Kelsall: Walking and Local History

Kelsall offers two distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: walking trails and scenery on the one hand, and historic buildings on the other. If you are looking for a hotel in Kelsall, these themes can help you tailor your stay to your interests.

Walking trails around Kelsall

A continuous public footpath leads from Kelsall via Kelsborrow Castle to the Boot Inn. From there, you can complete a circular walk via Willington Lane. FP9, a popular footpath, follows the Roman road from the corner of Stoney Lane and Eddisbury Hill to Kelsall. Before reaching the village, FP9 crosses the Sandstone Trail, which can be followed in either direction to create alternative circular walks.

At 27 kilometres, the Eddisbury Way covers a different scale. It runs from Frodsham via Manley Common to Kelsall, Weetwood Common and Duddon. Near Burwardsley in the Peckforton Hills, it connects to the Sandstone Trail. The routes mentioned therefore differ not only in their course, but also in whether you are considering a walk in and around Kelsall or a long-distance trail.

A published map and guide to Kelsall’s public rights of way includes six circular walks. Another walking route leads via the “39 Steps” to Kels Fort; the descent follows “Little Switzerland”. Extra care may be needed on steep sections. As trail conditions and signage can change, it is advisable to check the current route before setting out.

Scenery and views

Kelsall lies in a hollow on the southwest-facing slope of the Mid Cheshire Ridge. A short climb to Pale Heights opens up a panorama in suitable visibility: it stretches from the Mersey coast via Winter Hill and the Pennines along the central ridge to Shropshire. Beyond the Marches, the view extends to the Clwyds and the Dee. How much you can see depends on the weather.

Natural rock outcrops can be found at Urchins Kitchen in Primrose Hill Wood and at Hanging Stones on Old Pale. Together with the Pale Heights viewpoint, these named landscape features offer different points of reference for the area around Kelsall.

Historic buildings and village character

The Kelsall Conservation Area was first designated in 1980. It covers only the lower part of the settlement and forms an important entrance to the village. Rookery Farm is the only listed building within this area. Dating from the early 17th century, it is timber-framed and finished with brick and plaster.

Kelsall Hall is a Grade II listed farmhouse dating from the early 18th century. It was extended in the later 18th century, and its front was remodelled in the early to mid-19th century. The Church of St Phillip is also Grade II listed. T Bower of Nantwich built it in 1860 from roughly hewn, light beige sandstone. It has a slate roof with a red-tile ridge.

The lock-up at Weldon House probably dates from the early to mid-19th century. It is made of roughly hewn, light beige sandstone, is about six metres high and has a semicircular ground plan. A flat roof of massive stone slabs tops the structure. Another historic feature is the ploughed-out earthwork of the Roman road, which is still visible in a field west of Hollands Lane in Kelsall.

Discover more destinations: Tilston, Ledsham, Mobberley, Crewe, Holmes Chapel, Neston, Macclesfield, Tattenhall.

For the broader travel overview: Cheshire.