Discover Barthomley: Church, Ramble and Countryside

Barthomley is a destination for anyone who wants to combine traces of history with a distinctive landscape. The focal point is the Church of St Bertoline in the Barthomley Conservation Area. The Barthomley Ramble begins there, while Mill Dale forms the county boundary with Staffordshire as a deeply cut valley. This allows trip planning to be shaped around architectural history, a turbulent past and a walk through the countryside.

Church of St Bertoline and the History of the Village

A complete architectural and historical tour guide is available for the Church of St Bertoline. The churchyard also tells of a long past: burials have taken place in the area around the church for at least 700 years, and there are more than 600 gravestones there. Anyone interested in historic places and their visible traces will find numerous points of interest here for a quiet, focused exploration.

The church’s history also includes a dark chapter. Shortly before Christmas 1643, twelve parishioners were murdered in the church tower during the Barthomley Massacre after they had surrendered. This event forms part of the village’s history and gives a visit a historical dimension that extends beyond viewing the architecture and gravestones. Crewe Chapel was added shortly after 1608 as a memorial to Sir Ranulph Crewe and his family.

Historic Buildings in Barthomley

Outside the church too, you will encounter different periods and architectural styles. Old Hall Farmhouse is a late-17th-century farmhouse with timber framing, red brickwork and a tiled roof. Alterations and additions from the late 19th century are also part of its history. The Smithy is a Grade II listed building. The former smithy dates from the mid-19th century, has red brickwork and a roof made predominantly of shaped roof tiles. Today, the building is used for light engineering work.

These historic buildings represent different facets of Barthomley: a memorial, a historic religious building, a developed farmhouse and a former smithy. Not every building should be regarded as a current visitor attraction.

Barthomley Ramble, Mill Dale and Wulvarn Brook

The Barthomley Ramble begins at St Bertoline’s Church in Barthomley. The stream behind the White Lion Inn is called Wulvarn Brook; the ramble crosses it twice. Mill Dale adds another landscape setting: the deeply cut valley forms the county boundary with Staffordshire. Anyone wishing to combine exercise and local history on a trip to Barthomley can include the starting point at the church and these specific landscape features in their day plan.

When planning, also take into account the status of the White Lion Inn. The inn has been closed since 18 September 2023 and has been considered closed long-term since 14 May 2024; its future is uncertain. It should therefore not be assumed to be a reliable part of your current day plan. When looking for a holiday cottage or holiday home, it is advisable to first decide whether the historic Church of St Bertoline or the ramble with its countryside experience should be the focus of your stay.

Further Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare Barthomley with pages for other places, you can find Beeston, South Wirral, Nantwich, Chester, Tilston, Frodsham, Preston Brook and Tarporley here.

For the wider travel overview: Cheshire.