Kelsall: Old Paths, Hidden History

Kelsall has always had a special place in my heart. I grew up here, and this time I wanted to take a closer look at the lanes and paths I knew as a child.
This Kelsall circular walk is an unhurried wander through woodland, old lanes and the Cheshire countryside, with childhood memories, hidden history and pauses to enjoy the views.

Route Overview

Distance: 10.34 miles mapped; around 11 miles walked, including the return to the car.
Start and finish: Stoney Lane, Kelsall.
Terrain: village lanes, woodland tracks and field paths, with hills and road crossings.
Refreshments: the Boot Inn, Boothsdale.

Allow plenty of time to enjoy the views and explore the village. It was around 30°C when I filmed this walk, so the woodland shade and a cold drink were very welcome.

Old Pale, Nettleford Wood and the Old Coach Road

Starting on Stoney Lane, I head towards Old Pale and Eddisbury before enjoying the shade and birdsong in Nettleford Wood. The old road cuttings hint at much older routes through this landscape. The precise course of the Roman road through the village has been debated, so some of the story remains open to interpretation.

Down by the A54, we pause at the toll cottages before passing the Farmers Arms and remembering the former Foresters Arms. The Old Coach Road leads us into another chapter of the village’s travelling history.

Childhood memories and a mysterious cellar

Hall Lane, Broom’s Lane and Grub Lane bring me back to familiar ground, with a pause to look towards Beeston Castle. On Earles Lane I revisit the area where I grew up and remember a remarkable vaulted space beneath one of the old cottages. I saw it as a child, but whether the arch was part of a cellar or led into a tunnel remains a question.

From Hollands Lane we follow a sunken old path towards Dog Lane. The drone reveals the line of trees and the low point in the ridge that we’ve been following. Back in the village, the Royal Oak and the solid sandstone lock-up opposite recall another side of local life.

Sandstone cottages and Kelsborrow Castle

We continue through Flat Lane, where I went to primary school, then the Wynd, Common Lane and Quarry Lane. There are old sandstone cottages, wide views and a detour to the old well before heading towards Waste Lane.

We pass the site of Kelsborrow Castle, an ancient hillfort rather than a medieval stone castle. The commanding view helps explain why people chose this ridge long before today’s village grew around its lanes.

Little Switzerland, Boothsdale and the Boot Inn

Descending through Little Switzerland gives us another fabulous view before reaching Boothsdale. It was a very hot day, and the Boot was a welcome sight. Two pints of Coke with ice later, I was ready for the return.

Gooseberry Lane, Chapel Lane and Tirley Lane take us towards the Sandstone Trail and Primrose Wood. The old woodland tracks and field paths then bring us back to Stoney Lane.

Do you remember these lanes?

If you grew up around Kelsall, know more about its old paths or remember the cottages and pubs featured in the film, I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. This walk was a chance to revisit where I came from and look a little closer at a place I thought I knew.

Follow the route

Explore the interactive map below, or open the Kelsall old lanes route on Mapometer. Allow time for hills and stops, and bring plenty of water on a warm day.

Download the Kelsall route GPX