Peckforton Hills

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View from Stanner Nab on the Peckforton ridge
View from Stanner Nab on the Peckforton ridge

The Peckforton Hills are a sandstone ridge running broadly north–south in the west of the English county of Cheshire. Bulkeley Hill (grid reference SJ525552) stands at the south end, and the ridge is continued southwards by Bickerton Hill.

The high points are Peckforton Point (SJ529557; 203 m), immediately north of Bulkeley Hill, and Stanner Nab (SJ531573; 200 m), towards the northern end of the ridge.

Settlements around the hills include Burwardsley to the west, Beeston to the north, Peckforton to the east and Bulkeley to the south.

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[edit] Features

Woodland on Stanner Nab
Woodland on Stanner Nab

The Sandstone Trail long-distance footpath runs along the ridge, and the hills are the source of both the River Weaver and the River Gowy. A 57.88 hectares area of Peckforton Woods has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1] Bulkeley Hill is owned by the National Trust, and its wooded slopes include 12 acres (5 hectares) of semi-natural ancient woodland.[2] Peckforton and Bulkeley Hills have also both been designated county sites of biological importance for their woodland and grassland habitats.[3]

Peckforton Castle, a Victorian mansion built in the style of a medieval castle, stands at the northern end of the Peckforton ridge.[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Natural England: Nature on the Map (search for "Peckforton Woods", site code 1002189) (accessed 13 February 2008)
  2. ^ The National Trust Handbook for Members and Visitors 2008, p.265
  3. ^ Borough of Crewe & Nantwich: Nature Conservation Sites (accessed 14 February 2008)
  4. ^ Images of England: Peckforton Castle (accessed 13 February 2008)

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 53.1° N 2.7° W