Highwire act: Adventurous teenagers and adults will love Go Ape in Delamere Forest
The Sandstone Trail runs through some of Cheshire’s prettiest countryside and, not surprisingly, there are plenty of attractions and other places where walkers and visitors can enjoy themselves along the way.
The unspoilt countryside around Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail offers a good range of visitor attractions and recreational opportunities for everyone, from visiting Beeston Castle, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, wind-surfing, downhill mountain boarding, coarse and game fishing, shooting, 4×4 off-road training, tennis and golf, to outdoor education and visitor centres, parks and gardens, an art gallery, a motor museum, a candle factory, an ice cream farm and more.
Events on the Sandstone Trail
There’s also a range of seasonal events centred on the Trail, from outdoor live music and concerts featuring famous bands at Delamere Forest, and the popular Sandstone Challenge and Sandstone Trail Race, to the Kelsall Folk Festival, medieval mock combat at Beeston Castle, falconry at Peckforton Castle, and the Whitchurch Canal Arm boat rally.
Close to the Sandstone Trail, look out in particular for:
Frodsham Golf Club
A challenging 18-hole course on undulating parkland with panoramic views. Superb clubhouse and facilities. Simons Lane, Frodsham. 01928 732159.
Sail Sports Windsurfing Centre
’Manley Mere’ offers sailing, windsurfing and canoeing. Hire or bring your own. Lessons available too. Lower Farm, Manley Lane, Manley, Frodsham. 01928 740243.
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre is part of Organsdale Farm. Over 350 acres of great riding country for riders of all abilities. Large 46m x 80m arena, a 10km farm ride, a cross country course, BE courses from pre-novice level, water splashes and a water complex. Scenic, traffic free environment. 07809-689972.
Willington Hall Riding Centre
Riding lessons, hacking and livery stables in a superb location just off the Sandstone Trail. The Willingtons, Willington. 01829 751920.
McDonald Portal Golf Club and Country Club
Voted ‘Golf Course of the Year’ in 1995, Portal’s Championship course is reputedly one of northern Europe’s finest courses. Members’ bars, driving range, putting green, shop, function rooms, private rooms and conference facilities. Cobblers Cross Lane, Tarporley. 01829 733933.
Tattenhall Marina
A new, quality 300-berth canal boat marina on the Bolesworth Estate in rural Cheshire. Ideally suited for cruising on some of Britain’s loveliest canals. Close to the Cheshire Ice Cream Farm and the picturesque village of Tattenhall. Chandlery and convenience store. 01829 771742.
Cheshire Fishing
Five spring-fed lakes set in beautiful open countryside overlooking Beeston Castle and the Cheshire Plain. Lakes are stocked several times a week with rainbow trout up to 27lb in weight. Monday-Friday, 8am–dusk. Saturday and Sunday, 7am–dusk. Platts Lane, Tattenhall. 01829 770041.
Superbole
The Superbole mountain boarding centre at Harthill on the Sandstone Trail is one of the Britain’s best extreme sports venues. Mountain boarding is snowboarding with wheels and is massively popular with teenagers. The centre has top class facilities including a jib park, fourcross downhill track and a downhill mountain bike course. Amazing fun!
Hampton Springs Fishery
Eight spring-fed lakes covering over 12 acres of water in the heart of the south Cheshire countryside. Emphasis on providing a mixed bag of fish, with carp of over 20lbs. Open every day from March 1st to December 24th, and weekends only from the end of December to the end of February. Open 8am-8pm or dusk in summer, and dawn to dusk in winter. Shay Lane, Hampton. 01948 820789.
Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail is a lively place.
