A Winter Walk In The Peckforton Hills - 23rd Feb 2014

Reporter: Chris Fildes

We met at the Candle Workshop, Higher Burwardsley, Tattenhall, Cheshire. There was a good turn out with 21 Club Members and 3 canines in all! This interesting 9 mile walk in the Peckforton Hills was lead by Frances Taylor.

As forecast, the weather was cloudy with blustery winds, however the rain held off for us and the visibility was excellent.

We set off from the car park at approx 10.30am and soon we were crossing fields, (muddy in places), clambering over numerous styles (Peckforton Castle in view), till we eventually joined the Sandstone Trail. Walking upwards through the woodland beneath Beeston Castle, we eventually crossed Bulkeley Hill and Raw Head, where we were rewarded with excellent views across the Cheshire Plain, Moel Famau & the Clwydian Hills on the skyline.

Steve’s Eccles Cakes were very welcome during our picnic in the woods!

This interesting route contoured the edge of the sandstone outcrop, (the same geology as Alderley Edge). High above the farmland of the Peckforton Estate, we witnessed some extreme geocaching! We saw an old pumping station chimney on Bickerton Hill (evidence of old copper mines), and delightful displays of snowdrops by footpath verges on our way back through the estate.

We eventually returned to the Candle Workshops at about 3.30pm and then rounded off the day with the usual tea and cakes!!

Many thanks to Frances for organising this enjoyable walk, which was ideal for the time of year and in a lovely part of Cheshire.

The 3 doggies in our group had a good time too!