Easy hikes and walks around Cuerdley

Victoria park was opened in 1900 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is built on the former Appleton House estate and was created by the local council with funds collected via a public subscription. The park contains a Grade II listed war memorial pillar incorporating detailed carvings and standing more than 16m high, the memorial is a striking and prominent architectural building. The pillar was designed by Harold E Davies and unveiled by the 17th Earl of Derby in a ceremony on 28 September 1921 after a civic parade from Widnes Town Hall. The memorial cost £6,000 and was paid for by public subscription. The sculptural additions were undertaken by the national artist Herbert Tyson Smith. There is a memorial fountain in honour of William Ewart Gladstone. A milestone marker, with plaque, commemorates the last effective Zeppelin air raid of World War I in England. Five Zeppelins dropped bombs in Widnes, Ince and Wigan. There is a statue of Sgt. Thomas Mottershead V.C., DCM (1892–1917) who was born in Widnes and was awarded a Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in World War I. There is also a combined memorial headstone for Mottershead and two other recipients of the V.C. from Halton namely Thomas Wilkinson and Thomas Alfred Jones. Thomas Mottershead was born in Widnes, Lancashire on 17 January 1892. He was the son of Thomas and Lucy Mottershead. He studied engineering at Widnes Technical School and was apprenticed as a fitter and turner after leaving school. In February 1914, he married Lilian Medlicott Bree and the couple had a son, Sydney, the following year. Mottershead was living at 31 Lilac Avenue in Widnes and working as a garage mechanic when World War I broke out. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 10 August 1914 as a mechanic, and was posted to the Central Flying school at Upavon and was promoted to Sergeant on 1 April 1916. In May 1916 he began pilot training and on 9 June he obtained his Flying Certificate. He was posted to No.25 Squadron at St Omer, flying the FE 2, on 6 July 1916 and saw action in the Battle of the Somme. Wikipedia

The Ferry Tavern (formerly The Ferry Inn) is one of Warrington’s oldest pubs. It has arguably the best setting in the town nestling on its own island between the River Mersey and the Sankey to St Helen’s canal. It is in a unique position situated on the Trans Pennine Trail attracting hikers, ramblers, cyclists, and horse riders as they make their way along the trail. A charming olde worlde inn, The Ferry is light and airy in the summer where customers can take advantage of the views over the river from our large beer garden and welcoming in the winter with a roaring stove fire. Andy and Jade have been licensees here since May 2005 after taking over the business from Jade’s parents Pat and Terry who took over the pub in 1992 after it had been derelict for 2 years following fire damage.

Nice place to rest

good pint with great views

Great pub perfect for a rest and a beer

Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, situated on the edge of Runcorn, is one of Cheshire's hidden gems. Once home to a medieval church, this is the most excavated monastic site in Europe. Visitors can explore the 12th century undercroft with beautiful vaulted ceiling and the priory ruins showing the layout of the medieval buildings. Norton Priory was founded in 1134, and achieved mitred abbey status in 1391. Two key families have links to the site: the Dutton family and the Brooke family. The Duttons supported and engaged with Norton Priory as a monastic site, up until the Dissolution in 1536. The Brooke family made Norton Priory their home between 1545 and 1921, when they left the site to move to a new home in Worcestershire. The museum displays thousands of objects discovered at the site, which tell the 900-year history from priory to mansion house and the stories of the people who lived here. The most impressive object in the museum is the twice life-size St Christopher statue.

Chi Café is a community café and offers lots of activities for local residents, as well as an affordable, delicious menu. From homemade cakes to breakfast and lunch items, there is lots to keep you full of energy, so that you can enjoy the park and surrounding attractions. The address is: Phoenix Park Avenue, Castlefields, Runcorn, WA7 2LW

Information about the good pub can be found here: https://www.theferrytavern.com/