Bradt launches first modern guide to Cheshire

Slow Travel Cheshire, the first guide to the county in modern times, has just been released by Bradt Guides, one of the UK’s biggest guidebook publishers.

The new guide, which officially launched at the new Storyhouse arts centre in Chester on Wednesday 20 June, ditches the tourist tick-list in favour of taking time to savour the moment and get a sense of place by celebrating the county’s landscape and traditions, people and produce.

From the beaches of the Wirral peninsula to the foothills of the Peak District, Slow Travel Cheshire uncovers the diverse terrain beyond the county’s famous plain. Along the way, Cheshire’s rich heritage is also revealed, including the biggest Roman fortress in Britain, battlegrounds that changed the course of the English Civil War, and the mills, mines and canals that powered the silk and salt industries.

While the book features world-famous attractions such as Jodrell Bank, more unusual sights get a look-in, too – the Willaston World Worm-Charming Championships, for instance. From stately homes and gardens to contemporary art centres and cutting-edge museums, no corner of the county is left uncovered. And there are starring roles for a diverse cast of famous characters, among their number William the Conqueror, Elizabeth Gaskell and Buffalo Bill.

Aimed at locals, as well as visitors to the county, the book encourages readers to explore by foot, bike, boat, horseback and public transport, and stay, shop and eat at local businesses. The best independent cafes, pubs and restaurants, farm shops, ice-cream makers, microbreweries and even gin distillers are put to the test and personally recommended.

Co-authors Kate Simon, former Travel Editor of the Independent on Sunday, and Suzanne King, former Travel Editor of Grazia, both grew up in the county. “Although we have spent decades exploring Cheshire, we’re still discovering new things about the county,” say Kate and Suzanne. “Whether we chance upon a pretty village or historic church we hadn’t visited before, find a new farm shop or country pub to check out, or just enjoy the latest seasonal display in Cheshire’s beautiful gardens, it’s always a joy to spend a day pottering slowly around the county.”

Founded in 1974, Bradt is now the largest independently owned travel guide publisher in the UK, with more than 200 titles currently in print. Among its many awards, Bradt recently received gold in the Top Guide Book Series category at the 2018 Wanderlust awards.