River Dee to the English and Afon Dyfrdwy to the Welsh, this broad river meanders slowly between the villages of Churton and Aldford. But it wasn't always so peaceful. To the west lies the homeland of Owain Glyndwr and in the 12th century a grand fortress was constructed here at the point where the Roman Watling Street crossed into Wales. The castle was destroyed during the Civil War then, around 1850, the Duke of Westminster completely rebuilt Aldford. With barley-sugar twist chimney stacks it now looks like a fairytale - still it's better than fighting the Welsh!
LOCATION: Five miles south of Chester
START: Off B5130, Aldford village car park opposite church
Grid ref: SJ420594 Postcode: CH3 6JE
DISTANCE: 7 miles
GRADE: Easy
TIME: 3.5 hours
MAP: Explorer - Crewe & Nantwich Landranger 117
NOTE: Iron Bridge, Aldford
REFRESHMENTS: White Horse & Grosvenor Arms
EN ROUTE: Iron Bridge
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News