Bringing Cheshire's Iron Age hill forts to life with stories and imagination

2 July 2009

Local people are being urged to come and join the Journey Man and listen to a series of imaginative and enthralling stories about Cheshire's landscape and spectacular countryside.

Tales on the Trail is a unique event where the Journey Man will be walking the entire length of the Sandstone Trail over four days.

From Whitchurch to Frodsham the 34 miles covers lowland pasture and upland heath all the way along the Sandstone Ridge.

At the end of each day the Journey Man will arrive at one of the six Iron Age hill forts on route to tell stories.

This event is being held as part of the Habitats and Hill Forts Landscape Partnership through which almost £1.4 million of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund is helping to conserve the ridge's Iron Age hill forts and wildlife habitats, with the aim of encouraging more people visit them and get more involved in their area’s landscape heritage.

Culture and Recreation executive member for Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Richard Short said: "This is a marvellous way for people to get to know more about the wonderful area we live in. Entertaining, educational and truly revealing I would encourage people to attend these unique sessions"

• The event begins on Thursday, 23 July, with the first story at Maiden Castle, on Bickerton Hill. People should gather at Pool Lane car park, Goldford Lane at 7pm. Join the Journey Man with a stroll across the hill and listen to his stories enjoying the view from Maiden Castle.
• Continuing his walk the following day, Friday, 24 July, the Journey Man will arrive at Beeston Castle. Meet at the castle car park at 7pm and join the procession to the top of the castle where another exciting and inspirational story will be told against a backdrop of spectacular views to the north and south of Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge.
• Saturday 25 July. Meet the Journey Man at the Boot Inn, Kelsall at 4pm. Walk together to the top of Kelsborrow Castle where the grassy slopes will provide an ideal theatre-like setting for story session number three.
• Sunday 26 July, sees the last leg of the trail. Join the Journey Man before he continues to the end of the Trail at Woodhouse Hill. The wooded hill is an enchanting setting for the final story. Meet on the Trail at 3pm just off Ridgeway Lane.

All stories are expected to last approximately an hour. At each of the venues you will join the Journey Man, walking towards the Iron Age Hillforts which provide the ideal background for the exciting and captivating stories to be told.

Terrain may be uneven in parts and stout shoes are recommended as well as waterproof clothes and something to sit on. Please note the differing start times of each of the events, and look out for the Habitats and Hillforts flags for guidance on where to park on the evening.

For more detailed information on each of the events please visit www.habitatsandhillforts.co.uk/ . Booking is essential. Please contact Ellie on 01244 973195, or email habitatsandhillforts@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk to book your places.

The scheme is supported Cheshire West and Chester Council,  Cheshire Community Action, English Heritage, Forestry Commission, National Trust, Woodland Trust, Cheshire Landscape Trust and private landowners as well as the Mersey Forest.