Biking the Backroads

Grade: Traffic Free
Distance: 20km/13 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Start: Marbury Country Park
Map: OS Explorer Map 257
Terrain: Mainly minor roads through fairly flat countryside.
Barriers: N/A
Toilets: Marbury Country Park, Anderton Nature Park

The ride starts at Marbury Country Park. Very soon you are cycling along tracks through Anderton Nature Park where you suddenly spot the historic boat lift. In summer look out for orchids, dragonflies and butterflies as you go.

Much of the cycle ride is along quiet, tree-lined lanes, typical of this part of Cheshire. The trees cast a welcome shade on a warm day while insects hum around the hedgerow flowers. Cycling is the ideal way to spot some of the less conspicuous residents such as birds, mice and voles.

The route goes through the attractive villages of Antrobus and Great Budworth where there are several refreshment stops.

Coming back from Great Budworth there are tremendous views of Marbury Country Park across Budworth Mere. The Smith-Barry families, who owned the estate which included Marbury, would row across the Mere to church at Great Budworth. Many of the family are buried in vaults in the churchyard.

Once in Comberbach it’s just a short ride back to Marbury Country Park where you can relax and enjoy a well-earned picnic or take a leisurely stroll through the woods and along the Mere.