This post features: Sandbach, Crewe, Nantwich, Chester, Macclesfield, Congleton and Knutsford…
Sandbach
The 9th century Sandbach Stone CrossesThe war memorial in Sandbach market squareThe Lower Chequer dates from 1570St Mary’s Church – only open for servicesThe Old Hall dates from 1656…Sandbach Town Hall – the building dates back to 1889 and still has many of its original Victorian Gothic features.Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and built between 1857-8 in a Gothic styleThe Swan and Chequers was built in 1893 on the site of the former corn exchange. Originally a Kay’s Atlas Brewery Ltd of Ardwick, Manchester pub, taken over by Robinson’s in 1929.
Crewe
All Saints Church in Crewe: closed and boarded upWW1 Memorial in CreweThe town hall and old market to the leftI hadn’t expected Crewe to be quite so grimCrewe was created when the Grand Junction Railway Company opened its Liverpool to Birmingham line in 1837 and then transferred its railway works to Crewe in 1843. The town was incorporated in 1877. There are plans to regenerate the town centre.Crewe town centre
Nantwich
St Mary’s Church:
Construction of St Mary’s Church began in 1280 but wasn’t completed until 1390. Constructed from red sandstone on a cruciform plan with an octagonal tower. The South Porch was added in the late 15th or early 16th centuries and in the 1570s the nave roof was raised and clerestory windows inserted. By the 19th century the church had fallen into a state of disrepair and was considered unsafe. A national collection raised funds for restoration and between 1855 and 1861 extensive restoration was undertaken under the guidance of Sir George Gilbert Scott…
Black and White:
I stayed at The Crown Hotel during my first visit. It was rebuilt in 1585 after the Great Fire of Nantwich in 1583…NantwichNantwich
Street Scenes:
The Nantwich MuseumA pilloryThe Nantwich Millennium ClockThe toilet doors in The White Horse
Chester
The Railway Station:
It’s hard to tell if this is a worthy attempt at rewilding or simply years of neglect…
The Cathedral:
The Cathedral of Chester, dedicated to Christ and the Virgin Mary was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1092…Rebuilding started in 1250 and continued for the next 275 yearsThe Cathedral from the city wallsA big model railway exhibition was underway and generating lots of interest…This is quite neat – my “brick” is not in-situ yet – the model was almost complete when I revisited in August 2024
Other Churches:
Ruins of part of the church of St John – the cathedral of Chester until 1541Founded in 689 by Ethelred, King of Mercia and St Wilfrid of Ripon. The tower collapsed during Easter in 1881A 14th century wall painting
The Walls:
Walking around the city along the walls (2 miles) is a nice way to see the cityThe Cathedral gardens are just to the rightThe city walls are undergoing renovationThe city gates aren’t as ornate as those in YorkThe remains of the Roman amphitheatre
Riverside & Canalside:
The River DeeThe Shropshire Union CanalThe Shropshire Union Canal
Eastgate Clock:
Views From The Eastgate Bridge:
Black and White:
City Streets:
The Falconry:
Chester Cathedral has a falconry. and this is a Gyr Falcon – I later watched this beautiful bird flying – he was pretty much allowed to fly where he wanted during the display – teasing Herring Gulls and frightening the bejesus out of pigeons…Much too fast to capture in flight, these pictures show him tetheredA Harris HawkAn Indian Eagle Owl
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is famous for its silk mills – the first of which opened in 1743 and was where, in 1886, Hovis started life under the catchy name of Smith’s Patent Germ Flour…
St Michael’s Church:
St Michael’s dates from 1278The Savage Chapel, where the 7th and 8th Lord and Lady Savage lieMore Savages
108 Steps:
Silk:
Macclesfield became the world’sleading producer of silk and by 1832 there were 71 silk mills…
The Silk Mill Museum Lots of interesting exhibitsPaterson, in New York State, was the silk centre of the USA and many people from Macclesfield emigrated there and set up silk millsThe Barnaby Weeks – the mills used to close in June for their annual holiday – it is thought they were called “Barnaby” after St Barnabas, whose feast day is June 11th
Pubs:
The Society Rooms (to the left) is a WetherspoonIn addition to the Red Willow Brewery tap room, there is a Joseph Holt pub, a Hyde’s pub and several Robinson’s pubs in the town…R&G’s Beer Vault is a friendly, quirky micro pub – separated from the equally good Five Clouds micro pub by a very nice Thai restaurant…
Street Art:
The Snow Goose has this eye catching mural – the bar has cask beers from the Wincle Brewery…
The Town:
Macclesfield sits in the Bollin Valley – the River Bollin is a tributary of the River Mersey…If you arrive by train this building is probably the first thing you’ll notice – founded by Antonio Arighi and brother in law Antonio Bianchi – building of the landmark store began in 1892 and the design was apparently inspired by the Crystal Palace of 1851… The Town Hall dates from 1824Market SquareA great place for breakfast…It’s a dog friendly town…The Heritage Centre is home to various cultural centres…Gates of Privilege: Kings School dates from 1502
Congleton
Congleton Town HallAnother fine Wetherspoon – not that I went inside – I should have done as they normally have lots of historical photosThe glorious Lion and SwanThe Congleton MuseumSt Peter’s has a fine, decorative Georgian interior but opening hours are restricted.
Knutsford
St John’s Church was built between 1741-4St John’s Church interiorThe Gaskell Memorial Tower was built in 1907 to honour the author Elizabeth GaskellNarrow streets, narrow pavements, lots of traffic…The former Town Hall was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and built in 1871 – it’s now a restaurant…Knutsford is posh – it has a very swish Booths supermarket…
