Murder Stone

There's a weathered stone standing alone near Macclesfield that marks one of England's darker historical moments. The Murder Stone commemorates a killing that took place here centuries ago - the exact details vary depending on who tells the story, but it's the sort of place that makes you pause and think about what actually happened in these fields.

It's not a major attraction, to be honest. You won't spend hours here. But if you're walking in the area or doing a bit of local history spotting, it's worth a detour. The stone itself is modest - the real appeal is the slightly eerie atmosphere and the chance to wonder about the tale behind it. Kids might find it interesting for five minutes, though it requires a bit of imagination since there's not much interpretation on site.

Getting there involves a bit of legwork from Macclesfield, and there's no visitor infrastructure, so come prepared with the basics. Free to see, of course. Best visited as part of a longer walk rather than as a sole destination.

If you're staying at Eastwood End Caravan Park nearby, it makes a reasonable morning ramble before heading elsewhere in Cheshire. The landscape around here is fairly ordinary moorland and farmland, so combine it with other attractions in the area rather than banking on this alone to fill your day.