Section 4 of 6, Sandstone Trail
Beeston Castle to Bickerton Church
5.8 miles (9.4 km). About 2½ hours, moderate.
Start: SJ 540 593. Finish: SJ 510 535. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 308 m of climbing and 252 m of descent; highest point 226 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Beeston Castle.
- Bus stops
- Beeston, Peckforton Road / Education Centre, 730 m from the start. Directions SJ 541 586Beeston, Moss Lane / Brook Lane, 780 m from the start. Directions SJ 543 586Beeston, Dean Bank / Brook Lane, 800 m from the start. Directions SJ 547 591
Getting back
The section finishes at Bickerton Church. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Bickerton, Brunty Bank / Holy Trinity Church, 40 m from the finish. Directions SJ 510 536Bickerton, Long Lane / Institute, 230 m from the finish. Directions SJ 509 537Gallantry Bank, Wrexham Road / Phone Box, 750 m from the finish. Directions SJ 516 539
Planning the Sandstone Trail
- Planning the whole trail: sandstonetrail.co.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Official Guide: Walking Cheshire's Sandstone Trail (Northern Eye Books).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 18%, gravel and tracks 17%, earth, rock and mud 9%, grass 5%; the rest (51%) isn't recorded.
About 18% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 stile, 13 kissing gates, 5 gates, 6 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 68 m in a kilometre (1 in 15), starting 1.3 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Café
- Sandstone Cafe, Beeston: 0.3 miles in. Seats outside.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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