Yummy cake and cheese after a long walk

Sunday, 03 May 2009 19:38

The Lock Keeper at Dutton Locks told us that Frodsham was worth a visit. Sadly we would not be there on a Thursday when it has a good market.

We wandered over Frodsham Bridge over the River Weaver and then up the long hill. The road is the A56 so is busy and noisy with narrow pavements.

At the top of the hill is the ruined Trinity Church

Creating flats of the ruins is a novel way of preserving a church built in 1873 and partly demolished in the 1970s. Public donations from the people of Frodsham saved the 120 foot spire.

These "Fishermen's Cottages" are built on sandstone rock

They reminded us of Jesus' parable of the Wise Man who built his house on the rock and the Foolish Man who built his house on the sand. This builder hedged his bets and built on a combination! They have survived many a rain storm since they were built, obviously!

Going downhill into the town centre a wide main street, lined with trees. looks like a linear car park, with some old houses scattered along it. We wandered down one side and up the other. Saturday was half day closing, so it all seemed rather quiet.

The story board identifies 6 interesting buildings in the High Street. All are marked by the ubiquitous blue plaque with the Frodsham symbolic Bee.

17th Century oak framed Grade II Thatched Cottages

Grade II 19th Century Golden Lion pub

We were a little disappointed as the town had no atmosphere, despite really trying to be "historic". It was time for a break and we saw a tea shop with tables outside - just the ticket, a drink and cake!

We ordered milk shakes and chocolate fudge cake. Now, here is one good reason to visit Frodsham - they serve chocolate fudge cake "to die for" at The Cottage Tea Shop.

Fi at Cottage Tea Shop

The shop is part of the old Mersey Power Cottages, part of which was a chip shop, handed down the generations and well known for its very high standard of food. Grandma tells the story which is printed out for customers to read.

Suitably fortified we turned up Church Street towards the station. There are a few more shops up here, a good greengrocer and The Cheese Shop.

The Cheese Shop is the second good reason to visit Frodsham. We bought Harlech horseradish, smoked cheddar and being Cornish, some Cornish Yarg. Yum, Yum. Yarg is made in Ponsanooth near Truro. Lynher Dairies make Yarg a semi hard cheese covered in nettles and we highly recommend it!

Opposite, outside the Cholmondeley Arms is a K4

Originally 50 of these kiosks, known as the "Vermillion Giant", were made in the 1920s. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, only four are still in use. You can make a call, buy a stamp and post the letter all at the same time! Why do we now have horrid boxes with no character? It can be lucky if you find one working, even though it offfers email too!

Musing on our afternoon on the walk back, we decided that maybe the town was better when it was busier, but for us we have seen more interesting places. However the fudge cake and cheese were worth the trip!

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