As I stepped onto the windswept ridge of Bickerton Hill, the Sandstone Trail unfolding before me like an ancient map etched into the landscape. The 18th century's John Harris, a heartbroken hermit who called this very spot home, was long gone, but the memories lingered, a testament to the enduring power of solitude and nature.
My walk, however, had nothing to do with escaping or escaping from – it was about embracing the beauty of winter. With Jose, an old friend, by my side, we set out on a 14-mile journey that promised all the comforts of home: warm rooms, good food, and drink. The Swan in Tarporley, our starting point, had provided the perfect welcome, its roaring open fire crackling like a heartbeat as we mapped out our route.
The Sandstone Trail, an ancient landscape of escarpments and rolling hills, rose from the Cheshire Plain like a mirage on a winter's day. As we followed the trail's waymarks, the Shropshire Union Canal came into view, its tranquil waters a stark contrast to the rugged beauty of the ridge above.
We walked through fields where sloes bloomed alongside hedges that had once been home to pigs and Romans alike. Acorns cracked under our boots as we made our way to Raw Head on Bickerton Hill, the highest point on the trail. The trees here were some of the oldest in the country, their bark bearing the scars of centuries past.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape, we reached our destination – Mad Allen's Hole, a two-storey cave that had once been John Harris' refuge from the world. The wind howled through its entrance like a mournful sigh, but we stood in silence, drinking in the view: nine counties of England and Wales stretching out before us like an unfurled map.
The Lion pub, our final destination, welcomed us with open arms, its windows aglow like embers from a fire long since extinguished. We raised a glass to the views, the food, and – of course – John Harris' story, a perfect winter's walk that would stay with me for years to come.
The package, provided by The Swan in Tarporley and The Lion in Malpas, was nothing short of brilliant: £199pp for dinner, B&B, luggage transfer, a packed lunch, and a taxi back to the start – plus one dog stays free. It was an adventure that promised all the comforts of home, set against the wild beauty of the Cheshire countryside.
As I looked out at the rolling hills and ancient landscapes of the Sandstone Trail, I knew that this walk would be etched into my memory forever – a testament to the power of nature, solitude, and the perfect winter's day.
My walk, however, had nothing to do with escaping or escaping from – it was about embracing the beauty of winter. With Jose, an old friend, by my side, we set out on a 14-mile journey that promised all the comforts of home: warm rooms, good food, and drink. The Swan in Tarporley, our starting point, had provided the perfect welcome, its roaring open fire crackling like a heartbeat as we mapped out our route.
The Sandstone Trail, an ancient landscape of escarpments and rolling hills, rose from the Cheshire Plain like a mirage on a winter's day. As we followed the trail's waymarks, the Shropshire Union Canal came into view, its tranquil waters a stark contrast to the rugged beauty of the ridge above.
We walked through fields where sloes bloomed alongside hedges that had once been home to pigs and Romans alike. Acorns cracked under our boots as we made our way to Raw Head on Bickerton Hill, the highest point on the trail. The trees here were some of the oldest in the country, their bark bearing the scars of centuries past.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape, we reached our destination – Mad Allen's Hole, a two-storey cave that had once been John Harris' refuge from the world. The wind howled through its entrance like a mournful sigh, but we stood in silence, drinking in the view: nine counties of England and Wales stretching out before us like an unfurled map.
The Lion pub, our final destination, welcomed us with open arms, its windows aglow like embers from a fire long since extinguished. We raised a glass to the views, the food, and – of course – John Harris' story, a perfect winter's walk that would stay with me for years to come.
The package, provided by The Swan in Tarporley and The Lion in Malpas, was nothing short of brilliant: £199pp for dinner, B&B, luggage transfer, a packed lunch, and a taxi back to the start – plus one dog stays free. It was an adventure that promised all the comforts of home, set against the wild beauty of the Cheshire countryside.
As I looked out at the rolling hills and ancient landscapes of the Sandstone Trail, I knew that this walk would be etched into my memory forever – a testament to the power of nature, solitude, and the perfect winter's day.
THEY HAD EVERYTHING - WARM ROOMS, GOOD FOOD, AND DRINK - BUT ALSO THE BEAUTY OF NATURE TO KEEP THEM COMPANY. I MEAN WHO DOESNT LOVE A WINTER'S DAY WITH NOTHING MUCH TO DO EXCEPT ENJOY THE SCENERY? 
AND THE FACT THAT THEY GOT TO VISIT AN ANCIENT CAVE THAT WAS ONCE JOHN HARRIS' REFUGE FROM THE WORLD - THAT JUST TAKES IT TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL! 
i love how they mentioned John Harris, the hermit who called that spot home, it adds such a personal touch to the story. and can we talk about the scenery? nine counties of England and Wales stretching out before you is just breathtaking 
the perfect winter's walk with friends sounds like an absolute dream come true 
. who wouldn't want to walk 14 miles through escarpments and rolling hills, taking in the stunning views of Shropshire and Cheshire? 
the idea of stumbling upon ancient landscapes like sloe fields and Roman hedges is just genius 
. anyway, i think what struck me most was how this hike wasn't just about escaping or hiding from the world, but embracing its beauty and solitude. winter is such a special time of year, and doing something like this just feels like the perfect way to make the most of it 
.
? I'm not saying it can't be beautiful or whatever... but I've always thought that hiking is kinda overrated 
. I mean, have you seen those prices for those package deals though? £199pp? That's just crazy money 
! And don't even get me started on the dog staying free – like, what about all the other poor souls who can't bring their furry friends along? 
And the fact that it was all set in this gorgeous winter wonderland landscape? Yeah, that sounds pretty amazing too 
! me & jose went on 14mile journey thru cheshire plains & escarpments. sandstone trail was epic lol had ancient views & stunning vistas. we followed old map etched into land & came across swan in tarporley which gave us amazing package deal 
. raw head on bickerton hill was the highest point tho 
. had to visit john harris' cave & it was like his spirits were there too 
. lion pub in malpas was our final stop & it was so cozy fire place vibes 
. defo doing this again soon 
. Who needs a warm room or good food when you can have frostbite and a soggy lunch? The idea that we're paying £199pp for dinner, B&B, luggage transfer, and all that jazz just seems like a bunch of hooey 
. I mean, what's the real value in getting to stay in some quaint little pub with a roaring open fire when you can experience the thrill of slapping your nose on a frozen tree branch? The whole thing feels like an overpriced tourist trap, but hey, if people want to shell out that kinda cash for a winter wonderland walk, who am I to judge 
.