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- Thornton-le-Moors to Frodsham Greenway (via Ince)

Map
Aerial
Grade: Easy (cycling) / Moderate (riding) Distance: 11½km / 7 miles Time: 1 hour (cycling) / 2 hours (riding) Start: ...
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The landscape of Ince, Helsby and Frodsham Marshes is unique. The sea used to inundate this area of low-lying former coastal marsh. In Roman times, the Gowy estuary would have been much wider and at high water only land above a certain height would have been visible.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the monks of St Werburgh's in Chester and the Cistercian Abbey at Stanlow reclaimed land from the sea. They excavated extensive networks of dykes and ditches, many of which were subsequently destroyed by storms and flooding. Despite these setbacks, land reclamation carried on through the ages.

The Manchester Ship Canal was opened to vessels in 1894 and its banks, and subsequent canal dredging deposit dumps, provided perhaps the most effective man-made defence against flooding.

Common reed, widespread on the Marshes, was once harvested on a grand scale to provide thatch for roofs. The Marshes today are largely used as grazing land, with a small area used for grain crops such as wheat and barley. Root crops, such as potato, can be found on the drier fringes of the area.

Peaceful country roads pass by villages and welcoming pubs. Farm tracks cross the low-lying farmland, lagoons and mud flats, home to many birds and wildlife.

Grade

Easy (cycling) / Moderate (riding)

Distance

11½km / 7 miles

Time

1 hour (cycling) / 2 hours (riding)

Start

Junction of A5117 and Thornton Green Lane, Thornton-le-Moors

Map

OS Explorer 266 Wirral & Chester/Caer and 267 Northwich & Delamere Forest

Terrain

Surfaced and unsurfaced roads and tracks, some uneven

Toilets

None

Contact

Cheshire West and Chester Council Cycling Officer: 01244 977440