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 Bishop Bennet Way Route Description  55km (34 miles)
A route for riders following bridleways, byways and minor roads thorough the countryside of southwest Cheshire.
It can also be followed on foot and on mountain bike. Walkers can avoid longer road sections by making the most of the dense footpath network in the area - refer to OS Map Explorer 257. Cyclists are advised that the surfaces of many sections of the route can make for difficult progress.
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The Bishop Bennet Way runs from below Beeston Castle, west towards the Welsh border. It passes by Tattenhall and Aldford before turning south and east past Farndon, towards Malpas and Whitchurch.
The route is named after the eighteenth century traveller who once explored the tracks that we now ride for pleasure.
William Bennet was born on 4th March 1745 in the Tower of London. He was Educated at Harrow School and Emanuel College, where he later became a fellow and tutor. |
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He was appointed Bishop of Cork and Ross in 1790 and four years later became Bishop of Cloyne, a post he kept until his death in 1820.
A member of the House of Lords, he found time during the summer to carry out some of the earliest detailed surveys of the old Roman roads of England, including those between the old Roman forts at Deva (Chester) and Mediolanvm (Whitchurch). He was accompanied by his friend the Rev Thomas Lemon, about whom little is known.
The Lyson brothers who later did a scholarly study of Roman roads, acknowledged their indebtedness to William Bennet and Thomas Lemon. Their works can be inspected in the British Museum.
The Bishop Bennet Way comprises some 27km of surfaced roads (mostly without verges) and 12km of "green lanes" of which some have bridleway status. The remainder of the route is by field-edge and cross-field paths, the latter being occasionally subject to ploughing. The route is largely on flat ground but with some gentle hills in its southern half. Some of the central sections of the route can be very wet during winter months.
It is hoped eventually to continue the route to Shrewsbury, but for now the described route finishes near the hilltop village of Wirswall on the Shropshire border. Using bed and breakfast accommodation the whole ride can be completed over two consecutive days, or you could choose to ride shorter sections individually.
Horseriders are legally entitled to ride bridleways, "restricted byways" (formerly classed as "RUPPs"), "byways open to all traffic" (or "BOATs") and, of course, public roads. You must expect to share all these routes with walkers and cyclists and, in the case of byways and roads, with motor traffic too. You should also expect some use of bridleways by farmers with agricultural vehicles.
 Accessibility:
The Council, as the highway authority, is responsible for protecting and maintaining public rights of way. You should not encounter any problems when riding or walking around the area but if you do, please give details to the Countryside Management Service so that it can be attended to.
Please report any problems with the short section of the route which passes through Shropshire to Shropshire County Council on 01743 255054.
 How to get there:
The route starts at a quiet road junction 1km west of Beeston Castle (OS grid ref 526596) which can easily be reached from the A49 by taking minor roads to Beeston village and then on towards Tattenhall.
A free leaflet covering the route is available from:
Countryside Management Service
Cheshire County Council
Phoenix House
Clough Road
Winsford
Cheshire CW7 4BD
Phone: 01606 541801
E-mail prow@cheshire.gov.uk
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