The Sandstone Trail Part 2 - Willington to Bickerton | Visit Cheshire for a 3 day Walking Holiday

Today we’re going to explore the Sandstone Trail in Cheshire, it’s one of the oldest and most popular middle distance walks in the Northwest of England.

Established in the 1970s, the route has been extended at both ends reaching its current length in the late 1990s its 34-35 miles and heads south from Frodsham to Whitchurch following the Sandstone ridge.

I ran the whole route in 1 day which with a small diversion to the Delamere forest visitors centre and doing the optional Old Pale ascent came to 34.8 miles. It is possible to walk the whole route when the days are at there longest however I’d recommend splitting it up into a 3 day route and taking your time to enjoy the views and surrounding areas.

So today we have part 2 - Willington to Bickerton 11.5 miles

Getting there

There are places to park at either end of todays route or you could stay at the suggested accommodation at the start and end of todays route. Visit the website for more details about parking, places to stay and a map of the route

Details of the route, parking and accommodation are available on my site https://www.runadventurer.co.uk/the-s...

The Route

We begin at the end of the trail that drops down from Tirley Lane to Willington Corner. At the road turn right, parking is available on the verge on the left. After a short distance take the path on your right which winds its way over the fields to Tarporley with stunning views of Beeston and Peckforton. Just follow the path, cross Wood Lane and at at Fishers Green turn right down the track you will come out on the A51 near Tarporley. Cross the busy road then continue down the path opposite. When you reach the woods there is an option to step off the trail by turning left the will lead you to Back Lanes across the A49 and down Moss Lane and a path that brings you out in the middle of Tarporley by the Rising Sun Pub, there are lots of places to grab something to eat and drink, I’d suggest The Swan. Our route goes right from the woods though over the fields to Crib Lane. Cross the road and head down Pudding Lane then take the path on your right through to Huxley Lane and on to the Shropshire Union Canal at Wharton’s Lock. Cross at the lock and follow the path under the railway and up the bank to the Chapel lane close to the entrance to Beeston castle. Turn right passing the entrance to Beeston castle.

The castle is well worth a visit. At the time of writing due to COVID access is by prebooked ticket only so make sure you book in advance. Well worth a trip to the top for the stunning views. Find out more here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v...

Just past the entrance to the castle is an outdoor seating area cafe well worth stopping to refuel before continuing down the path through the woodland to Tattenhall lane. Cross the road and take the path opposite with stunning views of Peckforton Castle https://www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk . There is a slightly confusing marker post ahead, you want to turn right through to Horsley Lane. At the road turn right and then left up the track into the Peckforton Estate. Follow the track around the edge of the woodland until you reach the marker which points you up a nice steep hill. Note at this point if you carry straight on instead it will bring you to Pennsylvania lane and The Pheasant Inn at Burwardsley which is well worth a visit. We head up the hill though and then down the bank with fantastic views towards Chester and North Wales to Rock lane. Go straight on then left into Hill lane then take the path on your right down to Fowlers Bench lane at Peckforton Gap. Turn right then left up the track turning right up the climb into Bulkeley Hill Wood. There are some stunning views of the Cheshire Plain from the top and at the far end just where we turn right towards Raw Head, the option to turn left down the hill to the Bickerton Poacher. We head for Raw Head, crossing Coppermine Lane and heading down the track which takes you around the ridge to Raw Head with several great views along the way. Next head down the hill coming out eventually on Wrexham road. Cross the road and head down Brunty to Goldford lane where we finish our route for today at the start of the path up Bickerton Hill.
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