Bickerton Hill

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Northern Bickerton Hill, with Musket's Hole crags

Heathland on the summit of the southern Bickerton Hill

Rampart of Maiden Castle

Bickerton Hill refers to two low red sandstone hills in West Cheshire. The northerly hill (227m) lies on the north side of the A534, south-west of the Peckforton Hills. The southerly hill (193m) lies on the south side of the A534, immediately north-west of the hamlet of Bickerton.

The Sandstone Trail runs over the top of the two hills, and the area is popular with walkers.

[edit] Site of Special Scientific Interest

The birch woods and heathland of the southerly hill have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest as one of the few lowland heath sites remaining in Cheshire. Around 300 acres are managed by the National Trust. Recent management has aimed to preserve the heathland from encroachment by birches.

The area is rich in wildlife, including reptiles (adder, slow-worm and common lizard), birds (pied flycatcher, nuthatch, treecreeper, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker and several species of raptor) and insects (Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Green Hairstreak butterflies, Bleached Pug and Alder Kitten moths, glow worm and soldier beetle).

Heathland plants include ling, bell heather, cross leaved heath, wavy hair grass and bilberry.

[edit] Maiden Castle

An iron age promontory hill fort dated around 600 BC, Maiden Castle, is located on the southernmost peak of the southerly hill at 212m. The double line of earth ramparts are still visible, forming a semi-circle that encloses an area of 1.3 acres adjacent to the cliff edge. The enclosure has a single entrance with inturned defensive banks. Both ramparts are strengthened by dry stone walling, according to archeological investigation; the inner rampart also has timber strapping.

The fort was destroyed by fire in around 400 BC, although the area was probably used as a settlement until around the 1st century AD. The site is well preserved despite 17th century quarrying of the area. The remaining earthworks have been designated a Scheduled Monument.

[edit] External links

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