Wheelock Rail Trail

After the railway closed in 1966 the track lay derelict for many years, gradually becoming more and more overgrown. Cheshire County Council worked closely with the local community through the Wheelock Rail Trail Association to develop the track into a multi-user trail and the route is now a high quality facility for walkers, cyclists and horseriders alike. The Trail forms part of Route 5 of the National Cycle Network, linking Middlewich with Alsager.

Today the Trail is rich in wildlife. Look for frog spawn amongst the watercress in the ditches during early spring. Freshwater shrimps and sticklebacks also make their home in the clear water. Wild daffodil and lesser celandine brighten the banks by the old station whilst later in the year red campion, foxglove and dog rose flower along the Trail.

Birds abound throughout the year but a particular treat is the flocks of thrushes, redwing and fieldfare feasting on the hawthorn berries in autumn and winter.