Places to Visit
Oakpond Cottage is based on the Cheshire/Shropshire border and is also close to the welsh border, thus we are near to tourist attractions on all sides, such as IronBridge, Llangollen Railway, Weston Park and Tatton Park. the cottage is central for Chester, Crewe, Shrewsbury, Stoke-On-Trent and Nantwich and only 30 minutes from the M6.
There are stunning walks (Sandstone Trail, Beeston Hills & Canal Walks all within 5-20 minutes from the cottage. We also have a nature reserve with numerous woodland walks which is only a 5 minute drive away. There are over 50 attractions to visit including 3 golf courses ( one is a championship course) and 3 fishing lakes and for the more adventurous, hot air balloon rides to 4x4 driving in the Hawkesstone hills. For the cyclist, we have 8 cycle ride routes ranging from 6-27 miles following quiet lanes and country roads. Oakpond is within reach to numerous National trust houses and gardens.
Two very good pubs with log fires and excellent food are only a 5-10 minutes drive away.
In the village we have a large children's playground.
LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY AND THE HORSESHOE PASS ARE ONLY 40 MINUTES DRIVE AWAY WITH SPECTACULAR WALKS.
- Arley Hall And Gardens
- Bangor on Dee race course
- Anderton Boat Lift
- Salt Museum
- Tatton Park
- Park Hall (All Weather Attraction For Children)
- Acton Scott Farm Museum
- Shugborough Estate
- Jodrell Bank
- Capesthorn Hall
- Gawsworth Hall
- Stretton Water Mill
- Abbeywood Gardens
- Chester Cathedral
- Chester Zoological Gardens
- Jodrell Bank Gardens
- Rode Hall and Gardens
- Stonyford Cottage Gardens
- Monkey Forest And Gladstone Pottery Museum
- Black Country Museum
- Wroxeter Roman Ruins
- Battlefield 1403
- Rode Hall and Gardens
- The Trenham Estate
- Llangollen /Seven Valley And Bridgnorth Railways
- Crewe Heritage centre Train Museum
- Foxfield Railway
- Chester zoo
- Ironbridge Gorge Museum
- Royal Airforce Museum
- Secret Bunker
- Dagfields Antique centre
- Bridgemere Garden world
- Dorothy Clive Gardens
- Stapeley Water Gardens
- 2 ice-cream farms
- Wollerton Hall Gardens
- Attingham Park
- Water World
- Hawkestone Park & Follies
- Erdigg Hall
- Weston Park
- Shire Horse Centre
- Beeston Candle workshops
- Beeston & peckforton Castle
- Cholmondely Castle
- Numerous Canalside Walks
- Chester/Shrewsbury/Nantwich/ Market Drayton & Stoke-On-Trent
- Hot Air Balloon Rides
- Rally car Driving
- Sky Diving
- Horse Riding
- Fishing
- Golfing
- Quad Bike Trails
- Chirk castle
- Little Moreton Hall
- Sunnycroft (Telford) Trust house
- Audlem Boating Marina
- Trentham Gardens
- Moorcroft
- Waterworld
- Sandstone Trail
- Numerous canal and woodland walks
- Delemere Forest
- Hodnet Hall Gardens
- Cattle & Horse Sales
- Reaseheath Zoo
- capesthorne Hall
- Chester Cathedral
- Biddulph Grange Gardens
1 hour away
- Black Country Museum
- Knowsley Safari Park
- Historic Warships
- Alton Towers
THE HISTORY OF IGHTFIELD
Ightfield is situated in one of the most rural areas one could expect to find, with many of its roots being in farming. Over the years, the number of farmers in the area has declined, with only a handful remaining. Many years ago, Ightfield had a local public house for travellers to break up their long journeys by horse and cart, it has now long gone and was converted into a private home.
It was mentioned as ISTEFELT in the Doomsday Book and though not as important as some parishes in the area, it has its own priest which implies an established community which had its own church. The beautiful church of St John which, though partly rebuilt in the 19th century, has 15th century origins. It stands on the northern edge of the village on a small rise, as if overlooking the village in a spiritual way. The magnificent gargoyles seem to hang out from the tower as if determined to get a closer look at those who come to admire or worship here. The tower contains a peal of six bells (which you can hear from the cottage on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings) and the father of Shropshire novelist Mary Webb is buried in the churchyard.
The church forms a focal point in the village, with its fantastic outlook over the surrounding countryside, it is a real place of beauty.
