Geograph - photograph every grid square

Helsby Hill, along with neighbouring Beacon Hill overlooking Frodsham, marks the northern end of the Mid Cheshire Ridge, a chain of sandstone hills stretching in a somewhat broken arc southwards via Tarporley towards Whitchurch. The whole is followed by the Sandstone Trail, a new guide to which has just been published (end 2008) though it misses Helsby Hill.

This hill does however find fame in being the type locality for the Helsby Sandstone Formation, a suite of rocks of Triassic age widely spread through the north Midlands.

It was also a popular climbing venue in years past though, whilst still receiving visitors, it is often passed by as English climbers speed along the M56 to North Wales or resort to indoor walls.