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Utkinton Route Description 8km (5 miles) 2 - 3 hours

Utkinton Hall and the beautiful gardens of Tirley Garth are just some of the sights to see on the way.

Deep in the heart of mid-Cheshire, this route covers some of the rich dairy and fruit growing country for which the area is so famous. In fact, this quiet corner of the county has been inhabited and cultivated for thousands of years, as the nearby Iron Age hillforts at Eddisbury and Kelsborrow Castle testify. The walk unfolds through a deep sunken lane and across a rolling patchwork landscape, with wonderful views across to the distant Peckforton Hills and beyond (see Raw Head walk). For part of its length it follows the long-distance Sandstone Trail, before passing the ancient manor house of Utkinton Hall.

The route then takes walkers through the peaceful Cheshire village that gave the Hall its name, and skirts the beautiful gardens at Tirley Garth - which in late spring are ablaze with the colour of rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom.

Accessibility:

Mainly public rights of way across fields, with some country lanes.
3 horse gates, 20 stiles.

How to get there:

For all passenger travel and timetable information contact Cheshire Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
Lines are open 8:00am - 8:00pm, every day except Christmas Day,  Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Contact:

countryside@cheshire.gov.uk