It’s not far from home but has some excellent walks, campsites things to do etc… a short journey as it’s just off the M56.
We set off on a cold day with plenty of rain showers but made the most of it. Remember all our routes can be done summer or winter, some friends have done the winter routes and planned them ready for summer.
We headed for Helsby Hill for the views and the woodland walk around the quarry.
The kids will like the tunnel in the quarry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Ql72xmzOs://
As its name suggests, this site was once a working quarry called Mountskill Quarry. Sandstone was extracted on the site from the early 1800s until the 1920s.
The site had its own tramway which brought the stone to Ince Pier and on to barges to Liverpool. Once quarrying ceased on the site it was used as a tip until it was reclaimed and transformed in the late 1980s. The site was acquired by the Borough Council in 1988 and was formally opened in 1990.
The geology of the site is one of its main features and it is designated a Regionally Important Geological site. The site is part of the Helsby Sandstone formation which is a result of activity 280-250 million years ago. The rock wall and tunnel within the site were formed during the Triassic period from river deposits and sand dunes.
Free carpark here
Helsby Quarry
Alvanley Road
Cheshire
Helsby
WA6 9PT
We then headed for coffee at Manley Mere, most people we meet have never heard of it! £2 to park and it’s dog friendly.
It’s great for a day out or just coffee, we sometimes go after work for a walk and coffee as its so tranquil.
They also have an adventure playground. Take a change of clothes!
Some other local attractions:
http://www.blakemerevillage.com
This is a collection shops and attractions on the A556 Chester road CW8 2EB, all the usual stuff antique shops, candle shops etc but also has some good extras, Play Barn, Birds of Prey, kids activities, Campsite, even has a small brewery. https://sandiwayales.co.uk
Delamere Forest, possibly the most well known in the area, loads of walks, birdwatchers, cycle routes, often has concerts in the summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXjr5aHrG7U://
https://www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest
Lady Heyes is a very nice camping / glamping site with some craft and antique shops on it. It has two websites.
The shops offer the usual Tea room, specialist small shops and antiques / collectables, and a play barn for the kids, it’s dog friendly apart from one shop.
http://www.ladyheyes.co.uk/units/business.php?ref=251301988909
You can make this a short day or long weekend, plenty of local accommodation and only 30 minutes from Liverpool and Chester.