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{{Short description|County of England}}{{About|the county in England}}{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}

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official_name	Cheshire| image_main =

| image_caption = The Cheshire Plain from Beeston Castle, Eastgate Clock in Chester, and Little Moreton Hall| flag_image = | flag_link = | arms_image = | arms_link = | motto = | locator_map =
File:Cheshire UK locator map 2010.svg| map_caption = ! Unit! Admin-HQ! Population({{English statistics year}})! Area (km2)! Density (km2)! Head! colspan=“2” | Party| Cheshire East| Sandbach| Cheshire West & Chester| Winsford, Ellesmere Port

53	N	35	type:adm2nd_region:GB-ENG|display=title, inline}}| region = North West England	Historic counties of England>Ancient| established_by = | preceded_by = | origin =	List of parliamentary constituencies in Cheshire>11 MPs| police = Cheshire Constabulary| largest_towm = Warrington| lord_lieutenant_office = Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire| lord_lieutenant_name = Alexis (Lady) Redmond| high_sheriff_office = High Sheriff of Cheshire	issue=62943	date=13 March 2020}}	ARE=Cheshire}}	ARK=Cheshire}}| ethnicity = | county_council = | unitary_council1 = | unitary_council2 = | joint_committees = | admin_hq = | area_council_km2 = | area_council_rank = | population_council = | density_council = | iso_code = | ons_code = | gss_code = | nuts_code = | website =	200px)| districts_key = All unitary| districts_list = {{Ordered list | title = | 1 = Cheshire West and Chester | 2 = Cheshire East | 3 = Warrington | 4 = Halton }} }}Cheshire ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|É›|ʃ|É™r|,_|-|ɪər}} {{respell|CHESH|É™r|,_|-eer}})“Cheshire” {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121190206www.dictionary.com/browse/cheshire|date=21 January 2018}}. Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary is a ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Merseyside to the north-west, Greater Manchester to the north-east, Derbyshire to the east, Staffordshire to the south-east, and Shropshire to the south; to the west it is bordered by the Welsh counties of Flintshire and Wrexham, and has a short coastline on the Dee Estuary. Warrington is the largest settlement, and the city of Chester is the county town.The county has an area of {{convert|905|sqmi|km2|0}} and had a population of 1,095,500 at the 2021 census.{{efn|name=Census2021|Combined population of Cheshire West and Chester, East Cheshire, Halton, and Warrington.WEB, How life has changed in Cheshire West and Chester: Census 2021,ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000050/, 2023-11-23, Census 2021, en, WEB, How life has changed in Cheshire East: Census 2021,ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000049/, 2023-11-23, Census 2021, en, WEB, How life has changed in Halton: Census 2021,ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000006/, 2023-11-23, Census 2021, en, WEB, How life has changed in Warrington: Census 2021,www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000007/, 2023-11-23, Census 2021, en, }} After Warrington (211,227), the largest settlements are Chester and Crewe. The south and east of the county are primarily rural, while the north is more densely populated and includes the settlements of Runcorn, Widnes, and Ellesmere Port. For local government purposes Cheshire comprises four unitary authority areas: Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, and Warrington. The county historically included all of the Wirral Peninsula and southern Greater Manchester but excluded Widnes and Warrington, which were part of Lancashire.The landscape of the county is dominated by the Cheshire Plain, an area of relatively flat land divided by the Mid-Cheshire Ridge. To the west, Cheshire contains the south of the Wirral Peninsula, and to the east the landscape rises to the Pennines, where the county contains part of the Peak District National Park. The River Mersey runs through the north of Cheshire before broadening into its wide estuary; the River Dee forms part of the county’s border with Wales, then fully enters England and flows through the city of Chester before re-entering Wales upstream of its estuary. Red Triassic sandstone forms the bedrock of much of the county, and was used in the construction of many of its buildings.The culture of Cheshire has impacted global pop culture by producing actors such as Daniel Craig, Tim Curry, and Pete Postlethwaite; athletes such as Shauna Coxsey, Tyson Fury, and Paula Radcliffe; authors such as Lewis Carroll; comedians such as John Bishop and Ben Miller, and musicians such as Gary Barlow, Ian Curtis, and Harry Styles. Most places are involved in agriculture and chemistry, leading to Cheshire’s reputation for the production of chemicals, Cheshire cheese, salt, and silk.BOOK, Ingham, A.,archive.org/details/cheshireitstradi00ingh, Cheshire: Its Traditions and History, 1920, 18 November 2019,archive.org/details/cheshireitstradi00ingh," title="web.archive.org/web/20120620152620archive.org/details/cheshireitstradi00ingh,">web.archive.org/web/20120620152620archive.org/details/cheshireitstradi00ingh, 20 June 2012, live, Toponymy Cheshire’s name was originally derived from an early name for Chester, and was first recorded as Legeceasterscir in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle,Harris, B. E. and Thacker, A. T. (1987). p. 237. meaning “the shire of the city of legions”.Crosby, A. (1996). page 31. Although the name first appears in 980, it is thought that the county was created by Edward the Elder around 920. In the Domesday Book, Chester was recorded as having the name Cestrescir (Chestershire), derived from the name for Chester at the time. Through the next few centuries a series of changes that occurred in the English language, which have included simplifications and elision, has resulted in the name Cheshire.Because of the historically close links with the land bordering Cheshire to the west, which became modern Wales, there is a history of interaction between Cheshire and North Wales. The Domesday Book records Cheshire as having two complete Hundreds (Atiscross and Exestan) that later became the principal part of Flintshire. Additionally, another large portion of the Duddestan Hundred later became known as English Maelor (Maelor Saesneg) when it was transferred to North Wales.Harris, B.E. and Thacker, A.T. (1987). pp. 340–341. For this and other reasons, the Welsh language name for Cheshire, , is sometimes used.WEB,www.geiriadur.net/atebion.php?PHPSESSID=6629e0a737dd330fd4fecaf52d21efd7&uni=y&prefLang=en&term=Swydd+Gaerlleon&direction=we&whichpart=exact&type=noun," title="web.archive.org/web/20081231110756www.geiriadur.net/atebion.php?PHPSESSID=6629e0a737dd330fd4fecaf52d21efd7&uni=y&prefLang=en&term=Swydd+Gaerlleon&direction=we&whichpart=exact&type=noun,">web.archive.org/web/20081231110756www.geiriadur.net/atebion.php?PHPSESSID=6629e0a737dd330fd4fecaf52d21efd7&uni=y&prefLang=en&term=Swydd+Gaerlleon&direction=we&whichpart=exact&type=noun, Welsh dictionary entry for Cheshire, www.geriadur.net, Department of Welsh, University of Wales, Lampeter, 21 February 2008, History Earldom File: Doomsday Book - Counties of England - 1086.png|thumb|left|The counties of England following the Norman conquest. Cheshire held a strategic position on the Welsh border with the hundreds between the rivers Mersey and Ribble (Inter Ripam et Mersam) to the north.]]File:Wales 1234 (Marchia Wallie and Pura Wallia).svg|thumb|The strategic location of the Earldom of Chester; the only county palatine on the Welsh Marches.WEB,www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/medieval_exhibition/struggles.htm, Wrexham County Borough Council: The Princes and the Marcher Lords, Wrexham.gov.uk, 14 May 2014,www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/medieval_exhibition/struggles.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20131230232130www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/medieval_exhibition/struggles.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20131230232130www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/medieval_exhibition/struggles.htm, 30 December 2013, dead, {{legend|#87de87|Pura Wallia (independent Wales)}}{{legend|#aaeeff|Lands gained by #ffb380|Marchia Wallie (lands controlled by Norman Marcher barons)}}After the Norman conquest of 1066 by William I, dissent and resistance continued for many years after the invasion. In 1069 local resistance in Cheshire was finally put down using draconian measures as part of the Harrying of the North. The ferocity of the campaign against the English populace was enough to end all future resistance. Examples were made of major landowners such as Earl Edwin of Mercia, their properties confiscated and redistributed amongst Norman barons.The earldom was sufficiently independent from the kingdom of England that the 13th-century Magna Carta did not apply to the shire of Chester, so the earl wrote up his own Chester Charter at the petition of his barons.BOOK, Mediaeval Cheshire: An Economic and Social History of Cheshire in the Reigns of the Three Edwards, Hewitt, Herbert James, Manchester, Manchester University Press, 9, 1929, County Palatine William I made Cheshire a county palatine and gave Gerbod the Fleming the new title of Earl of Chester. When Gerbod returned to Normandy in about 1070, the king used his absence to declare the earldom forfeit and gave the title to Hugh d’Avranches (nicknamed Hugh Lupus, or “wolf“). Because of Cheshire’s strategic location on the Welsh Marches, the Earl had complete autonomous powers to rule on behalf of the king in the county palatine. Hundreds File:Cheshire domesday hundreds.svg|thumb|left|Hundreds of Cheshire in Domesday Book. Areas highlighted in pink became part of Flintshire in Wales.]]Cheshire in the Domesday Book (1086) is recorded as a much larger county than it is today. It included two hundreds, Atiscross and Exestan, that later became part of North Wales. At the time of the Domesday Book, it also included as part of Duddestan Hundred the area of land later known as English Maelor (which used to be a detached part of Flintshire) in Wales.BOOK, Davies, R., The Age of Conquest: Wales 1063–1415, 2000, The area between the Mersey and Ribble (referred to in the Domesday Book as “Inter Ripam et Mersam“) formed part of the returns for Cheshire.Morgan (1978). pp.269c–301c,d.Sylvester (1980). p. 14. Although this has been interpreted to mean that at that time south Lancashire was part of Cheshire,Roffe (2000) more exhaustive research indicates that the boundary between Cheshire and what was to become Lancashire remained the River Mersey.Harris and Thacker (1987) write on page 252: {{blockquote|Certainly there were links between Cheshire and south Lancashire before 1000, when Wulfric Spot held lands in both territories. Wulfric’s estates remained grouped together after his death when they were left to his brother Aelfhelm, and indeed there still seems to have been some kind of connexion in 1086, when south Lancashire was surveyed together with Cheshire by the Domesday commissioners. Nevertheless, the two territories do seem to have been distinguished from one another in some way and it is not certain that the shire-moot and the reeves referred to in the south Lancashire section of Domesday were the Cheshire ones.}}Phillips and Phillips (2002); pp. 26–31.Crosby, A. (1996) writes on page 31: {{blockquote|The Domesday Survey (1086) included south Lancashire with Cheshire for convenience, but the Mersey, the name of which means ‘boundary river’ is known to have divided the kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia and there is no doubt that this was the real boundary.}} With minor variations in spelling across sources, the complete list of hundreds of Cheshire at this time are: Atiscross, Bochelau, Chester, Dudestan, Exestan, Hamestan, Middlewich, Riseton, Roelau, Tunendune, Warmundestrou and Wilaveston.Harris, B. E., and Thacker, A. T. (1987); pages 340–341. Feudal baronies There were 8 feudal baronies in Chester, the barons of Kinderton, Halton, Malbank, Mold, Shipbrook, Dunham-Massey, and the honour of Chester itself. Feudal baronies or baronies by tenure were granted by the Earl as forms of feudal land tenure within the palatinate in a similar way to which the king granted English feudal baronies within England proper. An example is the barony of Halton.Sanders, I.J. English Baronies, a Study of their Origin and Descent 1086–1327, Oxford, 1960, p.138, refers to the “Lord” of Halton being the hereditary constable of the County Palatine of Chester, but omits Halton from both his lists of English feudal baronies One of Hugh d’Avranche’s barons has been identified as Robert Nicholls, Baron of Halton and Montebourg.Crosby, A. A History of Cheshire; Norman Chapter North Mersey to Lancashire In 1182, the land north of the Mersey became administered as part of the new county of Lancashire, resolving any uncertainty about the county in which the land “Inter Ripam et Mersam” was.BOOK, George, D., Lancashire,archive.org/details/lancashireREED00georuoft, 1991, 18 November 2019,web.archive.org/web/20160901105954/https://archive.org/details/lancashireREED00georuoft, 1 September 2016, live, Over the years, the ten hundreds consolidated and changed names to leave just seven—Broxton, Bucklow, Eddisbury, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Northwich and Wirral.WEB, Cheshire ancient divisions, Vision of Britain website,www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10193850, 6 March 2007,www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10193850," title="web.archive.org/web/20070506230322www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10193850,">web.archive.org/web/20070506230322www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10193850, 6 May 2007, live, Principality: Merging of Palatine and Earldom (File:Cestriae (Cheshire) Comitatus (Romanis Legionibus et Colonys olim infignis) vera et abfoluta effigies. Chriftophorus Saxton defcripfit. Francifcus Scatterus fculpfit Anno Dno 1577. RMG L8558-001.jpg|thumb|Map of Cheshire by Christopher Saxton from 1577.)In 1397 the county had lands in the march of Wales added to its territory, and was promoted to the rank of principality. This was because of the support the men of the county had given to King Richard II, in particular by his standing armed force of about 500 men called the “Cheshire Guard”. As a result, the King’s title was changed to “King of England and France, Lord of Ireland, and Prince of Chester”. No other English county has been honoured in this way, although it lost the distinction on Richard’s fall in 1399.Davies, R. R. ‘Richard II and the Principality of Chester’ in The Reign of Richard II: Essays in Honour of May McKisack, ed. F. R. H. Du Boulay and Caroline Baron (1971) Lieutenancy: North split-off District Through the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect on 1 April 1974, some areas in the north became part of the metropolitan counties of Greater Manchester and Merseyside.BOOK, Jones, B., Politics UK, 2004, etal, Stockport (previously a county borough), Altrincham, Hyde, Dukinfield and Stalybridge in the north-east became part of Greater Manchester. Much of the Wirral Peninsula in the north-west, including the county boroughs of Birkenhead and Wallasey, joined Merseyside as the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. At the same time the Tintwistle Rural District was transferred to Derbyshire. The area of south Lancashire not included within either the Merseyside or Greater Manchester counties, including Widnes and the county borough of Warrington, was added to the new non-metropolitan county of Cheshire.Local Government Act 1972 District and Unitary {{see also|Northern England referendum, 2004}}Halton and Warrington became unitary authorities independent of Cheshire County Council on 1 April 1998, but remain part of Cheshire for ceremonial purposes and also for fire and policing.WEB, The Cheshire (Boroughs of Halton and Warrington) (Structural Change) Order 1996, Office of Public Sector Information,www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/1863/contents/made, 6 March 2007,www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/1863/contents/made," title="web.archive.org/web/20101219141424www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/1863/contents/made,">web.archive.org/web/20101219141424www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/1863/contents/made, 19 December 2010, live, Halton is part of Liverpool City Region combined authority, which also includes the five metropolitan boroughs of Merseyside.A referendum for a further local government reform connected with an elected regional assembly was planned for 2004, but was abandoned. Unitary As part of the local government restructuring in April 2009, Cheshire County Council and the Cheshire districts were abolished and replaced by two new unitary authorities, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. The existing unitary authorities of Halton and Warrington were not affected by the change. Governance {{see also|List of Parliamentary constituencies in Cheshire}} Current File:Cheshire unitary labell.png|220px|thumb|The ceremonial county showing the four unitary authorities. Click on the map for more informationpoly 132 343 74 237 19 152 25 129 215 134 231 120 255 121 298 172 293 195 263 221 221 222 179 257 152 293 175 350 Cheshire West and Chesterpoly 168 293 241 241 285 239 325 225 382 264 383 272 316 308 312 348 225 368 Cheshire Eastpoly 333 175 269 130 267 103 300 82 357 102 480 90 491 189 410 239 Cheshire Eastpoly 313 228 334 183 419 219 354 293 Cheshire Eastpoly 131 105 166 58 182 73 182 94 201 99 207 91 218 105 210 129 183 127 161 121 131 107 Haltonpoly 188 75 192 30 266 9 296 73 267 82 251 107 234 112 Warringtondesc none{| class=“wikitable sortable”
GSS=E06000049}}	GSS=E06000049}}	GSS=E06000049}}|Sam Corcoran	No overall control}}” ||
GSS=E06000050}}	GSS=E06000050}}	GSS=E06000050}}|Louise Gittins	Labour Party (UK)}}” |	GSS=E06000050}}
Borough of Halton>Halton| Widnes	GSS=E06000006}}	GSS=E06000006}}	GSS=E06000006}}| Mike Wharton	Labour Party (UK)}}” |	GSS=E06000006}}
Borough of Warrington>Warrington| Warrington	GSS=E06000007}}	GSS=E06000007}}	GSS=E06000007}}| Russ Bowden	Labour Party (UK)}}” |	GSS=E06000007}}

Cheshire has no county-wide elected local council, but it does have a Lord Lieutenant under the Lieutenancies Act 1997 and a High Sheriff under the Sheriffs Act 1887.Local government functions apart from the Police and Fire/Rescue services are carried out by four smaller unitary authorities: Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, and Warrington. All four unitary authority areas have borough status.Policing and fire and rescue services are still provided across the county as a whole. The Cheshire Fire Authority consist of members of the four councils, while governance of Cheshire Constabulary is performed by the elected Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.Winsford is a major administrative hub for Cheshire with the Police and Fire & Rescue Headquarters based in the town as well as a majority of Cheshire West and Chester Council. It was also home to the former Vale Royal Borough Council and Cheshire County Council.

Transition into a lieutenancy

From 1 April 1974 the area under the control of the county council was divided into eight local government districts; Chester, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Halton, Macclesfield, Vale Royal and Warrington.Vision of Britain {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506230350www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10032957|date=6 May 2007}} – Divisions of CheshireCheshire County Council {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005172200www.cheshire.gov.uk/Council/districtcouncils.htm|date=5 October 2006}} – Map of Cheshire districts Halton (which includes the towns of Runcorn and Widnes) and Warrington became unitary authorities in 1998.WEB, The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire,www.cheshire.gov.uk/aboutcheshire/lord.htm,www.cheshire.gov.uk/aboutcheshire/lord.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20070203042519www.cheshire.gov.uk/aboutcheshire/lord.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20070203042519www.cheshire.gov.uk/aboutcheshire/lord.htm, 3 February 2007, 6 March 2007, Cheshire County Council, The remaining districts and the county were abolished as part of local government restructuring on 1 April 2009.WEB, Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008,www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/634/contents/made, live,www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2," title="web.archive.org/web/20090517000027www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2,">web.archive.org/web/20090517000027www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2, 17 May 2009, 25 September 2010, Opsi.gov.uk, The Halton and Warrington boroughs were not affected by the 2009 restructuring.On 25 July 2007, the Secretary of State Hazel Blears announced she was ‘minded’ to split Cheshire into two new unitary authorities, Cheshire West and Chester, and Cheshire East. She confirmed she had not changed her mind on 19 December 2007 and therefore the proposal to split two-tier Cheshire into two would proceed. Cheshire County Council leader Paul Findlow, who attempted High Court legal action against the proposal, claimed that splitting Cheshire would only disrupt excellent services while increasing living costs for all. On 31 January 2008 The Standard, Cheshire and district’s newspaper, announced that the legal action had been dropped. Members against the proposal were advised that they may be unable to persuade the court that the decision of Hazel Blears was “manifestly absurd”.The Cheshire West and Chester unitary authority covers the area formerly occupied by the City of Chester and the boroughs of Ellesmere Port and Neston and Vale Royal; Cheshire East now covers the area formerly occupied by the boroughs of Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich, and Macclesfield. The changes were implemented on 1 April 2009.NEWS, 25 July 2007, BBC News, 25 July 2007 – County split into two authorities, BBC News,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm, live, 25 September 2010,news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20090107084113news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20090107084113news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm, 7 January 2009, WEB, The Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008,www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_1, dead,www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_1," title="web.archive.org/web/20081223124157www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_1,">web.archive.org/web/20081223124157www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_1, 23 December 2008, 25 February 2009, Office of Public Sector Information, Congleton Borough Council pursued an appeal against the judicial review it lost in October 2007. The appeal was dismissed on 4 March 2008.WEB, Unitary legal fight over in 60 seconds,www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&ID=64451, dead,www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&ID=64451," title="web.archive.org/web/20110722194509www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&ID=64451,">web.archive.org/web/20110722194509www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&ID=64451, 22 July 2011, 25 February 2009, LocalGov.co.uk,

Geography

Physical

A plain of glacial till and other glacio-fluvial sediments extends across much of Cheshire, separating the hills of North Wales and the Pennines. Known as the Cheshire Plain, it was formed following the retreat of a Quaternary ice sheet which left the area dotted with kettle holes, those which hold water being referred to as meres. The bedrock of this region is almost entirely Triassic sandstone, outcrops of which have long been quarried, notably at Runcorn, providing the distinctive red stone for Liverpool Cathedral and Chester Cathedral.The eastern half of the county is Upper Triassic Mercia Mudstone laid down with large salt deposits which were mined for hundreds of years around Winsford. Separating this area from Lower Triassic Sherwood Sandstone to the west is a prominent sandstone ridge known as the Mid Cheshire Ridge. A {{convert|55|km|mi|0|adj=on}} footpath,weblink {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502190858www.cheshire.gov.uk/countryside/Walking/|date=2 May 2010}} the Sandstone Trail, follows this ridge from Frodsham to Whitchurch passing Delamere Forest, Beeston Castle and earlier Iron Age forts.WEB,www.sandstonetrail.co.uk/, Walking Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail, dead,www.sandstonetrail.co.uk/," title="web.archive.org/web/20110722134452www.sandstonetrail.co.uk/,">web.archive.org/web/20110722134452www.sandstonetrail.co.uk/, 22 July 2011, The western fringes of the Peak District - the southernmost extent of the Pennine range - form the eastern part of the county. The highest point (county top) in the historic county of Cheshire was Black Hill ({{convert|582|m|abbr=on}}) near Crowden in the Cheshire Panhandle, a long eastern projection of the county which formerly stretched along the northern side of Longdendale and on the border with the West Riding of Yorkshire.Bradt Guides, Stockport & the Cheshire Panhandle, accessed 8 January 2022AbeBooks, Framed 19th Century Lithograph - Map of Cheshire, showing the Panhandle to the north east of the county, accessed 8 January 2022 Black Hill is now the highest point in the ceremonial county of West Yorkshire.Within the current ceremonial county and the unitary authority of Cheshire East the highest point is Shining Tor on the Derbyshire/Cheshire border between Macclesfield and Buxton, at {{convert|559|m}} above sea level. After Shining Tor, the next highest point in Cheshire is Shutlingsloe, at {{convert|506|m}} above sea level. Shutlingsloe lies just to the south of Macclesfield Forest and is sometimes humorously referred to as the “Matterhorn of Cheshire” thanks to its distinctive steep profile.{{wide image|Beeston walk.JPG|1000px|align-cap=center|The Cheshire Plain from the Mid-Cheshire Ridge.}}

Human

Green belt

Cheshire contains portions of two green belt areas surrounding the large conurbations of Merseyside and Greater Manchester (North Cheshire Green Belt, part of the North West Green Belt) and Stoke-on-Trent (South Cheshire Green Belt, part of the Stoke-on-Trent Green Belt), these were first drawn up from the 1950s. Contained primarily within Cheshire EastWEB, Cheshire East Council Green Belt Assessment Update 2015 – Final Consolidated Report,cheshireeast-consult.limehouse.co.uk/file/3478926, Cheshire East Council, 1 January 2018, 24 February 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230224123120/https://cheshireeast-consult.limehouse.co.uk/file/3478926, dead, and Chester West & Chester,WEB, Local Plan – Green Belt Study Part One,consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/file/2790437, Cheshire West and Chester Council, 1 January 2018, 27 October 2020,consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/file/2790437," title="web.archive.org/web/20201027175227consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/file/2790437,">web.archive.org/web/20201027175227consult.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/file/2790437, dead, with small portions along the borders of the HaltonWEB, Widnes and Hale Green Belt Study,www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/siteassessmentsWidHale.pdf, www3.halton.gov.uk, Halton Council, 15 February 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180215143854/https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/siteassessmentsWidHale.pdf, 15 February 2018, dead, and WarringtonWEB, Warrington Borough Council Green Belt Assessment Final Report Final – 21 October 2016,www.warrington.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11804/green_belt_assessment_final_report_oct_2016pdf.pdf, www.warrington.gov.uk, Warrington Council, 15 February 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180216025109/https://www.warrington.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11804/green_belt_assessment_final_report_oct_2016pdf.pdf, 16 February 2018, dead, districts, towns and cities such as Chester, Macclesfield, Alsager, Congleton, Northwich, Ellesmere Port, Knutsford, Warrington, Poynton, Disley, Neston, Wilmslow, Runcorn, and Widnes are either surrounded wholly, partially enveloped by, or on the fringes of the belts. The North Cheshire Green Belt is contiguous with the Peak District Park boundary inside Cheshire.

Borders

The ceremonial county borders Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire in England along with Flintshire and Wrexham in Wales, arranged by compass directions as shown in the table. below. Cheshire also forms part of the North West England region.WEB, Local Authorities, Government Offices of the North West,www.gonw.gov.uk/gonw/OurRegion/LocalAuthorities/, 6 March 2007, dead,www.gonw.gov.uk/gonw/OurRegion/LocalAuthorities/," title="web.archive.org/web/20070926222552www.gonw.gov.uk/gonw/OurRegion/LocalAuthorities/,">web.archive.org/web/20070926222552www.gonw.gov.uk/gonw/OurRegion/LocalAuthorities/, 26 September 2007,

Flora and fauna

{{Expand section|date=July 2022}}In July 2022, beavers bred in Cheshire for the first time in 400 years, following a reintroduction scheme.NEWS, 12 July 2022, First beaver born in Cheshire for more than 400 years, en-GB, BBC News,www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-62134998, 2022-07-13,

Demography

Population

{{see also|List of Cheshire settlements by population}}File:Bridge Street and the Rows at Chester - geograph.org.uk - 4396746.jpg|thumb|ChesterChesterFile:Crewe (33916958155).jpg|thumb|CreweCreweBased on the Census of 2001, the overall population of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester is 673,781, of which 51.3% of the population were male and 48.7% were female. Of those aged between 0–14 years, 51.5% were male and 48.4% were female; and of those aged over 75 years, 62.9% were female and 37.1% were male. This increased to 699,735 at the 2011 Census.WEB,www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/research_and_consultation/census/census.aspx, 2011 Census: Helping tomorrow take shape, A population estimate for Cheshire East of 370,127, 9 December 2018,www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/research_and_consultation/census/census.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20170825121307www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/research_and_consultation/census/census.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20170825121307www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/research_and_consultation/census/census.aspx, 25 August 2017, dead, WEB,inside.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/GetFile?fileUrl=/keystatistics/2011censuschangereport.pdf&extension=pdf, 2011 Census Cheshire West, 329,608 residents in Cheshire West and Chester, 8 December 2019,inside.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/GetFile?fileUrl=%2Fkeystatistics%2F2011censuschangereport.pdf&extension=pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20170414164311inside.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/GetFile?fileUrl=%2Fkeystatistics%2F2011censuschangereport.pdf&extension=pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20170414164311inside.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/GetFile?fileUrl=%2Fkeystatistics%2F2011censuschangereport.pdf&extension=pdf, 14 April 2017, dead, The population for 2021 is forecast to be 708,000.WEB, CCC Long Term Population Forecasts, Cheshire County Council,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F648E8B3-E5AF-4832-9AB5-619CACFA87B1/0/PopF1.pdf, 6 March 2007,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F648E8B3-E5AF-4832-9AB5-619CACFA87B1/0/PopF1.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070605061908www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F648E8B3-E5AF-4832-9AB5-619CACFA87B1/0/PopF1.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070605061908www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/F648E8B3-E5AF-4832-9AB5-619CACFA87B1/0/PopF1.pdf, 5 June 2007, In 2001, the population density of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester was 32 people per km2, lower than the North West average of 42 people/km2 and the England and Wales average of 38 people/km2. Ellesmere Port and Neston had a greater urban density than the rest of the county with 92 people/km2.WEB, Census 2001 – Population, Cheshire Census Consortium,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2BA86039-3905-4E03-B2CC-1A56FF239192/0/Population.pdf, 6 March 2007,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2BA86039-3905-4E03-B2CC-1A56FF239192/0/Population.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070605061912www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2BA86039-3905-4E03-B2CC-1A56FF239192/0/Population.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070605061912www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2BA86039-3905-4E03-B2CC-1A56FF239192/0/Population.pdf, 5 June 2007, {| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center”! colspan=“10” style="background:#add” |Population totals for Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Year! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Population! style="background:#fff;color:#fff” |! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Year! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Population! style="background:#fff;color:#fff” |! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Year! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Population! style="background:#fff;color:#fff” |! style="background:#b8e8e8” | Chart! style="background:#fff;color:navy” | 1801! style="background:#fff;color:navy” | 1881! style="background:#fff;color:navy” | 1961Pre-1974 statistics were gathered from local government areas that now compose CheshireSource: Great Britain Historical GIS.HTTP://WWW.VISIONOFBRITAIN.ORG.UK/DATA_CUBE_PAGE.JSP?DATA_THEME=T_POP&DATA_CUBE=N_TOT_POP&U_ID=10032957&C_ID=10001043&ADD=N>TITLE=CHESHIRE MODERN (POST 1974) COUNTY: TOTAL POPULATIONA VISION OF BRITAIN THROUGH TIME>ACCESS-DATE=10 JANUARY 2010ARCHIVE-DATE=3 NOVEMBER 2012, live, {| class=“wikitable sortable“|+ Population of Cheshire by district ({{English statistics year}}){{United Kingdom district population citation}}! Rowspan=2 | District! Colspan=2 | Land area! Colspan=2 | Population! Rowspan=2 | Density(/km2)! (km2)! (%)! People! (%)| Cheshire East {hide}Percentage| {hide}Percentage| {{English district area|GSS=E06000050}} {{English district population|GSS=E06000050}} {{English district density|GSS=E06000050}}| Halton {hide}Percentage| {hide}Percentage| {{English district area|GSS=E06000007}} {{English district population|GSS=E06000007}} {{English district density|GSS=E06000007}}! style="text-align:left;” | Cheshire! style="text-align:right;” | {hide}formatnum: ! style="text-align:right;” | 100%! style="text-align:right;” | {hide}formatnum: ! style="text-align:right;” | 100%! style="text-align:right;” | {hide}Pop density|

Ethnicity

In 2001, ethnic white groups accounted for 98% (662,794) of the population, and 10,994 (2%) in ethnic groups other than white.Of the 2% in non-white ethnic groups:

• 3,717 (34%) belonged to mixed ethnic groups
• 3,336 (30%) were Asian or Asian British
• 1,076 (10%) were black or black British
• 1,826 (17%) were of Chinese ethnic groups
• 1,039 (9%) were of other ethnic groups.WEB, Key Statistics Interim Profile, Cheshire County Council,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/71754661-E7D9-4ECD-B71C-6163FD3574D1/0/PopC4.pdf, 6 March 2007,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/71754661-E7D9-4ECD-B71C-6163FD3574D1/0/PopC4.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070605061922www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/71754661-E7D9-4ECD-B71C-6163FD3574D1/0/PopC4.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070605061922www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/71754661-E7D9-4ECD-B71C-6163FD3574D1/0/PopC4.pdf, 5 June 2007,

Religion

File:Wilmslow Church.jpg|thumb|right|WilmslowWilmslowIn the 2001 Census, 81% of the population (542,413) identified themselves as Christian; 124,677 (19%) did not identify with any religion or did not answer the question; 5,665 (1%) identified themselves as belonging to other major world religions; and 1,033 belonged to other religions.The boundary of the Church of England Diocese of Chester follows most closely the pre-1974 county boundary of Cheshire, so it includes all of Wirral, Stockport, and the Cheshire panhandle that included Tintwistle Rural District council area.Chester Diocese (Church of England). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231181850www.chester.anglican.org/diocese/ |date=31 December 2008 }} Official website. Accessed on 30 September 2007. In terms of Roman Catholic church administration, most of Cheshire falls into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shrewsbury.Diocese of Shrewsbury (Roman Catholic). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729184948www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/index.asp |date=29 July 2010 }} Official website. Accessed on 30 September 2007.

Economy

{{More citations needed|section|date=December 2022}}{| class=“wikitable sortable” style="text-align:right;” style="text-align:left;“! District! GVA (£ billions)! GVA per capita (£)! GDP (£ billions)! GDP per capita (£) Cheshire West and Chester| £11.7| £32,846| £13.1| £36,518! style="text-align:left;” colspan=“5” | *Excluding Halton which forms part of the Liverpool City Region for economic purposesCheshire has a diverse economy with significant sectors including agriculture, automotive, bio-technology, chemical, financial services, food and drink, ICT, and tourism. The county is famous for the production of Cheshire cheese, salt and silk. The county has seen a number of inventions and firsts in its history.A mainly rural county, Cheshire has a high concentration of villages. Agriculture is generally based on the dairy trade, and cattle are the predominant livestock. Land use given to agriculture has fluctuated somewhat, and in 2005 totalled 1558 km2 over 4,609 holdings.WEB, Agricultural Holdings – Land and Employment – Cheshire – 2002 to 2005, Cheshire County Council,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8AC07978-47FE-4BA6-8063-39F5AFB0978D/0/EcE3.pdf, 3 June 2007,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8AC07978-47FE-4BA6-8063-39F5AFB0978D/0/EcE3.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070605061926www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8AC07978-47FE-4BA6-8063-39F5AFB0978D/0/EcE3.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070605061926www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8AC07978-47FE-4BA6-8063-39F5AFB0978D/0/EcE3.pdf, 5 June 2007, Based on holdings by EC farm type in 2005, 8.51 km2 was allocated to dairy farming, with another 11.78 km2 allocated to cattle and sheep.File:Man Sanding the street in Knutsfrod for May Day 1920.jpg|right|thumb|upright|A resident of Knutsford sanding the street in celebration of May DayMay DayThe chemical industry in Cheshire was founded in Roman times, with the mining of salt in Middlewich and Northwich. Salt is still mined in the area by British Salt. The salt mining has led to a continued chemical industry around Northwich, with Brunner Mond based in the town. Other chemical companies, including Ineos (formerly ICI), have plants at Runcorn. The Essar Refinery (formerly Shell Stanlow Refinery) is at Ellesmere Port. The oil refinery has operated since 1924 and has a capacity of 12 million tonnes per year.WEB, Stanlow, Essar Oil (UK) Limited,www.essaroil.co.uk/our-work/stanlow/, 18 February 2022, 18 February 2022,www.essaroil.co.uk/our-work/stanlow/," title="web.archive.org/web/20220218010457www.essaroil.co.uk/our-work/stanlow/,">web.archive.org/web/20220218010457www.essaroil.co.uk/our-work/stanlow/, dead, Crewe was once the centre of the British railway industry, and remains a major railway junction. The Crewe railway works, built in 1840, employed 20,000 people at its peak, although the workforce is now less than 1,000. Crewe is also the home of Bentley cars. Also within Cheshire are manufacturing plants for Jaguar and Vauxhall Motors in Ellesmere Port.The county also has an aircraft industry, with the BAE Systems facility at Woodford Aerodrome, part of BAE System’s Military Air Solutions division. The facility designed and constructed Avro Lancaster and Avro Vulcan bombers and the Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod. On the Cheshire border with Flintshire is the Broughton aircraft factory, more recently associated with Airbus.Tourism in Cheshire from within the UK and overseas continues to perform strongly. Over 8 million nights of accommodation (both UK and overseas) and over 2.8 million visits to Cheshire were recorded during 2003.WEB, Cheshire Economy (page 64), Cheshire County Council,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B2042-1BCB-4F74-B53B-6EE65E28372E/0/CheshireEconomy.pdf, 6 March 2007,www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B2042-1BCB-4F74-B53B-6EE65E28372E/0/CheshireEconomy.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070616135020www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B2042-1BCB-4F74-B53B-6EE65E28372E/0/CheshireEconomy.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070616135020www.cheshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/5F4B2042-1BCB-4F74-B53B-6EE65E28372E/0/CheshireEconomy.pdf, 16 June 2007, At the start of 2003, there were 22,020 VAT-registered enterprises in Cheshire, an increase of 7% since 1998, many in the business services (31.9%) and wholesale/retail (21.7%) sectors. Between 2002 and 2003 the number of businesses grew in four sectors: public administration and other services (6.0%), hotels and restaurants (5.1%), construction (1.7%), and business services (1.0%). The county saw the largest proportional reduction between 2001 and 2002 in employment in the energy and water sector and there was also a significant reduction in the manufacturing sector. The largest growth during this period was in the other services and distribution, hotels and retail sectors.Cheshire is considered to be an affluent county.NEWS,www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10054043/Top-ten-most-affluent-villages-in-UK.html, Top Ten Most Affluent Villages in the UK, 24 February 2017, The Telegraph, 17 February 2017,www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10054043/Top-ten-most-affluent-villages-in-UK.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20170224201937www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10054043/Top-ten-most-affluent-villages-in-UK.html,">web.archive.org/web/20170224201937www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10054043/Top-ten-most-affluent-villages-in-UK.html, 24 February 2017, live, NEWS,www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-named-top-place-live-10103325, Chester Named Top Place to Live in UK, 24 February 2017, The Chester Chronicle, 21 September 2015,www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-named-top-place-live-10103325," title="web.archive.org/web/20170224211512www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-named-top-place-live-10103325,">web.archive.org/web/20170224211512www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-named-top-place-live-10103325, 24 February 2017, live, However, towns such as Crewe and Winsford have significant deprivation.WEB, Area Profile,moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/documents/s41093/SOGP%20-%20Area%20Profile%20-%20Appendix%201%20TB.pdf, Cheshire East Council, Cheshire East Council, 11 September 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170912013402/https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/documents/s41093/SOGP%20-%20Area%20Profile%20-%20Appendix%201%20TB.pdf, 12 September 2017, dead, The county’s proximity to the cities of Manchester and Liverpool means counter urbanisation is common. Cheshire West has a fairly large proportion of residents who work in Liverpool and Manchester, while the town of Northwich and area of Cheshire East falls more within Manchester’s sphere of influence.

Education

{{see also|List of schools in Cheshire East|List of schools in Cheshire West and Chester|List of schools in Halton|List of schools in Warrington}}File:Chester University Wheeler (52877897464).jpg|thumb|University of ChesterUniversity of ChesterAll four local education authorities in Cheshire operate only comprehensive state school systems. When Altrincham, Sale and Bebington were moved from Cheshire to Trafford and Merseyside in 1974, they took some former Cheshire selective schools. There are two universities based in the county, the University of Chester and the Chester campus of The University of Law. The Crewe campus of Manchester Metropolitan University was scheduled to close in 2019.WEB,www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-38110375, Crewe’s university campus set to shut, McCann, Phil, 25 November 2016, BBC, 17 November 2020,

Culture

Arts and entertainment

(File:Flag of Cheshire.svg|thumb|The flag of the historic county of Cheshire)File:Detail of Lewis Carroll memorial window - geograph.org.uk - 284592.jpg|thumb|right|Lewis Carroll memorial window (featuring the Hatter and March HareMarch HareCheshire has produced musicians such as Joy Division members Ian CurtisBOOK, Curtis, Deborah, Touching from a Distance, 1995, 2014,books.google.com/books?id=LmSwBAAAQBAJ, Faber and Faber, Faber, London,books.google.com/books?id=LmSwBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT22, Chapter 1, 0-57132241-7, and Stephen Morris,WEB,www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/17636955.stephen-morris-joy-division-depression-summoning-devil/, Stephen Morris on Joy Division, depression and summoning the devil, Jamieson, Teddy, 18 May 2019, The Herald, One Direction member Harry Styles,WEB,www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/friendly-cheshire-village-harry-styles-21592690, The friendly Cheshire village that Harry Styles calls home, McIntyre, Alex, 18 September 2021, Cheshire Live, the members of The 1975,WEB, Bono, Salvatore, Speaking With Your New Favorite Band – The 1975,www.huffingtonpost.com/salvatore-bono/speaking-with-your-new-fa_b_3927658.html, Huffington Post, 16 September 2013, 5 May 2015,www.huffingtonpost.com/salvatore-bono/speaking-with-your-new-fa_b_3927658.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20151006214101www.huffingtonpost.com/salvatore-bono/speaking-with-your-new-fa_b_3927658.html,">web.archive.org/web/20151006214101www.huffingtonpost.com/salvatore-bono/speaking-with-your-new-fa_b_3927658.html, 6 October 2015, live, Take That member Gary Barlow,WEB,malextra.com/celebrity/Gary+Barlow-29096.html, Gary Barlow ‘devastated’ by Dad’s Death, Malextra.com, The Cult member Ian Astbury,Larkin, Colin (2011) The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Bish Bash Books, {{ISBN|978-1846098567}}, p. 461 Catfish and the Bottlemen member Van McCann,WEB,www.nme.com/news/music/catfish-and-the-bottlemen-28-1221499, Catfish And The Bottlemen’s Van McCann: ‘America thinks we’re Oasis but with better manners’, Nme.com, 8 May 2015, 6 June 2020, Girls Aloud member Nicola Roberts,{{harvnb|Dreams That Glitter|2009|p=218}} Stephen Hough,WEB, Classic FM Meets Stephen Hough,www.classicfm.com/artists/stephen-hough/guides/classic-fm-meets-stephen-hough/, Classic FM (UK), Classic FM, 14 October 2016, John Mayall,John Mayall biographical details. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226200336johnmayall.com/bio.html |date=26 December 2011 }} www.johnmayall.com website. Accessed on 21 February 2008. The Charlatans member Tim Burgess,WEB,www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/951273.north_country_boy_tims_back_in_town/, North country boy Tim’s back in town, and Nigel Stonier.NEWS, Music Spotlight: South Cheshire’s Dayve Dean and Nick Bayes form unlikely duo,www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/entertainment-flintshire/2010/06/09/music-spotlight-south-cheshire-s-dayve-dean-and-nick-bayes-form-unlikely-duo-59067-26613281/, 24 January 2011, Flintshire Chronicle, 9 June 2010, James A Oliver, 20 July 2011,www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/entertainment-flintshire/2010/06/09/music-spotlight-south-cheshire-s-dayve-dean-and-nick-bayes-form-unlikely-duo-59067-26613281/," title="web.archive.org/web/20110720013034www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/entertainment-flintshire/2010/06/09/music-spotlight-south-cheshire-s-dayve-dean-and-nick-bayes-form-unlikely-duo-59067-26613281/,">web.archive.org/web/20110720013034www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/entertainment-flintshire/2010/06/09/music-spotlight-south-cheshire-s-dayve-dean-and-nick-bayes-form-unlikely-duo-59067-26613281/, dead, Actors from Cheshire include Russ Abbot,WEB,www.surreylife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/comedian-russ-abbot-on-switching-to-the-madhouse-the-workhouse-and-wentworth-1-1640298, Comedian Russ Abbot on switching to the madhouse, the workhouse and Wentworth, 9 November 2010, 2 January 2022, 29 November 2020,web.archive.org/web/20201129111942/https://www.surreylife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/comedian-russ-abbot-on-switching-to-the-madhouse-the-workhouse-and-wentworth-1-1640298, dead, Warren Brown,WEB,www.mmaweekly.com/former-muay-thai-champ-warren-brown-walks-the-talk-in-cinemaxs-strike-back, Former Muay Thai Champ Warren Brown Walks the Talk in Cinemax’s ‘Strike Back’, 2 March 2018, MMAWeekly.com, en-US, 9 June 2019, 9 June 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190609173506/https://www.mmaweekly.com/former-muay-thai-champ-warren-brown-walks-the-talk-in-cinemaxs-strike-back, live, Julia Chan,WEB, Julia Taylor Ross; Biography,www.tvguide.com/celebrities/julia-taylor-ross/bio/375012/, 22 April 2017, TV Guide, Ray Coulthard,WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/drama/people/ray_coulthard_person_page.shtml, BBC - Drama - People Index Ray Coulthard, BBC, www.bbc.co.uk, en-gb, 11 November 2019, Daniel Craig,WEB,metro.co.uk/2020/08/26/james-bond-star-daniel-craigs-father-tim-dies-aged-77-13183007/, James Bond Star Daniel Craig’s Father Tim Craig Dies Aged 77, Metro, Kim, Novak, 26 August 2020, 17 January 2021, Tim Curry,NEWS,www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/tim-currys-back-on-the-grail-trail-7174713.html, Tim Curry’s back on the Grail trail, Evening Standard, 25 September 2006, 8 October 2015, Wendy Hiller,ODNB, 89982, Hiller, Dame Wendy Margaret (1912–2003), Tom Hughes,EPISODE,www.skysports.com/watch/video/9861469/soccer-am-tom-hughes, Soccer AM - Tom Hughes, Soccer AM, Tom, Hughes, Sky Sports, 23 May 2015, “It was 1997. My birthday’s 18th April. I was 12.”, 20 July 2017, Tim McInnerny,BOOK, The True History of the Black Adder: At Last, the Cunning Plan, in All Its Hideous Hilarity, Roberts, J F, Random House UK, 2014, 9780099564164, 23, Ben Miller,WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038xdzt, Ben Miller finds out an amazing fact, Series 10, Coming Home, Ben, Miller, BBC, 16 May 2017, 23 November 2015, Pete Postlethwaite,NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/arts/04postlethwaite.html, The New York Times, Bruce, Weber, Pete Postlethwaite, British Actor, Dies at 64, 3 January 2011, Adam Rickitt,The Independent (Adam Rickitt - True Blue Hunk) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109152219www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/adam-rickitt-true-blue-hunk-478088.html |date=9 November 2012 }} John Steiner,WEB,www.allmovie.com/artist/john-steiner-p67917/filmography, John Steiner | Movies and Filmography, AllMovie, and Ann Todd.WEB,www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/16218417.a-look-back-at-film-star-ann-todd-from-northwich/, A look back at film star Ann Todd from Northwich, Carla Flynn, Northwich Guardian, 10 May 2018, 12 April 2019, The most famous author from the county is Lewis Carroll, who wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and named the Cheshire Cat character after it.WEB, Brimstage,www.cheshirenow.co.uk/brimstage.html, Cheshire Now, 30 August 2020, WEB, Brimstage Hall, Cheshire, England,www.geni.com/projects/Brimstage-Hall-Cheshire-England/26853, Geni, 30 August 2020, Other notable Cheshire writers include Hall Caine,NEWS, Runcorn Urban District Council, Council meeting minutes, 7 September 1931, Alan Garner,{{sfn|Philip|1981|p=11}} and Elizabeth Gaskell.BOOK, Mrs. Gaskell: Novelist and Biographer,archive.org/details/mrsgaskellnoveli0000poll, registration, Pollard, Arthur, 1965, Manchester University Press, 0-674-57750-7, 12, Artists from Cheshire include ceramic artist Emma BossonsWEB, Emma Bossons, abitofbritain.com,www.abitofbritain.com/bossons.htm, 7 January 2008, and sculptor/photographer Andy Goldsworthy.Stonard, John Paul (10 December 2000). “Goldsworthy, Andy”. Grove Art Online {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821130425www.groveart.com./ |date=21 August 2008 }}. Retrieved on 15 May 2007.Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada. Television signals are received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter.WEB,ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill, Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter, UK Free TV, 21 September 2023, Local radio stations in the county include Chester’s Dee Radio, Capital North West and Wales, Smooth Wales, Cheshire’s Silk Radio and Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire. It is one of only four counties in the country (along with County Durham, Dorset, and Rutland) that does not have its own designated BBC radio station; the south and parts of the east are covered by BBC Radio Stoke, while BBC Radio Merseyside tends to cover the west, and BBC Radio Manchester covers the north and parts of the east.WEB,forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=311275, BBC Radio Cheshire – Radio – Digital Spy Forums, Forums.digitalspy.co.uk, 14 May 2014,forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=311275," title="web.archive.org/web/20140108184541forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=311275,">web.archive.org/web/20140108184541forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=311275, 8 January 2014, dead, The BBC directs readers to Stoke and Staffordshire when Cheshire is selected on their website.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/stoke_and_staffordshire/, BBC News – Stoke & Staffordshire, Bbc.co.uk, 14 May 2014,www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/stoke_and_staffordshire/," title="web.archive.org/web/20140521172804www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/stoke_and_staffordshire/,">web.archive.org/web/20140521172804www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/stoke_and_staffordshire/, 21 May 2014, live, There were plans to launch BBC Radio Cheshire, but those were shelved in 2007 after the BBC license fee settlement was lower than expected.

Sports

Athletes native to Cheshire include sailor Ben Ainslie, cricketer Ian Botham, rock climber Shauna Coxsey, boxer Tyson Fury, oarsman Matt Langridge, mountaineer George Mallory, marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, cyclist Sarah Storey, and hurdler Shirley Strong. It has also been home to numerous athletes from outside the county. Many Premier League footballers have relocated there over the years upon joining nearby teams such as Manchester United FC, Manchester City FC, Everton FC, and Liverpool FC. These include Dean Ashton, Seth Johnson, Jesse Lingard, Michael Owen, and Wayne Rooney.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} The “Cheshire Golden Triangle” is the collective name for a group of adjacent Cheshire villages where the amount of footballers, actors, and entrepreneurs moving in over the years led to the average house prices becoming some of the most expensive in the UK.Cheshire has one Football League team, Crewe Alexandra, which plays in {{English football updater|CreweAle}}. Chester F.C., a phoenix club formed in 2010 after ex-Football League club Chester City was dissolved, competes in the {{English football updater|Chester}}. Northwich Victoria, another ex-League team which was a founding member of the Football League Division Two in 1892/1893, now represents Cheshire in the Northern Premier League along with Nantwich Town, Warrington Town, and Witton Albion. Macclesfield Town another former League club, went into liquidation in 2020;NEWS, Silkmen expelled from National League,www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54341314, 17 November 2020, BBC Sport, 29 September 2020, a phoenix club, Macclesfield F.C., was formed in 2021.WEB,www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57163012, Macclesfield FC: Reformed club to join North West Counties Premier Division next season, BBC Sport, 18 May 2021, 8 April 2023, 18 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210518164423/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57163012, live, The Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings are the premier rugby league teams in Cheshire; the former plays in the Super League, while the latter plays in the Championship. There are also numerous junior clubs in the county, including Chester Gladiators. Cheshire County Cricket Club is one of the clubs that make up the minor counties of English and Welsh cricket. Cheshire also is represented in the highest level basketball league in the UK, the BBL, by Cheshire Phoenix (formerly Cheshire Jets). Europe’s largest motorcycle event, the Thundersprint, is held in Northwich every May.WEB,www.thundersprint.com/first_timers_guide.html, The Thundersprint, 12 May 2011, dead,www.thundersprint.com/first_timers_guide.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20111114161144www.thundersprint.com/first_timers_guide.html,">web.archive.org/web/20111114161144www.thundersprint.com/first_timers_guide.html, 14 November 2011,

Other

The Royal Cheshire Show, an annual agricultural show, has taken place since the 1800s.WEB,www.royalcheshireshow.org/about/, About The Royal Cheshire County Show {{!, The Royal Cheshire County Show|website=The Royal Cheshire County Show 2016|language=en-US|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616170744www.royalcheshireshow.org/about/|archive-date=16 June 2017|url-status=dead}}Cheshire also produced a military hero in Norman Cyril Jones, a World War I flying ace who won the Distinguished Flying Cross.Shores, et al, p. 217.

Unofficial county flower

As part of a 2002 marketing campaign, the plant conservation charity Plantlife chose the cuckooflower as the county flower.WEB,www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/regions/north_west, Things to do – Plantlife in your area – North-west England, Plantlife, 11 July 2012, dead,www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/regions/north_west/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130501110914www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/regions/north_west/,">web.archive.org/web/20130501110914www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/regions/north_west/, 1 May 2013, Previously, a sheaf of golden wheat was the county emblem, a reference to the Earl of Chester’s arms in use from the 12th century.

Landmarks

{{multiple images| total_width = 350px| perrow = 3| header = Buildings and structures of Cheshire| image1 = The Parish Church of St. Mary, Nantwich (1).JPG| image2 = Municipal Buildings, Crewe.jpg| image3 = The Wizard - geograph.org.uk - 270816.jpg| image4 = The Cross and Rows, Chester, Cheshire, England, ca. 1895.jpg| image5 = Capesthorne Hall.jpg| image6 = LittleMoretonHall.jpg| image7 = Beeston Castle Gate.jpg| image8 = Eaton Hall c 1880 - Waterhouse’s version. Photo by Francis Bedford (died 1894).JPG| image9 = Chester Cathedral (South View).JPG| alt1 = Nantwich St Mary Church| alt2 = Crewe Town Council buildings| alt3 = The Wizard Pub| alt4 = Chester Rows| alt5 = Capesthorne Hall| alt6 = Little Moreton Hall| alt7 = Beeston Castle| alt8 = Eaton Hall| alt9 = Chester CathedralSt Mary’s Church, Nantwich>St Mary Church in Nantwich, Crewe Town Council, The Wizard Pub (Alderley Edge), Chester Rows (Chester), Capesthorne Hall, Little Moreton Hall, Beeston Castle, Eaton Hall, and Chester Cathedral}}Prehistoric burial grounds have been discovered at The Bridestones near Congleton (Neolithic) and Robin Hood’s Tump near Alpraham (Bronze Age).WEB, 1 September 2004, Cheshire County Council: Revealing Cheshire’s Past,www2.cheshire.gov.uk/Archaeology/RCP/PrehistoricSitesToVisit.htm, dead,www.cheshire.gov.uk/archaeology/RCP/PrehistoricSitesToVisit.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20041117003106www.cheshire.gov.uk/archaeology/RCP/PrehistoricSitesToVisit.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20041117003106www.cheshire.gov.uk/archaeology/RCP/PrehistoricSitesToVisit.htm, 17 November 2004, 25 September 2010, .cheshire.gov.uk, The remains of Iron Age hill forts are found on sandstone ridges at several locations in Cheshire. Examples include Maiden Castle on Bickerton Hill, Helsby Hillfort and Woodhouse Hillfort at Frodsham. The Roman fortress and walls of Chester, perhaps the earliest building works in Cheshire remaining above ground, are constructed from purple-grey sandstone.The distinctive local red sandstone has been used for many monumental and ecclesiastical buildings throughout the county: for example, the medieval Beeston Castle, Chester Cathedral and numerous parish churches. Occasional residential and industrial buildings, such as Helsby railway station (1849),{{National Heritage List for England|num=1261746|desc=Shelter on island platform at Helsby Railway Station|grade=II|access-date=22 January 2013}} are also in this sandstone.Many surviving buildings from the 15th to 17th centuries are timbered, particularly in the southern part of the county. Notable examples include the moated manor house Little Moreton Hall, dating from around 1450, and many commercial and residential buildings in Chester, Nantwich and surrounding villages.Early brick buildings include Peover Hall near Macclesfield (1585), Tattenhall Hall (pre-1622), and the Pied Bull Hotel in Chester (17th-century). From the 18th century, orange, red or brown brick became the predominant building material used in Cheshire, although earlier buildings are often faced or dressed with stone. Examples from the Victorian period onwards often employ distinctive brick detailing, such as brick patterning and ornate chimney stacks and gables. Notable examples include Arley Hall near Northwich, Willington Hall{{NHLE|num=1137030|desc=Willington Hall|grade=II|fewer-links=yes|access-date=25 September 2010}} near Chester (both by Nantwich architect George Latham) and Overleigh Lodge, Chester. From the Victorian era, brick buildings often incorporate timberwork in a mock Tudor style, and this hybrid style has been used in some modern residential developments in the county. Industrial buildings, such as the Macclesfield silk mills (for example, Waters Green New Mill{{NHLE |num=1280023 |desc=Waters Green New Mill |grade=II |fewer-links=yes |access-date=29 August 2022}}), are also usually in brick.

Settlements

{{Location map+|Cheshire }}The county is home to some of the most affluent areas of northern England, including Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Prestbury, Tarporley and Knutsford, named in 2006 as the most expensive place to buy a house in the north of England. The former Cheshire town of Altrincham was in second place. The area is sometimes referred to as The Golden Triangle on account of the area in and around the aforementioned towns and villages.NEWS, Why Cheshire fat cats smile, The Times, London,property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article1087249.ece, 6 March 2006,property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article1087249.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20080719035414property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article1087249.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20080719035414property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/buying_and_selling/article1087249.ece, 19 July 2008, live, The cities and towns in Cheshire are:{| class=“wikitable”! Ceremonial county! District! Centre of administration! Other towns or cities Cheshire| Cheshire East (unitary)| Sandbach| Alderley Edge, Alsager, Bollington, Crewe, Congleton, Handforth, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Middlewich, Nantwich, Poynton, Wilmslow| Cheshire West and Chester (unitary)| ChesterEllesmere Port, Frodsham, Malpas, Cheshire>Malpas, Neston, Northwich, Saltney (eastern part), Tarporley, Tarvin, WinsfordBorough of Halton>Halton (unitary)| Widnes| RuncornBorough of Warrington>Warrington (unitary)| WarringtonBirchwood, Cheshire>Birchwood, Culcheth, Grappenhall, LymmSome settlements which were historically part of the county now fall under the counties of Derbyshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester:BOOK, Chandler, J., Local Government Today, 2001, WEB, Cheshire ancient county boundaries, Vision of Britain website,www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10193850&c_id=10001043, 6 March 2007,www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10193850&c_id=10001043," title="web.archive.org/web/20070506230504www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10193850&c_id=10001043,">web.archive.org/web/20070506230504www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10193850&c_id=10001043, 6 May 2007, WEB, Cheshire 1974 boundaries, Vision of Britain website,www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10032957&c_id=10001043, 6 March 2007,www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10032957&c_id=10001043," title="web.archive.org/web/20070506230240www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10032957&c_id=10001043,">web.archive.org/web/20070506230240www.visionofbritain.org.uk/bound_map_page.jsp?first=true&u_id=10032957&c_id=10001043, 6 May 2007, {| class=“wikitable” style="width:auto”!scope=“row“| DerbyshireCrowden, Derbyshire>Crowden, Newtown, Derbyshire, Tintwistle, Whaley Bridge (western part), Woodhead, Derbyshire>Woodhead!scope=“row“| Greater ManchesterAltrincham, Bramhall, Bredbury, Cheadle, Greater Manchester>Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Dukinfield, Gatley, Hale, Greater Manchester, Hazel Grove, Hyde, Greater Manchester>Hyde, Marple, Greater Manchester, Mossley (part), Partington, Romiley, Sale, Greater Manchester>Sale, Stalybridge, Stockport, Woodley, Wythenshawe!scope=“row“| MerseysideBebington, Birkenhead, Brimstage, Bromborough, Eastham, Merseyside>Eastham, Greasby, Heswall, Hoylake, Irby, Merseyside, Moreton, Merseyside>Moreton, New Ferry, Port Sunlight, Upton, Wallasey, West Kirby

Transport

Railways

File:Chester Railway Station.jpg|thumb|Chester station in November 2017]]File:Alderley Edge Station geograph-2165327.jpg|thumb|Alderley Edge station in July 1951]]The main railway line through the county is the West Coast Main Line. Trains on the main London to Scotland line call at Crewe (in the south of the county) and Warrington Bank Quay (in the north of the county). Trains stop at Crewe and Runcorn on the Liverpool branch of the WCML; Crewe and Macclesfield are each hourly stops on the two Manchester branches. The major interchanges are:

• Crewe (the biggest station in Cheshire) for trains to London Euston, Glasgow Central, Edinburgh Waverley, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street (via the WCML). Trains on other routes travel to Wales, the Midlands (Birmingham, Stoke and Derby) as well as suburban services to Manchester Piccadilly, Chester and Liverpool Lime Street.
• Warrington stations (Central and Bank Quay) for suburban services to Manchester Piccadilly, Chester and Liverpool Lime Street and regional express services to North Wales, London, Scotland, Yorkshire, the East Coast and the East Midlands
• Chester for urban services (via Merseyrail) to Liverpool Central, suburban services to Manchester, Warrington, Wrexham General and rural Cheshire and express services to Llandudno, Holyhead, Birmingham, the West Midlands, London and Cardiff and, from May 2019, to Leeds.

In the east of Cheshire, Macclesfield station is served by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and Northern, on the Manchester–London line. Services from Manchester to the south coast frequently stop at Macclesfield. Neston on the Wirral Peninsula is served by a railway station on the Borderlands line between Bidston and Wrexham.

Roadways

File:Runcorn - Silver Jubilee Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 3085950.jpg|thumb|Silver Jubilee BridgeSilver Jubilee BridgeCheshire has {{convert|3417|mi|km|0}} of roads, including {{convert|214|mi|km|0}} of the M6, M62, M53 and M56 motorways; there are 23 interchanges and four service areas. It also has the A580 “East Lancashire Road” at its border with Greater Manchester at Leigh. The M6 motorway at the Thelwall Viaduct carries 140,000 vehicles every 24 hours.WEB, Road policing, Cheshire Police website,www.cheshire.police.uk/showcontent.php?pageid=1071, 14 June 2009, dead,webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081105163228/http%3A//www.cheshire.police.uk/showcontent.php?pageid%3D1071, 5 November 2008, Bus transport in Cheshire is provided by various operators. The major bus operator in the Cheshire area is D&G Bus. Other operators in Cheshire include Stagecoach Chester & Wirral and Network Warrington.There are also several operators based outside of Cheshire, who either run services wholly within the area or services which start from outside the area. Companies include Arriva Buses Wales, Aimee’s Travel, High Peak, First Greater Manchester, D&G bus and Stagecoach Manchester.Some services are run under contract to Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Borough of Halton and Warrington Councils.

Waterways

File:Anderton Boat Lift (30187739816).jpg|thumb|Anderton Boat LiftAnderton Boat LiftThe Cheshire canal system includes several canals originally used to transport the county’s industrial products (mostly chemicals). Nowadays they are mainly used for tourist traffic. The Cheshire Ring is formed from the Rochdale, Ashton, Peak Forest, Macclesfield, Trent and Mersey and Bridgewater canals.The Manchester Ship Canal is a wide, {{convert|36|mi|km|0|adj=on}} stretch of water opened in 1894. It consists of the rivers Irwell and Mersey made navigable to Manchester for seagoing ships leaving the Mersey estuary. The canal passes through the north of the county via Runcorn and Warrington. Rivers and canals in the county are:{|

• River Bollin
• River Croco
• River Dane
• River Dean
• River Dee / Afon Dyfrdwy
• River Gowy
• River Goyt
• River Mersey
• River Weaver and Weaver Navigation
• River Wheelock|
• Bridgewater Canal
• Macclesfield Canal
• Manchester Ship Canal
• Shropshire Union Canal and the Llangollen branch
• Trent and Mersey Canal

See also

• Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency), historical list of MPs for Cheshire constituency
• Constable of Chester
• Custos Rotulorum of Cheshire – Keepers of the Rolls
• Healthcare in Cheshire
• High Sheriff of Cheshire
• Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire
• Outline of England

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

Bibliography

• Crosby, A. (1996). A History of Cheshire. The Darwen County History Series. Chichester, UK: Phillimore & Co {{ISBN|0-85033-932-4}}.
• BOOK, Girls Aloud, 2009, Dreams That Glitter,books.google.com/books?id=KFIhGmL72R0C, Transworld Publishers Limited, 978-0-552-15760-5, en, {{harvid, Dreams That Glitter, 2009, }}
• Harris, B. E., and Thacker, A. T. (1987). The Victoria History of the County of Chester. Volume 1: Physique, Prehistory, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Domesday. Oxford: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-722761-9}}.
• Morgan, P. (ed.) (1978). Domesday Book. Volume 26: Cheshire. Chichester, Sussex: Phillmore and Company Limited. {{ISBN|0-85033-140-4}}.
• BOOK, A Fine Anger: A Critical Introduction to the Work of Alan Garner, Philip, Neil, 1981, Collins, London, 978-0-00-195043-6,
• Phillips, A. D. M., and Phillips, C. B. (eds.) (2002). A New Historical Atlas of Cheshire. Chester, UK: Cheshire County Council and Cheshire Community Council Publications Trust. {{ISBN|0-904532-46-1}}.
• Shores, Christopher; Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. Grub Street. {{ISBN|0-948817-19-4}}, {{ISBN|978-0-948817-19-9}}.
• Sylvester, D. (1980) [first ed.: 1971]. A History of Cheshire. Second edition. The Darwen County History Series. London and Chichester, UK: Phillimore & Co. Ltd. {{ISBN|0-85033-384-9}}.

Further reading

• Beck, J. (1969). Tudor Cheshire. Volume 7 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Bu’Lock, J. D. (1972). Pre-Conquest Cheshire 383–1066. Volume 3 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Dore, R. N. (1966). The Civil Wars in Cheshire. Volume 8 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Driver, J. T. (1971). Cheshire in the Later Middle Ages 1399–1540. Volume 6 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Harris, B. E. (1979). ’The Victoria History of the County of Chester. Volume 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-722749-X}}.
• Harris, B. E. (1980). ’The Victoria History of the County of Chester. Volume 3. Oxford: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-722754-6}}.
• Hewitt, H. J. (1967). Cheshire Under the Three Edwards. Volume 5 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Higham, N. J. (1993). The Origins of Cheshire. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press. {{ISBN|0-7190-3160-5}}.
• Hodson, J. H. (1978). Cheshire, 1660–1780: Restoration to Industrial Revolution. Volume 9 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council. {{ISBN|0-903119-11-0}}.
• Husain, B. M. C. (1973). Cheshire Under the Norman Earls 1066–1237. Volume 4 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Morgan, V., and Morgan, P. (2004). Prehistoric Cheshire. Ashbourne, Derbyshire: Landmark Publishing Company. {{ISBN|1-84306-140-6}}.
• Scard, G. (1981). Squire and Tenant: Rural Life in Cheshire 1760–1900. Volume 10 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council. {{ISBN|0-903119-13-7}}.
• Scholes, R. (2000). The Towns and Villages of Britain: Cheshire. Wilmslow, Cheshire: Sigma Press. {{ISBN|1-85058-637-3}}.
• BOOK, Starkey, H. F., Old Runcorn, Halton Borough Council, 1990,
• Sylvester. D., and Nulty, G. (1958). The Historical Atlas of Cheshire. Third Edition. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Thompson, F. H. (1965). Roman Cheshire. Volume 2 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Tigwell, R. E. (1985). Cheshire in the Twentieth Century. Volume 11 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Varley, W. J. (1964). Cheshire Before the Romans. Volume 1 of Cheshire Community Council Series: A History of Cheshire. Series Editor: J. J. Bagley. Chester, UK: Cheshire Community Council.
• Youngs, F. A. (1991). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England. Volume 1: Northern England. London: Royal Historical Society. {{ISBN|0-86193-127-0}}.

External links

{{Sister project links|voy=Cheshire}}

• {{Curlie|Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Cheshire}}

• Cheshire Lieutenancy
• Cheshire Market Towns
• Chester, Cheshire & Beyond – The official tourist board for Chester & Cheshire
• viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/results.aspx?index=0" title="web.archive.org/web/20120907195225viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/results.aspx?index=0">Images of Cheshire at the English Heritage Archive
• www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/bicentenary/pdfs/cheshire.pdf" title="web.archive.org/web/20090326015935www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/bicentenary/pdfs/cheshire.pdf">Office for National Statistics – 2001 Bicentenary – Cheshire
• List of parks and open spaces in Cheshire
• Places to visit, stay, shop and eat in Cheshire

{{Adjacent communities| Centre = Cheshire| Northeast = Greater Manchester| East = Derbyshire| Southeast = Staffordshire| South = ShropshireWrexham County Borough>Wrexham| West = Flintshire| Northwest = Merseyside| North = Merseyside/Greater Manchester}}{{Cheshire}}{{NW England}}{{England counties}}{{Authority control}}