timbered house, dating from 1607. The brick infilling would probably have replaced traditional wattle and daub. The Trail joins the at Willeymoor Lock and heads west towards Ellesmere & Llangollen. This section of the canal is excellent for wildflowers. Look out for water figwort and the delicately fragranced meadowsweet alongside the towpath. Large hawker dragonflies patrol sections of canal, keeping aerial intruders at . Grindley Brook is the meeting point of several trails. The heads west, the east, and the Shropshire Way south. From here it is just a short trek into Whitchurch and the end of the Sandstone Trail. Llangollen Canal near Willeymoor Lock

23 . h er e c e h. nd of v e eep earl h r o o t e P y t h t hur and h st e . c at bridges wpat and right be v y h Jubilee e e t o and k e e h hen t h hapel. h ormation her dri alle lef t. lane eac t t urn lef s t u ar t e up v e T e o d o h h r e t a mini u r lef y and go alk a e h field. Follow o fields pa pub. o e and t Sherrymill Hill, nex k e e hen turn lef y rail inf k se h w and Danson's had's C e c s t arm. T h h t rail. o on t o h h, w C ad t T e and o t c L o t o e t e St ook . f eenfield Rise and continue llow r h until om of and t tion wher and hen join t hen join t e o ugh t sing gat y t int hur Br s a trac h Gr h o her c e y armhou s c miles/5km along t t r Old h f f o Lane down t down h alle o 3 bot ymoor r lane Llangollen Canal t t e sing gat ar v eet. e e e lef st h -bridge Whit ad at h h h t ille t ugh Barhill F ugh Barhill end of o t kis Str fields, t whic one e o W e r lif k canal below two furt o t o t of ugh a kis r of Grindle sing gat h at e e ymoor h canal junc ge e e o o tion turn right h fields t hen lef hen almo small e st r h h arm leads of h r t e h ont h t t t ille h ont ont o lar High h trac r t c t e e er er W park o ur ugh t -junc h pa h v v h centr - and t t o o T o t e in f same hur on f r fields t field edges, c hapel and go t e d e c h car s o s o ugh a kis ugh t e e om. h s f h t s s h end of c h its sandst t s e o o ntinue undabout, bear t o o e e r r r t p of wpat o o ark urn right urn right urn right, t urn arm t r o h h h h h o o o t along t bot Cr t P wit boar For Sherrymill Hill along t r At t Go t c go straight a stile t C t F T t t mor T Carry t Bridge Whit Cr T 31 32 33 36 35 34 30 Inn k c o L h c ses o hur ymoor c ille W Whit Dog R

No Man’s Heath to Whitchurch 24 No Man’

Wheatsheaf Inn 30 Bickley

La s Heat Shop START ne POINT Bickleywood

No Man’s h t

Heath o Whit c hur

9

A4 c h A4

1 Barhill Farm Old St. Chad’s 31 Chapel

Bradley 32 Willey Common Moor Bell o’ Blue Bell Inn th’ Hill

Tushingham Willeymoor Lock Tavern 33

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Horse & Jockey Inn Grindley Brook staircase 9 lock A4 cafe summer only B 5

4

7 6 6

1 B A4 53 95 Whitchurch

34 35 36

0 500 1.0 1.6 km 1 mile 25 Walking the Sandstone Trail Information along the way The Trail can be enjoyed over 2 or 3 days or at a There are several sandstone marker posts at key more leisurely pace in shorter sections. The table points along the Trail to let you know how far below shows the length of each section and a you have walked! suggested time to allow but please remember There are also distinctive blue notice boards this is a guide only and you may find you take along the way which have local information and more or less time. a copy of the latest Sandstone Trail newsletter. We would strongly recommend you wear This will have details of guided walks or special comfortable boots or walking shoes as some events happening on the Trail and also details of sections can be wet, muddy or slippery at any any temporary diversions. This information is time of year. Because the Trail follows the also available online at sandstone ridge there are few facilities on the www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk actual route and most pubs and shops are a short distance from the Trail. Please check Out in the Country opening times in advance and always take some Please keep to paths across farmland and leave food and plenty to drink with you. Don’t forget all gates as you find them. your sunscreen, especially if you are walking Dogs should be kept under control so they are north to south. not a nuisance to other walkers, farm animals or wildlife. Following Waymarks The Trail is well waymarked using distinctive yellow discs with an ‘S’ in the footprint. Waymarks indicate the way to go as you stand directly in front of them. Because the Trail is well walked the path is usually obvious but some of the linking rights of way may not be so clear on the ground. Look out for stiles in the hedges and lines in the grass where others have walked.

Cumulative Start End Height OS Grid OS Grid Distance Distance Average Ascended Start - End Reference Reference kilometres miles Time (Steepness)

Section 1 Bear’s Paw Inn, Frodsham to SJ 516 779 SJ 541 715 12km 7 1/2 miles 3-4 hours 372 m Barnsbridge Gates, Delamere Forest

Section 2 Barnsbridge Gates, Delamere Forest SJ 541 715 SJ 537 661 7km 4 miles 2 hours 169 m to John Street*, Willington Hall

Section 3 John Street*, Willington Hall to SJ 537 661 SJ 540 590 9km 5 1/2 miles 2-3 hours 114 m Beeston Castle Entrance**

Section 4 Beeston Castle Entrance** to SJ 540 590 SJ 509 535 9km 5 1/2 miles 2-3 hours 300 m Bickerton Church***, A534

Section 5 Bickerton Church***, A534 to SJ 509 535 SJ 523 480 9km 5 1/2 miles 2-3 hours 188 m Bickley, near No Man’s Heath

Section 6 Bickley, near No Man’s Heath to SJ 523 480 SJ 537 415 9km 5 1/2 miles 2-3 hours 91 m Sherry Mill Hill car park, Whitchurch

Totals 55 k 34 miles 13 -18 hours 1234 metres

Notes: *Limited roadside parking. **Pay and Display parking. ***Very limited parking – Do not obstruct accesses 26 Larkton Hill

Maps Although the Trail is well waymarked you are strongly advised to use the Ordnance Survey Explorer maps with this leaflet. The relevant maps are OS Explorer 267 Northwich and Delamere Forest and OS Explorer 257 Crewe & Nantwich. Public Transport There are good rail links to Frodsham, Delamere and Whitchurch as well as regular bus services to the major towns and villages. For all passenger travel and timetable information please contact Cheshire Traveline on 0871 200 2233. Lines are open 8.00am to 8.00pm, every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Access information Accommodation Surfaces along the Trail vary depending on the There is a range of accommodation within nature of the terrain but they may be rough, walking distance of the Trail. uneven or slippery. Some sections can be wet www.discovercheshire.co.uk is ideal to help and muddy at any time of year. Parts of the Trail you plan your walk as you can see where are quite hilly, particularly around Frodsham, the establishments are in relation to the Trail. and Larkton Hill and over the A regularly updated list is available to download whole length of the Trail you will have climbed at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk a total of 1234 metres. Stiles are gradually being replaced with kissing Further reading gates where possible to make access easier. A ‘Circular Walks along the Sandstone Trail’ full access audit was undertaken in 2008 and published by Mara Books and the new ‘Walking details of this are available on line at Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail’ published by www.discovercheshire.co.uk or at Northern Eye Books are both widely available in www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk local bookshops.

27 Tourist Information Centres

Chester (Northgate Street) Town Hall Northgate Street Chester CH1 2HJ t: 01244 402111 e: [email protected] www.visitcheshire.com

Frodsham Managing the Trail Frodsham Town Council Castle Park, Frodsham via The Trail is managed by Cheshire West and Cheshire WA6 6SB Chester Council. You should not experience any t: 01928 735150 problems using the Trail but if you do, please let e: [email protected] us know. We are always pleased to receive feedback on the route so if you have any Whitchurch comments or queries please contact us. 12 St Mary’s Street Phoenix House, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 1QY Clough Road, , Cheshire CW7 4BD t: 01948 664577 e: [email protected] t: 01606 271830 e: [email protected]

A favourite view from Rawhead

All photos © Cheshire West and Chester Council www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk t: 0300 123 8123 Guide first produced and printed 2009

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