Woods and Heaths of Little Budworth

In the middle of all the rich green farmland of lowland Cheshire is an island of something different, a little piece of a rougher, older landscape. As ever, though, to call it 'wild' would be misleading. There is probably no such thing as a truly wild landscape anywhere in England. Usually it's peaceful, but a word of warning - it is very close to the Oulton Park motor-racing circuit. On race days not only is the traffic abominable, there's no escaping the noise either.

The area now called Little Budworth Country Park is a fragment of lowland heath. Britain has a substantial proportion of the world's lowland heath, but there is a lot less than there used to be - only 18 per cent of what was recorded in 1800. Most of what remains is in Southern England, so all in all, Little Budworth is a bit special.

The essence of heath is an open landscape, with a mix of heather, gorse, bracken and grasses and with only scattered, if any, trees. Gorse is unmistakable and in summer the popping of its seed pods makes it one of those rare plants you can recognise with your ears. There are two characteristic species of heather: ling (which gardeners may know as Calluna vulgaris) and bell heather (Erica cinerea). They often grow together and look quite similar, but ling has slightly paler and more open flowers.

Heathland typically developed from areas cleared of trees from neolithic times onward, as the poor soil made it unsuitable for permanent cultivation. The land was, however, still used for grazing. Gorse was traditionally used as fuel and for animal fodder, while bracken provided animal bedding and was also a valuable source of potash. These activities, and the occasional natural fire, prevented the heath reverting to woodland. Much of today's country park is wooded, but you will also see large areas of heath, including some which have recently been cleared.

The majority of the heathland at Little Budworth is dry, but there are some low-lying wetter areas. The pool that you pass on the walk is a great breeding ground for dragonflies and damselflies. By contrast the second half of the walk crosses farmland and then skirts the reedy margins of Budworth Mere. Many of Cheshire's meres were created by subsidence resulting from salt mining. Such relatively new lakes are also often called 'flashes'. Others, like this one, are natural in origin, formed in hollows in the lumpy mantle of 'drift' left by retreating ice at the end of the last ice age.

Finally the walk visits Little Budworth village. It is peaceful and attractive but not so outrageously pretty that it has become a tourist magnet. You'll probably agree that this is to its benefit.

Where to eat and drink

The Red Lion is a friendly village pub with hand-pumped Robinson's ales and food at very reasonable prices. There's outside seating at the front, close to the road - but the traffic's light and you may be entertained by skateboard practice - and more at the back, overlooking the bowling green.

What to look for

The Heathland Trail signs show a great spotted woodpecker, though ironically this is (as you'd imagine) a woodland bird. A characteristic bird of the true heath is the stonechat. The males are easily recognised with black heads, white collars and orange breasts. Both sexes make a distinctive sound, like two pebbles being knocked together.

While you're there

Nearby Nantwich, like Middlewich and Northwich, prospered on salt. Much of the town was rebuilt after a catastrophic fire in 1583 though 14th-century St Mary's Church, one of the finest in Cheshire, survived. Churche's Mansion is an impressive Tudor house. Just outside Nantwich, Stapeley Water Gardens is a popular place to visit.