Places W. ofStation. | Places E. ofStation. | ||
Minshull Moss | 2 miles. | Coppenhall Moss | 1 mile. |
Lea Green | 2 — | Warmingham | 3 miles. |
Leighton | 2½ — | Sandbach | 5 — |
Church Minshull | 3½ — |
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Worleston Green | 4½ — |
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Acton | 5½ — |
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The country near the line in this part becomes flat, boggy, and uninteresting; for though an ancient moss is a scene of uncloying interest to a naturalist, and contains many a treasure to reward the patient seeking of the botanist; yet, in the cursory glance of a railroad traveller, its sombre, and, as he perhaps thinks, unprofitable waste, is a scene gladly exchanged for verdant pastures and waving corn fields. Here is a whole family of mosses, all lying closely contiguous, and quaking under the foot of the pedestrian wanderer among their heathy labyrinths, “like a great jelly bag,” as the graphic authoress of “Wood Leighton,” that most graceful, good, and womanly book, quaintly describes a like spot. Coppenhall Moss, Leighton Moss, Warmington Moss, and, for aught we know, half a score more, compose the near view, with the welcome variety afforded by Warmingham Wood in the distance.
The towns of Sandbach and Congleton lie on the E., but are not seen from the line. The former contains about 7,200 inhabitants. The market is on Thursday, and fairs on Easter Tuesday and Wednesday, and the first Thursday after September 11; and a cattle and pleasure fair on December 27, for cattle and wearing apparel. In the market-place are some ancient crosses, repaired in 1816. The church is in the later English style. There are Dissenting Chapels, and several Schools. Congleton contains 9,352 individuals. It is an ancient place, and is called Cogletone in Doomsday Book, but its origin has not been clearly ascertained. The town is situated in a valley, embosomed in richly wooded hills: the eastern part is old and irregularly built; the western is modern. In the environs, especially on the banks of the river, are many elegant mansions and villas. The market is on Saturday; the fairs on the Thursday before Shrovetide, May 12, July 12, and December 22. The Market-house, containing a handsome Assembly-room, was built in 1822, at the sole expense of Sir E. Antrobus, Bart.
Minshull Vernon Station.
Distance to Birmingham, 58¾—Liverpool and Manchester, 38¾ miles.
DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:—
Places W. ofStation. | Places E. ofStation. | ||
Church Minshull | 2 miles. | Warmingham | 2½ miles. |
Bunbury | 6¾ — | Sandbach | 5 — |
Tattenhall | 12 — |
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Harthill | 12¼ — |
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Here the scenery becomes more interesting, from the distant view afforded on the W. of Beeston Castle Hill, and the high lands in Cheshire and Wales.
Beeston Castle was founded by Ranulph de Blundeville, about 1220, and was made a royal garrison, in the war between Henry III., and the confederate Barons. In 1643, Beeston Castle was held by a detachment of the Parliamentarian forces, then taken by the Royalists, who were, after a long siege in 1645, compelled, from want of provisions, to surrender it; and the Parliamentarians dismantled it early the following year. The ruins consist of part of a tower which guarded the principal entrance to the inner court, flanked by semi-circular bastions, and surrounded by a moat, excavated in the solid rock. The outer walls were defended by eight round towers, irregularly placed, and are now covered with ivy.