66 . Country Rambles. 



fortunately now ivy-mantled, is of brick ! The yews are 

 no doubt contemporaneous with the foundation, say 

 about seven hundred years of age. 



Latchford, the station next beyond Thelwall, is a good 

 point of departure for Hill Cliff, the lofty and beautiful 

 eminence upon which Warrington so prides itself. The 

 view from the summit is considered by many the most 

 varied and extensive in Cheshire justly so, perhaps, 

 since upon the east it extends to Alderley, and upon the 

 west to Moel Famma. Another route to Hill Cliff is by 

 the original line to Warrington, through Eccles, from 

 Victoria station, the same which leads on to Norton for 

 Norton Priory, Norton Park, and Halton Castle; to 

 Frodstfam, for its glorious hills, and to Chester. The 

 views from the Frodsham hills cover, like those from 

 Hill Cliff, a most charming variety of scene, Halton 

 Castle, Weston Point, Rock Savage, the Aston Woods, 

 and the winding Weaver, with its many craft, being all 

 embraced at once. The best way of procedure, in order 

 to enjoy the hills thoroughly, is to take the Helsby 

 portion first, beginning at the station of that name, then 

 to cross the valley and ascend the Overton part. If con- 

 sidered too much for a single day, there is amply enough 

 for a couple of separate visits. Norton Park, made up 

 of undulating and flowery glades, with the Priory in the 

 centre, is little less enjoyable than Tatton, though the 

 spectacle of the dire mischief wrought by the fumes 

 from the adjacent alkali-works, apparently irreparable, is 

 very sad; Halton Castle has its chief attraction in the 



