JOHN Hulme, director of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and president of Cheshire Best Kept Stations takes a look at 'Days Out by Rail' in his first column.

This column is entitled 'Off the Beaten Track' and explores some of the great day trips you take around Cheshire this summer:

As schools break for the holidays, there is no better place for youngsters to let off steam than a walk or cycle ride around Delamere Forest.

Ben Fogle has it right when he says: "Travelling by Train is a great way to visit some completely new and wonderful locations away from your day-to-day routines which is really important to your mental health."

Can you image Ben picking up the train on the Mid Cheshire Line at Knutsford or Northwich and taking a short trip to Delamere and a walk to Old Pale Hill?

There you are, 176 metres above sea level, and on a good day can see seven different counties and the Liverpool skyline.

Delamere Forest is unique in that it has its very own station which includes a café and as you alight the train there is a kiosk that serves Snugbury’s Ice Creams – a perfect companion as you start your rail trail around the forest edge through woodlands, fields, and hills.

Your first stop is the new £9m Linmere Visitor Centre with its café and toilets.

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership has published three Rail Walks booklets, with walks from every station on the line.

The Rail Walks in the Cheshire West booklet, which is available at marvellousdaysout.org.uk, includes the circular rail trail around Delamere Forest to Old Pale Hill.

This booklet also has walks from Mouldsworth, Cuddington, Greenbank, Northwich and Lostock Gralam stations which will certainly take you off the beaten track.

Delamere Forest has a number of easy-going walks with Gruffalo Orienteering being popular with children as they find the 12 Gruffalo markers hidden deep in the wood.

If you are looking for more than a walk, look out for the Bike Hire Centre at Linmere where you can explore the forest by mountain bike.

The Hunger Hill trail sounds just the ride to keep the youngsters happy especially if mum and dad opt for an electric bike!

For the more adventurous, there is GoApe with its treetop experiences suitable for youngsters of all ages and you can also tour the forest on your very own all-terrain segway.

On your return journey from Delamere, as you go over the Weaver Viaduct, look out to the right for Vickersway Park with its tennis courts and bowling green.

Next time we will be visiting this lovely park and its hidden gem – the Wonderful Wildlife Activity Trail.

On weekdays, the rail services to Delamere are hourly and an Off-Peak Return ticket from Knutsford to Delamere will cost £9.60 or from Northwich it is £6.20.

If two are travelling together opt for a Duo Ticket which gives you a 25 per cent discount and it is even cheaper with a railcard.

For more information about local rail trips visit marvellousdaysout.org.uk.

For Days out by Rail further afield scenicrailbritain.co.uk.

JOHN HULME