Mid Cheshire Ridge facts for kids

Peckforton ridge, showing Beeston Castle (left) and Peckforton Castle (right). The Beeston Gap is on the far left

The Mid Cheshire Ridge is a line of low sandstone hills in Cheshire, North West England. These hills stretch from north to south. The ridge is not one continuous line. It has two main parts: a northern group of hills and a southern group. The southern hills are called the Peckforton Hills. The larger group of hills to the north does not have a special name.

Highest Points on the Ridge

Beeston Castle hill

Raw Head

The highest point on the Mid Cheshire Ridge is Raw Head. It is in the Peckforton Hills and stands about 227 meters (745 feet) above sea level. Many other important hills are part of the ridge. Here are some of them, listed from north to south:

• Beacon Hill (150 m), 53°17′05″N 2°43′20″W / 53.2846°N 2.7222°W / 53.2846; -2.7222 (Beacon Hill) (Frodsham)
• Woodhouse Hill (145 m), 53°16′35″N 2°44′07″W / 53.2763°N 2.7352°W / 53.2763; -2.7352 (Woodhouse Hill) (Frodsham)
• Helsby Hill (140 m), 53°16′25″N 2°45′49″W / 53.2737°N 2.7635°W / 53.2737; -2.7635 (Helsby Hill) (Helsby)
• Alvanley Cliff (135 m), 53°15′35″N 2°44′08″W / 53.2597°N 2.7356°W / 53.2597; -2.7356 (Alvanley Cliff) (Alvanley)
• Birch Hill (158 m), 53°15′33″N 2°43′05″W / 53.2591°N 2.7180°W / 53.2591; -2.7180 (Birch Hill) (Manley)
• Old Pale (176 m), 53°13′18″N 2°41′07″W / 53.2217°N 2.6854°W / 53.2217; -2.6854 (Old Pale) (Delamere)
• Eddisbury Hill (158 m), 53°13′12″N 2°40′19″W / 53.2200°N 2.6720°W / 53.2200; -2.6720 (Eddisbury Hill) (Delamere)
• Primrosehill (158 m), 53°12′30″N 2°41′44″W / 53.2083°N 2.6955°W / 53.2083; -2.6955 (Primrosehill) (Delamere)
• High Billinge (175 m), 53°11′28″N 2°40′04″W / 53.1910°N 2.6679°W / 53.1910; -2.6679 (High Billinge) (Utkinton)
• Luddington Hill (145 m), 53°10′36″N 2°39′08″W / 53.1766°N 2.6522°W / 53.1766; -2.6522 (Luddington Hill) (Utkinton)
• Beeston Gap (This is a break in the hills)
• Beeston Castle Hill (155 m), 53°07′44″N 2°41′37″W / 53.1288°N 2.6935°W / 53.1288; -2.6935 (Beeston Castle Hill) (Beeston)
• Stanner Nab (200 m), 53°06′39″N 2°42′06″W / 53.1109°N 2.7016°W / 53.1109; -2.7016 (Stanner Nab) (Peckforton)
• Peckforton Hill (203 m), 53°05′48″N 2°42′10″W / 53.0968°N 2.7028°W / 53.0968; -2.7028 (Peckforton Hill) (Peckforton)
• Burwardsley Hill (186 m), 53°05′43″N 2°42′33″W / 53.0952°N 2.7092°W / 53.0952; -2.7092 (Burwardsley Hill) (Burwardsley)
• Bulkeley Hill (220 m), 53°05′33″N 2°42′28″W / 53.0925°N 2.7077°W / 53.0925; -2.7077 (Bulkeley Hill) (Bulkeley)
• Bickerton Hill (Raw Head) (227 m), 53°04′35″N 2°44′39″W / 53.0763°N 2.7441°W / 53.0763; -2.7441 (Bickerton Hill (Raw Head)) (Bickerton and Harthill)
• Bickerton Hill (south) (193 m), 53°04′32″N 2°44′45″W / 53.0756°N 2.7459°W / 53.0756; -2.7459 (Bickerton Hill (south)) (Bickerton)
• Maiden Castle (210 m), 53°04′15″N 2°45′04″W / 53.0709°N 2.7512°W / 53.0709; -2.7512 (Maiden Castle) (Bickerton & Duckington)

How the Hills Were Formed (Geology)

Close-up of sandstone rock

The hills are made of different types of sandstone rock. These rocks formed millions of years ago during the Permian and Triassic periods. The Earth's crust moved, causing "faults" (cracks) in the ground. These faults pushed the harder rock layers upwards. This is why the hills stand higher than the flat land around them, called the Cheshire Plain. The very highest parts of the hills are usually made of a strong rock called Helsby Sandstone.

During the last ice age, a huge sheet of Irish Sea ice tried to move across this area. The Mid Cheshire Ridge acted like a wall, blocking the ice. As the ice melted, it carved out many "meltwater channels" in the hills. These are like deep grooves or valleys. Some of these channels formed under the ice itself. Two amazing examples are Urchin's Kitchen in Primrosehill Woods and Holbitch Slack near Cotebrook.

Ancient Hill Forts

Many ancient Iron Age hill forts are found along the ridge. These were old settlements or forts built on high ground for protection. You can find them from Woodhouse Hill and Helsby Hill in the north. Others include Eddisbury, Kelsborrow Castle, and Maiden Castle in the south.

Fun Things to Do (Recreation)

The Mid Cheshire Ridge is a great place for outdoor activities. The popular Sandstone Trail runs along the ridge. This is a long walking path. It was first created between Beacon Hill and Grindley Brook. Now, it has been extended further north into Frodsham and south into Whitchurch.

Other walking paths also explore parts of the ridge. These include sections of the Delamere Way, Longster Trail, and Eddisbury Way.

Many of the woods along the ridge are used for orienteering competitions. Orienteering is a sport where you use a map and compass to find your way. Horseriding is also popular here. Many bridleways, byways, and green lanes cross the area. These are special paths where horses can be ridden.