Frodsham

Steep sandstone escarpments rise dramatically above this market town, offering some of the finest elevated views across the Cheshire Plain to the Mersey estuary. Frodsham sits at the foot of a proper ridge walk that takes in Frodsham Hill, Woodhouse Hill, and the ancient earthworks of Woodhouses Hill Fort - Iron Age fortifications that commanded this strategic position for good reason.

The town itself keeps a low profile. Main Street has the usual mix of independent shops and cafes, though it's quieter midweek than you might expect for somewhere so well-connected. What draws people here is the countryside on the doorstep. Frodsham Woods sprawls across the hillsides above town, criss-crossed with footpaths that lead through beech and oak to sudden clearings with cracking views. Mersey View does exactly what it says - on clear days you can see right across to Liverpool.

Walking the ridge is the main event. The path from Frodsham Hill to Helsby takes about two hours at a steady pace, threading between Birch Hill and Foxhill with glimpses of the Mersey through the trees. Alvanley Cliff marks the western end of the escarpment, while Harmer's Wood provides a gentler alternative for families. Castle Park Nature Reserve, just outside town, offers easier terrain if the hills feel like a bit of a trek.

Frodsham sits on the railway line between Chester and Manchester, making it properly accessible without a car. The M56 runs close by too. Delamere Forest lies just to the south - another draw for walkers and cyclists. Staying at one of the holiday parks around Delamere gives you the best of both worlds: forest trails and sandstone ridges within easy reach.