Cheshire: City Walls, Forest Trails and Waterways

Discover Cheshire in different ways: take a walk along Chester’s city walls, follow forest trails and cycling routes, or explore historic docks and locks. Its attractions offer different perspectives on city history, landscapes and engineering. For planning, it helps to decide on your main focus first: sightseeing in the city, forest trails, waterways or a walk on a waymarked route.

City history in Chester

The Chester City Walls form a complete circuit around the city. They were first built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago. The walls are open year-round and can be walked without an admission fee; maintenance work may temporarily affect access. If you plan to walk the full circuit, check the latest notices before your visit.

The Chester Rows reveal another side of the city’s history. They form a network of buildings along Chester’s four historic main streets. Their open galleries on the first floor are called “Rows”. The “Discover the Rows” visitor route is divided into six sections, each representing a Row. This lets you appreciate the architecture both as part of a street network and section by section. The history of Chester Cathedral also stretches back more than 1,000 years.

Waterways and engineering

The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port houses the national collection and archive for designated waterways. Historic boats and buildings tell the story of an important British industrial port community. Explore the docks and locks in the historic port. The café, shop and most museum galleries have level access; however, some paths around the port are uneven. If access is important to your plans, confirm the conditions before travelling.

On the museum’s boat trips, you can hear stories about life on the canals, past and present. Call ahead to ask about departure times. This lets you plan the trips into your visit without having to assume journey times in advance.

The Anderton Boat Lift is one of only two operating boat lifts in the United Kingdom. The Heritage Cycle Trail links the lift with Northwich and the Weaver Hall Museum, combining engineering history with a named cycling route. Check the trail notices before setting out, as temporary closures may occur.

Forest trails and walking routes

Delamere Forest has walking trails and traffic-free routes where you can explore the forest by bicycle. Two waymarked cycling routes are classified as forest road routes. There are also five waymarked shared-use paths and a blue-marked mountain biking singletrack. These different designations help you identify the types of routes; routes may be revised. So check the latest trail notices before your trip.

The Sandstone Trail offers a different kind of outing: the 34-mile route runs from Frodsham to Whitchurch and follows a sandstone ridge that rises distinctly above the Cheshire Plain. At Beeston Castle, the site’s 4,000-year history is complemented by a 40-acre woodland park. There are also winding forest trails. Together, these features offer different ways to experience the area: a clearly named long-distance route, a long history and paths through woodland.

Chester Zoo also offers a distinctive connection with nature and wildlife. Its grounds cover 130 acres and are home to more than 30,000 animals from over 500 species. These figures may change over time.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Cheshire, your preferred focus for the trip can help you decide where to start: city history, waterways, cycling or walking each offer different things to explore during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Frodsham, Disley, Crewe, Congleton, Chester, Alderley Edge, Lower Whitley, Alsager, Winsford, Bollington, Warmingham, Weston, Clutton, Barthomley, Cuddington, Beeston, Middlewich, Pickmere, South Wirral, Rowton, Preston Brook, Ellesmere Port, Tarvin, Wilmslow, Whitby, Tilston, Tarporley, Sandbach, Pulford, Northwich, Nantwich, Mere, Macclesfield, Little Sutton, Ledsham, Knutsford, Holmes Chapel, Handforth, Egerton, Elton, Malpas, Willaston, Tattenhall, Haslington, Waverton, High Legh, Upton, Christleton, Wrenbury, Kelsall, Neston, Mobberley, Hartford, Audlem, Helsby, Weaverham, Marthall, Aston.

For the regional travel overview: North West England.