Primrosehill Wood, Cheshire

From the woodland-edge King's Gate parking, turn R along the lane to reach the sharp-R bend in 400m. Turn L across the green here (pond to your L), directly in front of Lower Fold Cottage (on your R) to use a kissing-gate located beyond the strip of holly trees in the far corner. Pursue the fenced path through the lumpy environs of Kelsborrow hillfort, created here 2,000 years ago (A). Clear days reveal views across to the shapely ridge of the distant Clwydian Hills. Another kissing-gate accesses steps down into hidden Boothsdale, named ‘Little Switzerland’ by delighted Edwardian walkers – great views stretch ahead along the length of the Sandstone Ridge here. Trace the ledged path along the dale’s edge, gaining firstly a grassy track, then shortly a tarred lane at the eye-catchingly modernist Hillside Cottage. To find The Boot Inn [400m away], divert back-R here along the fingerposted, hedged path (signed Boothsdale), then return. Otherwise keep ahead on the lane to reach a T-junction.

Bear L up Roughlow, rising steadily on the lane snaking up the wooded dell, advancing to the junction with Waste Lane (L). Keep R here along Tirley Lane. Bend sharp-R in 200m; at the nearby next bend fork R onto the hedged track, signed as the Sandstone Trail for Beeston Castle. Continue gently downhill to reach the tarred lane in 1km. Turn L here; the Sandstone Trail soon departs R, but we stay on the lane. Pass ‘The Willingtons’ farm (R); then in a further 150m turn L up the surfaced drive signed for Higher Barn Farm. There's also a Delamere Loop [DL] bridleway sign at this corner.

About 85m up this driveway, fork R with the bridleway (waymarked through a rickety gate) and pursue it up the wooded strip beside the renowned landscaped gardens of Tirley Garth. This presently emerges onto a lane. Turn R and walk 400m to reach the junction for Utkinton (R).

Take the lesser lane on the L here, signed for a cattery and the DL, entering Primrosehill Woods. The undulating forest road meanders through the mixed woods. To your R on a bend across a gully, a small building marks the possible site of a medicinal healing well cistern called Whistlebitch, popular 420 years ago (B). Upon reaching the gateway entrance to Primrosehill House, turn R on the lesser track, continuing past a barrier and advance through the woods, staying with the main track (ignore side-paths at a beech grove and remain on the waymarked DL). At the lowest point, hairpin L; presently pass below cables, then climb easily to a grassy fork about 100m after another sharp-L bend.

Bear R here on the lesser track, dropping gently and soon skimming the wood’s edge beside a horse gallop before rising L to rejoin the wider track (DL) in another 350m. Turn R along this wider forestry roadway. In a further 250m is a signed junction with the Sandstone Trail. Here, divert R along the narrow forest path signed for Urchin’s Kitchen (C). This leads into a tranquil, fern-hung chasm cut into the sandstone by ice-age meltwaters 12000 years ago. Explore with care, then return to the main track. Turn R (Sandstone Trail); then in 75m keep L (leave Sandstone Trail) up the wide forestry road (DL) to return to King's Gate car park.