Sand and salt shaped this part of Cheshire, but trains no longer thunder along the Whitegate Way and life proceeds at the leisurely pace of cyclists, horse riders and walkers. In summer golden gorse fringes deep lagoons, a relic of the quarrying, while extensive woodland is home to a host of different birds. At Blakemere Craft Centre independent shops, activities and birds of prey beguile you, while a cup of tea and homemade cakes in the cafe make an excellent end to the walk.
LOCATION: Four miles south-west of Northwich
START: Blakemere Craft Centre near junction A556/A49. Please use main car park
Grid ref: SJ597703 Postcode: CW8 2EB
DISTANCE: 5.5 miles
GRADE: Easy but can be muddy
TIME: 2.5 hours
MAP: Explorer - Northwich & Delamere Forest Landranger 117 and 188
REFRESHMENTS: Blakemere
EN ROUTE: Newchurch Common, Kennel Wood, Shemmy Moss, Nunsmere, Cuddington
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News