Alderley Edge
a hamlet until the 1840s, is one of the earliest leafy retreats in the world to be promoted by a railway company for merchants - from Manchester twelve miles away! The village has attractive Victorian houses and a pleasant shopping centre. There are pleasant walks close to the sheer face of the Edge complete with Arthurian Legends.
Alsager
is a pleasant little town, principally a rural suburb that provides easy access for people who work in the Potteries. Alsager Mere is a beauty spot on the edge of the countryside.
- Alsager Tour Guide - A photographic map guide of the city , with information on general interests, shops and city life.
Astbury
near Congleton, is a pretty village around a well-kept Green that sports a springtime display of daffodils. The fine church, dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries, is noted for its detached tower and spire, carved oak roof and furnishings.
Audlem
on Cheshire's southern boundary is an ancient market town on the River Weaver. The old Market House with its eight stone pillars is a landmark, in front of the fine Decorated and Perpendicular church with its noble tower.
Barnton
village is situated near Northwich above the Trent and Mersey Canal and River Weaver. The famous Anderton Boat Lift which used to carry boats to and from the River Weaver, and is at present being renovated, is close by.
Bollington
near Macclesfield is best known for cotton manufacture and the massive railway viaduct. 'White Nancy' is a stone tower nearly 1,000 feet above sea level giving magnificent views across the surrounding countryside. The Macclesfield Canal with adjoining woodland offers attractive leisure opportunities.
- Bollington - visit the "Happy Valley" site for maps, pubs and restaurants, local history, organisations, businesses and artisans, and to learn about a local heritage initiative.
Bunbury
lies east of the central ridge, not far from Beeston Castle. The village has a restored water-powered corn mill, and a splendid Decorated and Perpendicular church containing important monuments.
Chelford
between Macclesfield and Knutsford has a church dating from 1776 although its west tower and spire are later. The box pews, panelling, pulpit and gallery are all original. The village is also the venue of one of Cheshire's best known cattle markets.
Chester
Founded by the Romans as a legionary fortress in the first century AD has a history which spans 1,900 years. This can still be seen today in the Roman amphitheatre, features visible in shops in Bridge Street and Northgate Street and remains housed in the Grosvenor Museum. Chester has a complete circuit of city walls, partly Roman, partly medieval and party Georgian. The unique Rows, are covered walkways at first floor level, sometimes built over medieval under crofts or 'crypts' and sometimes containing the great halls of merchants. Houses are now used as shops in the principal streets and 'black and white' architecture, sometimes 17th century but often Victorian. There are a number of historic churches, notably the Cathedral (formerly St Werburgh's Abbey), St John's and St Peter's.
Congleton
lies in the heart of the south-east Cheshire farmland. A market town since the Middle Ages, Congleton remains a lively shopping centre with historic buildings including delightful Elizabethan pubs on its old main street. Mow Cop and closer at hand the Cloud give magnificent views in all directions and have interesting rock formations.
Crewe
developed as a railway town and retains its importance today as a major junction and centre for locomotive building and repair. Added to this, Crewe is the home of Rolls Royce and many other widely known companies. Extensive shopping and civic centres are complemented by exceptional social and recreational facilities. The + 50 acre Queens Park is recognised as the finest in the north.
Disley
lies in the picturesque Goyt Valley, through which pass the Peak Forest Canal and the road and railway from Manchester to Buxton. The town's history can be traced back to the time when it was a clearing in the Macclesfield Forest. The town centre and Buxton Old Road are lined with historic buildings and monuments; elsewhere are pleasant leafy suburbs.
Eccleston
together with Aldford, Saighton and Waverton are villages on the estate of the Duke of Westminster, whose home is Eaton Hall. Eccleston, several times voted one of Cheshire's best kept villages, has riverside walks along the meadows to Chester and by the wilder wooded banks upstream through an atmospheric and historic landscape.
Ellesmere Port
is one of the largest oil refining centres in Britain and has other major industries including vehicle manufacture. It is here that the Shropshire Union Canal system joins the Manchester Ship Canal. The Boat Museum reflects the importance of the canals for trade. The town has traffic-free award winning shopping including an expanding designer outlet village, civic centres and attractive modern housing, surrounded by pleasant countryside and farmland. The M53 and M56 motorways pass close to the town centre.
Farndon
lies on the River Dee south of Chester and on the border with Wales with which it is linked by a 14th-century nine arch stone bridge. The church has its origins in the 13th century but was restored after the Civil War. Just off the A534 is Stretton Mill, a restored 13th century working water mill.
Frodsham
was an important Mersey port during the Middle Ages and a staging post during the stage coach era. The wide main street has attractive small shops and inns and hosts a popular weekly market. The 11th -15th century parish church stands at Overton, on the hill half a mile north. Delamere Forest is nearby.
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