More Gems…

My latest commissioned book is taking me just down the road into Cheshire.

Having authored 50 Gems of the Yorkshire Dales and also in Derbyshire, it made sense to continue the series in a county that is close by.

To be honest, I haven’t really considered Cheshire before as a place for a book. That sounds pretty obstructive of me, I know, but I always thought of it as too small and too flat for the features I seek in a Gems list.

And then there’s the issue of what is Cheshire, where does it start and end?

Two of its peaks – Shining Tor and Shutlingsloe are technically part of other areas – the latter is part of the Peak District National Park – whilst historically being within the former county boundary.

Then you have the Wirral, alongside the likes of Warrington and Newton-le-Willows which is around four miles from my house.

Are they Cheshire? Can you put them alongside Daresbury say? Then you have Stalybridge too.

They are all challenges I’m already enjoying deciphering and I’m looking forward discovering a few more Gems too to complete the book.

Two of my favourites so far have been Delemere Forest and Walton Hall Gardens. The former I visited a couple of months back and produced a podcast from on a scorching hot day.

This week I will be heading to Chester and taking a tour around the Cathedral with the Bedesman.

As with all my Gems books, I always leave a couple of spaces open for ideas. So, if you have a Gem within Cheshire that should be featured then get in touch!