Our watercolour artist Gordon Wilkinson takes his easel to Thornton Hough in the heart of the Wirral Words by Sophie Ames. Narrated by The Sandbach and District Talking Newspaper

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The village of Thornton Hough is a haven of tranquillity and peace. Its picture perfect streets echo with the charms of yesteryear, beautiful black and white homes overlook the village green and the spire of All Saints Church is visible from all around the village, like a finger pointing to the heavens.

Few places on earth can seem as heavenly as this, but for a week each summer a few years ago, the serenity of life was shattered as thousands of people arrived in this quiet corner of the Wirral.

Cars and coaches would bring people from across Cheshire and further afield to marvel at the locals' creativity in the annual scarecrow festival. From 1999 to 2006 the week-long event was held on the village green and starred hundreds of home-made figures.

The festival secured Thornton Hough a mention in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest of its kind and money raised during the festivals was spent on preserving and protecting the character of buildings around the village.

But the festival became a victim of its own success. 'Thousands of people came on coach trips and it involved hundreds of organisers,' said local historian Gavin Hunter. 'It overwhelmed the village so we have now reduced it back.'

A Strawberry Fete is now held each June on the village green but there are plenty of reasons to visit his beautiful village all year round. This is the perfect place to relax and take long country walks and bike rides through flat, scenic countryside.

The village, much of which was developed in the late 19th century sits in an idyllic rural setting with cute tea shops and fine buildings. The village - along with neighbouring Brimstage and Raby - is classed as an area of special landscape value and as such is offered some protection against uncharacteristic development.

But behind its leisurely exterior this village has a real sense of community spirit. There is a strong Community Trust here which gives grants to support the village hall, primary school and the two churches - as well as All Saints, there's St George’s which was built just over 100 years ago by William Lever.

The majority of the villagers are tenants of the estate of former Lord Leverhulme and properties, when they become available, are rarely on the market for long. The buildings range from black and white terraces to red brick cottages.

Thornton Hall and the nearby Thornton Manor, which has recently been restored, make Thornton Hough a popular choice for weddings.And although the crowds who used to come for the scarecrow festival are now a thing of the past, those in the know still head down the B roads from M53 to Thornton Hough.

Its charms are immediately evident and one of the most recent in-comers is Daniel James Howard, the new Minister of the Parish Church of All Saints. He moved to the village with his wife Angela and their young family towards the end of last year and Angela was instantly struck by the beauty of her new home.

'We are delighted to have moved into Thornton Hough. The village is very pretty and full of character and there is always plenty going on here.'

Gordon Wilkinson has been Cheshire Life's watercolour artist since the 1990s and has painted hundreds of wonderful images of the county's villages and beauty spots.

He started painting in acrylics more than 20 years ago before moving into watercolours and his work is now a common sight in village halls and libraries. He also holds workshops with budding amateurs and teaches at colleges.All his original watercolours featured in this article are for sale. Contact Gordon on 01244 531785, or email him at watercolours@gordonwilkinson.com. More of his work - including paintings he created for Cheshire Life - can be viewed at www.gordonwilkinson.com

Five facts

At the time of the Norman Conquest the village was called Toritone

All Saints Church, was consecrated in 1868 but is built to a 13th century Gothic design with a 120ft high tower and spire

The village received its current name when the daughter of a local landowner, Roger de Thornton, married Richard de Hough during the reign of Edward II.

William Lever moved into the area in the 1880s and bought most of Thornton Hough and the surrounding land

The village has won the National Award of best kept village in the Champion Class three times. Type CH63 1JJ into your satnav to find the village