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Astbury

The pretty little village of Astbury, set around a triangular village green, was once more important than neighbouring Congleton which is why it has a much older church, built between 1350 and 1540. Arguably the finest parish church in the county, St Mary’s is famous for its lofty recessed spire (which rises from a tower almost detached from the nave), and the superb timber work inside: a richly carved ceiling, intricate tracery on the rood screen, and a lovely Jacobean font cover.

But just three miles down the A34 is an even more remarkable building. Black and white half-timbered houses have almost become a symbol for the county of Cheshire and the most stunning example is undoubtedly Little Moreton Hall (National Trust), a “wibbly wobbly” house which provided a memorable location for Granada TV’s adaptation of The Adventures of Moll Flanders. The hall’s huge overhanging gables, slanting walls, and great stretches of leaded windows, create wonderfully complex patterns, all magically reflected in the still flooded moat. Ralph Moreton began construction in 1480 and the fabric of this magnificent house has changed little since the 16th century. A richly panelled Great Hall, parlour and chapel show off superb Elizabethan plaster and wood work. Free guided tours give visitors a fascinating insight into Tudor life, and there’s also a beautifully reconstructed Elizabethan knot garden with clipped box hedges, a period herb garden and a Yew Tunnel.

About a mile south of Little Moreton Hall is the Rode Hall estate. It was an 18th century owner of the estate, Randle Wilbraham, who built the famous folly of Mow Cop (National Trust) to enhance the view from his mansion. This mock ruin stands atop a rocky hill 1100 feet above sea level, just yards from the Staffordshire border. On a clear day, the views are fantastic: Alderley Edge to the north, the Pennines to the north-east, south to Cannock Chase and Shropshire, and westwards across Cheshire. Rode Hall itself, home of the Wilbraham family since 1669, is a fine early 18th century mansion standing within a park landscaped by Humphry Repton. The extensive gardens include a formal rose garden of 1860, a large walled kitchen garden, a terraced rock garden with a grotto, and an ice house.