Walking the Weaver Way Taking you deep into some of Cheshire’s On your journey visit some of Cheshire’s most Now Walk the Weaver Way Enjoying the Countryside finest countryside, the 40 mile / 65 km picturesque and fascinating towns and Weaver Way follows the gentle path of villages. Enjoy a canalside drink and bite to Further information about the Weaver Way Whenever you go walking into the meandering waterways, down the spine of eat in pretty Audlem; or indulge in some together with downloadable route mapping countryside it’s best to be prepared. this beautiful county. retail therapy in the half timbered streets of and directions, can be found at Water Safety historic Nantwich. Founded in Saxon times, www.discovercheshire.co.uk. You can Stretching from Frodsham in the north to its Frodsham is a great place to explore, also use the site to find attractions, places The Weaver Way follows rivers and canals. most southerly point at Audlem, the route boasting attractive buildings, good pubs and to eat and drink, as well as accommodation Be safe and supervise children and animals leads you along the River Weaver and fine restaurants. near the route. at all times, particularly near locks and public Navigation, as well as the Trent and Mersey, roads. and Shropshire Union Canals. Throughout the year there are many popular What to Wear events and festivals taking place along the The Weaver Way Network Watch for wildlife along the way, from mad Weaver Way. Experience waterways culture Walking boots or stout shoes are The new Weaver Way Network is now being March hares to Canada Geese. Or delight at at the Middlewich Boat and Folk Festival each recommended if you are walking, as some developed. It will allow walkers and cyclists the bright blue and orange Kingfishers which June; relish the best of local produce at the paths may be rough or muddy. You should to explore the full length of the valley, which launch themselves upon unsuspecting fish Nantwich Food and Drink Festival or join also bring waterproofs and warm clothing as stretches from Audlem to Frodsham. There from overhanging trees. more than 100,000 spectators in Northwich the weather can change quickly. will be facilities for horse riders too. for the Thundersprint motorcycle event. What to Bring The Weaver Way is rich in heritage; much of it Using mainly off-road routes, the Network linked to the county’s now much mellowed, Whether taken in stages, or enjoyed in its will link six towns and 11 villages – as well as Drinks and snacks are always useful and industrial legacy. Visit the Salt Museum in entirety, the Weaver Way leaves a wealth of eight regional walking trails and the National don't forget a packed lunch on the all-day Northwich, where the story of Cheshire’s memories - of tranquil countryside, abundant Cycle Way. It will be fully signed and can be walks. Also pack your sunscreen - just in exploitation of this valuable mineral is told. wildlife, unique culture, rich heritage and joined from a number of locations along the case! Or take a trip on the restored Anderton Boat vibrant events. valley. Maps Lift, carrying you 50 feet up from the River The project will be completed between 2014 Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal. So come and discover the Weaver Way for We would recommend you take OS Explorer and 2018. Funding has been sourced by the yourself - and make these memories your maps 257 and 267. Weaver Valley Regional Park. own. Visitor Information Walking the Weaver Way Chester 01244 351609 Congleton 01260 271095 Cheshire Oaks 0151 356 7879 Macclesfield 01625 504114 Nantwich 01270 537359 Northwich 01606 353534 Warrington 01925 428585 Wilmslow 01625 522275 Knutsford 01565 632611 For further information on visitor attractions, places to stay and events in Cheshire go to: www.visitcheshire.com For more detailed information on walking, cycling and riding in Cheshire as well as places to visit in the countryside, click on www.discovercheshire.com Frodsham 1 Dutton Locks 2 Acton Bridge 3 Anderton 4 Rich in history, Frodsham The locks were built in A small village on the The village of Anderton is boasts attractive 1874 to help transport picturesque River probably best known for buildings, good pubs Cheshire salt to the Port Weaver, Acton Bridge its Victorian Boat Lift, one and fine restaurants. of Liverpool. When full, was once famous for its of only two examples of Many of today’s town water in the locks is 24 pear orchards and dairy its kind in the U.K. Fully centre buildings stand feet deep and half a farms. There are a restored it provides a 50 on the original plots of Frodsham Cottages million gallons are lost Canal near Dutton Locks number of fine pubs in Acton Swing Bridge foot vertical link between Anderton Boat Lift land laid out in the 13th and 14th centuries. In each time a boat passes through. Here the the area and it is an ideal starting point for trips the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey fact, the Golden Lion pub stands on a plot River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal on Cheshire’s extensive waterways network. Canal. Visitors can take a boat ride on the lift, dating from 1361. The 32 mile Sandstone Trail go their separate ways. The footpath along Things to see and do nearby: before discovering more about this extraordinary feat of engineering at a special stretches between Frodsham and Whitchurch. the nearby Pickering’s Cut has recently been Bluebell Cottage Gardens; walking, cycling Visitor Centre. The nearby Anderton Nature Things to see and do nearby: improved. riding; riverside wildlife; Northwich and Park is a wildlife haven transformed from Things to see and do nearby: attractions; Dutton Locks. Walking, cycling and riding; Castle Park Arts industrial wasteland. Centre; Foxhill Arboretum; Hatley Farm Visits; Bluebell Cottage Gardens; Dutton Viaduct; fine Lady Heyes Craft and Antiques Restoration riverside scenery and wildlife; Acton Bridge. Things to see and do nearby: Centre; market each Thursday. Northwich Woodlands including Marbury Country Park; wildlife including bluebells in M56 spring at Marbury; Northwich and attractions. M6 A49 Knutsford Frodsham A533 Northwich 6 MNorthwich53 Ellesme rWoodlandse 5 Port 1 This is a dynamic town, Northwich Woodlands is M56 2 3 which boasts popular a rich and green Th events, top attractions A537 environment to the north e We aver Way 4 5 A556 and attractive of the town centre. It is countryside nearby. Macclesfield made up of nine areas, Known for its salt Northwich including Marbury 6 production since Roman Northwich Town Centre Country Park and Marbury Country Park M6 A56 times, Northwich is one of the few places in A49 Anderton Nature Park, each with a different 7 Britain where this vital mineral is still extracted character and history. The Weaver Navigation on a large scale. The town’s Salt Museum is the and the Trent and Mersey canal flow through A533 only one of its kind in the country. the heart of the Woodlands adding further A34 T h Things to see and do nearby: variety to the landscape. e A54 W Thundersprint motorcycle rally each May; Salt Things to see and do nearby: A54 e Holmes a Winsford Museum; Northwich Woodlands; Anderton CHESTER v Chapel Anderton Boat Lift; walking, riding and cycling, e A54 Boat Lift; Lion Salt Works; Northwich Festival. r Middlewich including the 13 mile Biking the Backroads cycle W a 8 route; Northwich and attractions. y A54 A49 A51 Congleton y a A534 W r e Sandbach v a 9 e W Winsford Vale Royal Locks 7 e A530 8 Th M6 Beyond the tree tops, A51 The modern town of near these locks, you will Winsford is made up of catch a glimpse of the 10 two much older A34 roof ofVale Royal Abbey, A49 settlements, Over and or to be more accurate, Wharton, both of which the building that now are mentioned in the Cycling on the Whitegate Way stands on its site. Crewe Domesday Book. It is Weaver Parkway Alongside, under the turf, are hidden the surrounded by attractive A534 11 foundations of what was once the largest A534 countryside, with the Weaver Parkway Cistercian Abbey in England, founded by Nantwich reclaimed from former industrial uses. A500 A500 Edward I in the late thirteenth century. Things to see and do nearby: Things to see and do nearby: T Weaver ParkwayM6 – wildlife rich restored h A51 Riverside wildlife, including dragonflies and e landscape, along the Weaver Navigation; damselflies; Whitegate Way, Northwich and A49 W sailing, fishing and walking at Winsford Flashes e attractions; Northwich Woodlands. a (lakes); walking, riding and cycling on the v e r Whitegate Way; Winsford Festival. W a y Further information about the Weaver Way together with downloadable route mapping and directions, can be found at 12 www.discovercheshire.co.uk. Audlem Church Minshull 9 Hurleston & Barbridge 10 Nantwich 11 Audlem 12 Famed now for its ancient Deep in the leafy south A designated Gentle countryside can black and white Cheshire countryside, conservation area, be found here, with architecture, Nantwich Audlem is a hidden gem Church Minshull is a Barbridge boasting was, in fact, originally a waiting to be discovered. typically picturesque marina facilities and with Roman salt producing Rich in waterways’ Cheshire village with canal junctions at settlement. Visitors can heritage, ancient black and white Hurleston and at Dorfold Hall enjoy the beautiful Grade Nantwich Town Centre buildings and excellent St James’ Church, Audlem architecture. It is located St Bartholomew’s Church Barbridge. 1 listed St Mary’s Church as well as a range of places to eat and drink this is a village much in rich dairy countryside.