Peckforton Hills facts for kids
The Peckforton Hills are a range of hills in Cheshire, England. They are made of sandstone and run from northeast to southwest. These hills are an important part of the longer Mid Cheshire Ridge, which stretches from Frodsham down to Malpas.
The highest points in the Peckforton Hills include Peckforton Point, which is 203 meters (about 666 feet) high, and Stanner Nab, which is 200 meters (about 656 feet) high. Bulkeley Hill, at 224 meters (about 735 feet), is also a tall part of the hills.
Many villages are located around the hills. These include Burwardsley to the west, Beeston to the north, Peckforton and Bunbury to the east, and Bulkeley to the south. Every year on Ascension Day, people from St Boniface Church in Bunbury walk to the top of Stanner Nab for a special sunset service.
What the Hills are Made Of
The Peckforton Hills are formed from layers of sedimentary rock. These rocks are a type of sandstone from the Triassic period, which was about 250 million years ago! This group of rocks is known as the New Red Sandstone.
The oldest rocks are at the bottom. They are called the Wilmslow Sandstone Formation. On top of these are sandstones from the Helsby Sandstone Formation, which are about 245 million years old. These rock layers are mostly flat, but they tilt slightly towards the east.
Nearby Beeston Castle hill is similar to the Peckforton Hills. It has the same type of rocks. The very top of Beeston Castle hill has a small bit of the Tarporley Siltstone Formation rock.
Long ago, during the last ice age, a huge sheet of ice from the Irish Sea moved south through Cheshire. This ice sheet shaped the land. You can still see several channels around the hills that were carved out by melting ice, especially to the west. One of these is called Peckforton Gap.
Fun Things to Do and See
The Sandstone Trail, a popular long-distance walking path, runs right along the top of the Peckforton Hills. The hills are also where two rivers, the River Weaver and the River Gowy, begin their journey.
A large area of Peckforton Woods, covering about 58 hectares (143 acres), is a special protected place. It is called a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its important plants and animals.
Bulkeley Hill is owned by the National Trust. Its slopes are covered in trees, including 5 hectares (12 acres) of very old natural woodland. Both Peckforton and Bulkeley Hills are important places for nature. They have special woodland and grassland habitats that are home to many different living things.
Peckforton Castle is a large Victorian mansion. It was built to look like a medieval castle. You can find it at the northern end of the Peckforton ridge.
Images for kids
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View from Stanner Nab on the Peckforton ridge
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Woodland on Stanner Nab
