WOW what an amazing day we had for our first Day walk of the year. Sunshine and breezy but NO RAIN!
We started the day by being treated to warm croissants in the Cholmondeley Farm shop – what a treat! We then got going and were very soon in to our first climb of the day up the Southern end of Bickerton Hill. Within half an hour we had wonderful views across the Welsh hills and even Liverpool Cathedral was visible on the horizon.
This section of the Sandstone Trail is simply sensational. Rugged sandstone outcrops, lofty trees and panoramic views both east and west across a patchwork landscape, the highpoint being Rawhead at 745 feet above sea level – not bad for flat Cheshire. By 1.00pm we were ready for our pit stop at the really really good Pheasant Inn at Higher Burwardsley. If you have never been here you need to pencil it in for a visit this year. It is just a GREAT pub! The service was brilliant. We were all made very welcome, even with our dirty boots, poles and rucksacks and the food was fab.
Once refuelled we set off again heading off the hills through Buckeley to the back of the Cholmondeley Castle Estate and into the glorious gardens there. Ian decided to install himself at the tea shop rather than do the gardens, (maybe he had just had enough nattering and needed to give his ears a rest) but everyone else had brilliant time wandering (no actually we were still Nordic walking ) around the gardens which are well worth a visit. And, as if all that wasn’t enough some of us then decamped to The Cholmondeley Arms for a little apres walk glass of wine/beer and dinner.
In the words of Julie –
“Thanks for a fab day out yesterday. It couldn’t have been bettered. Great walk and scenery and two good pubs with a lovely crowd of people.”
What more do you need?
North Cheshire Nordic Walking 