Urchin means "elf" and elves are mischievous creatures who play tricks like hiding things, which perhaps explains why, despite many walks in Delamere Forest, we had never discovered Urchins Kitchen. This deep cleft, among the tall pines is said by geologists to be a meltwater channel left behind by the last Ice Age, but with rays of wintery sunshine filtering through the trees into the misty hollow, it appeared a magical place - an ideal spot to catch a glimpse of the fairies.
LOCATION: Eight miles west of Northwich
START: A54 Gresty's Waste car park, half mile beyond A556 junction
Grid ref: SJ540687 Postcode: CW6 0SP
DISTANCE: 3.5 miles
GRADE: Easy
TIME: 2 hours
MAP: Explorer - Northwich & Delamere Forest
REFRESHMENTS: Pack a flask
EN ROUTE: Old Pale, Sandstone Trail, Primrose Hill
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News