TURN right as you leave the pub car park, then immediately right again down Hall Lane.

You soon pass Red House Farm which, according to records dating from 1690, used to be an important meeting place for protestant dissenters.

Just past the farm buildings veer right away from the road to cross a peppermint-painted footbridge over Sankey Brook, which stands next to an old car bridge.

Continue across the field ahead to the St Helen’s Canal.

Bear left along the towpath, passing a pleasant picnic spot.

Then continue to a swing bridge.

Leave the canal here, turning left where a path takes you over Sankey Brook once more and then ascends a gentle incline.

A further left turn and you are on the stony road towards Bradlegh Old Hall.

Keep ahead until you reach the junction of Lumber Lane and Fir Tree Lane.

Then plunge down the snicket opposite the bus stop, which borders a field, then continues between houses and across Phipp’s Brook into Burtonwood village.

Double back along Chapel Lane, which becomes Fir Tree Lane as you round a corner.

Then bear right down Farmers Lane after passing an attractive row of old, black-and-white cottages.

At Tan House Farm, where the road turns sharp right, go forward along a cart-track, which turns right at a fingerpost, then swings left between flat, fertile fields.

Keep bearing left at each fingerpost, enjoying far-reaching views, until, at Old Alder Lane, a final left turn takes you back to The Fiddle.

Best Pub Walks in Cheshire and its sequel More Pub Walks in Cheshire and Wirral, by author Jen Darling, are published by Northern Eye and are available from local bookshops, The Beehive in Stretton, alfrescobooks.co.uk, and Amazon.

Distance:  4.5 miles

OS map: SJ563838

Starting point: Fiddle i’ th’ Bag (SJ563838) car park

How to get there: Take the A49 Winwick Road from Warrington. Turn left to Burtonwood immediately opposite Winwick Church and continue until the pub appears on the right