Take three neighbouring counties, work out a railway timetable and connect their attractions. That's what the Community Rail Partnership, with support from tourism organisations in Cheshire, Wrexham and Shropshire has taken on board.
The 3 Counties Connected Adventures by Train project signals places to visit along the railway lines from Chester to Wrexham, to Shrewsbury, then Crewe.
Working with Visit Chester and Cheshire, This Is Wrexham, and Visit Shropshire, the team has put together a pocket-sized guide of the key attractions and experiences that are easily accessible from railway stations along the route whether by foot, cycle or bus.
The route takes in 13 stations along the English and Welsh border, covering the local authorities of Cheshire West and Chester, Wrexham County Borough, and Shropshire Council.
Nicola Said, chair of 3 Counties Connected, which is funded by Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast and hosted by Groundwork North Wales, says many great experiences are just a short hop away and stresses how connected the three counties are. The project aims to broaden people's horizons and encourage them to get out and enjoy the wealth of attractions in the region – by train.
Nicola, who is based in Wrexham, points out that while the Welsh city is enjoying a tourism boost thanks to the story behind the success of the local football team and its documentary series Welcome to Wrexham (available on Disney+), often visitors don't think or don't know about other attractions close by.
'Because of the documentary, there are so many people coming to Wrexham, with so many dpmestic and international visitors coming and thinking: what else is there to do? Well, Chester is just 15 minutes away, Shrewsbury half an hour... There are lots of places they can reach, but they don't know about. Hopefully, this project will help rectify that.'
Nicola says: 'We want to encourage people to do a few different things. For example, there is the heritage side of Chester to explore – such as the Viking or Civil War tour – but also the A Taste of Chester food tour.' The Dark Chester Tour is an evening walk tour with stories of plague, poltergeists, persecution, witches, gladiators and headless knights from the city's 2,000-year past.
Also on Nicola's must-see list is a trip to Wrenbury in South Cheshire. 'You can reach a few interesting places from there including the Secret Nuclear Bunker and Cholmondeley Castle and do a circular walk (visitwrenbury.org).'
Nantwich also offers a riverside loop walk.
'Many rural stations allow you to park for free and you can walk or cycle to them. We want to help people see it as a viable way to move around.
'There are good affordable options to having an adventure – that's why we have called it adventures by train.'
Central to this project is a newly designed, user-friendly pocket-sized map, created by Cheshire artist Nicky Thompson of Lemondrop Creative.
Each of the three tourist bodies in the project has launched dedicated web pages, providing in-depth information about the attractions featured. The map can also be downloaded from their websites or from the 3 Counties Connected website at 3countiesconnected.org.uk.
The map is also available at railway stations between Shrewsbury to Chester and Shrewsbury to Crewe.
Days out from your doorstep
Three adventures by train
* Football pilgrimage
Hollywood stars-turned-football club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny have put the local team on the map, so much so you need to plan ahead to get a match day ticket for The Racecourse Ground (12 minutes on foot from the railway station). Coming in 2026 is the Football Museum set in the historic County Buildings on Regent Street, which will celebrate Welsh football and highlight Wrexham's achievements. Fixtures and tickets for Wrexham AFC games are available from wrexhamafc.co.uk
* Family fun
Make tracks for the XPLORE! Science Discovery Centre at Henblas Street, an eight-minute walk from the railway station. There is lots of hands-on adventure with interactive games and contraptions teaching children about the fun side of science. xplorescience.co.uk
* Culture
Not far from XPLORE! on Market Street is Tŷ Pawb (Everybody’s House), the former indoor market now home to a range of independent businesses, galleries, exhibitions, studio theatre and a bar and food court catering to all tastes. typawb.wales
* Dip into history
Dating from the late 15th-century, St Giles Church (stgilesparishchurchwrexham.org.uk) is one of the seven wonders of Wales; visitors can pre-book a slot to climb its tower, all 149 steps.
* Food and drink
Try Lisbon Tapas in the middle of Wrexham on Church Street. This newly renovated tapas restaurant is a popular spot and has earned 210 top 5/5 ratings on TripAdvisor. lisbontapas.co.uk
* River trip
With the River Severn looping through the town, the Sabrina Boat tour is a great way to explore Shrewsbury. There are several trips daily (from March until October), each lasting around 40 minutes, with commentary from company staff. If you want something a little bit different, check out its ghost tour by boat or themed nights (including the Mamma Mia evening cruise, complete with Abba songs/disco!) sabrinaboat.co.uk
* Cinema and café
Fancy taking in a movie and a bite to eat? Then head for the Old Market Hall (oldmarkethall.co.uk) in The Square, the location of Shrewsbury's independent cinema as well as a vaulted café-bar. As an extra treat, check out the rear of the building where you will find the open and working clock mechanism that drives the hall clock using a series of pulleys.
* Get out of jail
Shrewsbury Prison (also known as The Dana), dates from 1793 but was decommissioned in 2013 and is now a visitor attraction where you can try experiences such as a penal-themed escape room as well as guided tours (including a ghost tour and a tunnel tour). shrewsburyprison.com.
* Hops of history
Grab some liquid refreshments at Loggerheads in Church Street, one of the oldest pubs in town; raise a glass and feel as though you have travelled back centuries as you rest your weary travellers' legs amid its jigsaw of snugs and plain wooden furniture. loggerheadsshrewsbury.co.uk
* Taste the difference
For a culinary adventure prepare your tastebuds for Kanu Poke in Roushill, an eight-minute walk from the railway station. Billed as the UK's first vegan, gluten-free and nut-free Pacific fusion restaurant and bar, if it sounds a bit different, the team is doing something right because reviewers love the place.Top menu choices include Hawaiian-style fried 'chicken' for starters and poke bowls topped with the likes of teriyaki grilled 'beef' or toasted sesame and coconut tofu. kanupoke.co.uk
* Just the ticket
Indulge your love of railways even more with a day out at the Crewe Heritage Centre. Handily located in the heart of Railway Town and near the station, it has model trains and historical exhibits, and the ticket price includes unlimited rides on its miniature railway. And you can do some trainspotting from the observation deck. There is a café and a gift shop. crewehc.co.uk
* Shop, eat, play
Crewe's vibrant Market Hall in Earle Street is a community hub offering everything from street food to shopping, live music to family entertainment. It is packed with a mix of independent, local businesses selling a range of goods including street food as well as specialty groceries. There's a small soft play area so youngsters can burn off energy. An outdoor market takes place every Monday, Friday and Saturday. crewemarkets.co.uk
* Park life
Take a 45-minute stroll from the centre to Queens Park. Set in 45 acres, this Victorian gem has undergone a restoration and offers a day out in itself. Visitors can enjoy the Lakeside Pavilion and café as well as a play area, outdoor gym, and boating in spring and summer. The Shanaze Reade BMX Track and Skatepark is located opposite, on TipKinder Park. cheshireeast.gov.uk
* Curtains up
Prepare to be entertained at Crewe's Lyceum Theatre. Highlights for autumn include the musical Legally Blonde (October 2-5), singer Will Young (October 10), and comedian Ed Gamble (November 13). Check out the full programme at trafalgartickets.com/lyceum-theatre-crewe/en-GB
* Sweet treat
Just opened this summer in Nantwich Road (10 minutes' walk from the railway station) is Waffles & more, a dessert café with waffles, sundaes and classic desserts on the menu as well as a choice of savoury favourites such as burgers and hot dogs. To max out the fun, there is a retro arcade for visitors to enjoy too. waffleandmore.com
3countiesconnected.org.uk
