Cycling the Cheshire Cycleway
Route facts
Waterways:
Shropshire Union Canal »
Distance: 20.5 miles / 32.8 km
Duration: 3 hours
Starts at: Beeston
Ends at: Ellesmere Port
This route is part of the Chesire Cycleway which was originally created by Bob Clift in the early 1980s. This particular route takes you along the scenic Shropshire Union Canal and is fully signed both ways. There are many attractions along the way for you to enjoy.
Getting there
Public transport: There are train stations along the route.
Waypoints
1. Beeston to Huxley (3 miles / 4.8km)
The route begins close to Beeston Castle which stands 500ft above the Chesire plain, looking out over the Pennines. You will cycle North towards the Shropshire Union Canal, crossing over the canal by a pub. There is also the Old Fire Station Chocolate shop selling handmade chocolates. At this point, the route goes West before arriving in Huxley. Close by is Chesire Farm Ice Cream, where you can buy over 30 flavours of award-winning ice cream. There is also a pub when you come to the end of this section
2. Huxley to Waverton ( 5miles / 8km)
The route continues to take you West and you will come to the Shropshire Union Canal where you will cycle along it before arriving in Waverton.
3. Waverton to Chester (5 miles / 8km)
Shortly after setting off from Waverton, cross over the Shropshire Union Canal, pass some shops and, later, a pub. Passing through Christleton, you will again cross over the canal and pass a pub before travelling once again along the canal before arriving in Chester. There is a train station in Chester, pubs, parking facilites, toilets and places to stay. Chester is also home to Britain's biggest zoo, with over 6000 animals. The zoo is open everyday except Christmas Day and has 110 acres for you to discover.
4. Chester to Stoak (5 miles / 8km)
The route continues along the Shropshire Union Canal going North and crossing over the Millenium Route. When you come to the A41, you need to cross over it to carry on along the canal. This is a traffic free route and will switch to a towpath by Pretty Bridge. The towpath is due to be fully completed in Summer 2003. The towpath will lead you into Stoak where there are pubs for those needing refreshments.
5. Stoak to Ellesmere Port (2.5 miles / 4km)
This section of the route continues to take you along the picturesque Shropshire Union Canal, close to the Blue Planet Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the UK, past Chesire Oaks Outlet Village. You need to continue cycling along the towpath and you will arrive at Ellesmere Port. There is a train station nearby and the Boat Museum which holds the world's largest floating collection of historic inland waterways craft. The museum is open 10:00 - 17:00 April to October and 11:00 - 16:00 November to March (closed Thursdays and Fridays)
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