Scattered across the hilly landscapes of Cheshire East, Peckforton is a historic village near England’s border with Wales. The area has been quarried since Roman times and the settlement of Peckforton was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, which surveyed much of England and Wales.
Hugging the Peckforton Ridge is the Sandstone Trail, a 55-kilometre-long footpath that connects Frodsham with Whitchurch. It takes in scenic farmland, woodland and canal towpaths, as well as an Iron Age hill fort and several Wharton's & Willeymoor locks. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Liverpool from the top of Bickerton Hill.
At the northern end of the ridge is Peckforton Castle, a Victorian replica of a medieval fortification designed by the English architect Anthony Salvin. It was constructed using the same stone that was quarried to carve a nearby elephant sculpture, which is depicted carrying a castle with a turreted gatehouse.
Getting there
Peckforton is around 30 minutes’ drive from Chester and an hour from Liverpool. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 45 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Peckforton and exploring the region.