Neston, a quaint market town in the Wirral, is a part of The Countrywide Great Tour route this summer.

The Countrywide Great Tour begins on 4 July 2015 and takes place over 64 days visiting various coastal locations across the UK.

Cyclists will begin to arrive in Neston on the afternoon of 5th July after a ride up the coast from Llandudno.

To wander the compact, attractive and prosperous town centre of Neston today, you would scarcely guess what a long and unusual history this place has.

For a start, the name comes from Old Norse, for the Vikings settled here because of Neston’s value as a port. And the harbour remained an important facet of Neston down the centuries, so that by the 16th century, it was a principal departure point for Spain, France and Ireland, with coaching links to London.

Nature had other ideas, though. The silting-up of the River Dee left Neston high and dry, and then did the same for its near neighbour, the village of Parkgate.

For the best part of two centuries until 1928, Neston was also a coalmining town, with a pit at the hamlet of Denhall offering employment but a grim and tenuous existence for the locals.

Life is more peaceful and prosperous for the people of Neston these days. A market town by Royal Charter since 1728, Neston has a pretty village, fascinating history, coastal walks and the Wirral Country Park at hand. No wonder so many hanker to call it home.

Visit

Ness Botanic Gardens

The product of Liverpool cotton merchant Arthur Kilpin Bulley’s passion for plants, Ness Botanic Gardens drew new species in from the Himalayas and China, and thus changed the gardens of Britain forever. After Bulley’s death, the gardens passed to Liverpool University.

0845 0304063 www.nessgardens.org.uk

Eat

Kri Kri

This family-run Greek taverna in Neston’s Bridge Street draws high praise from devoted diners for doing proper traditional Greek recipes (goat casserole, anyone?) in an authentic and friendly atmosphere.

0151 336 8869 www.krikri.clo.uk

Stay

Craxton Wood Hotel

This Macdonald hotel is four miles from Neston on Parkgate Road, Ledsham. It is also very convenient for the M53, though you would never guess it from the woodland location. A favourite for weddings, Craxton Wood also has a leisure club and spa.

0844 879 9038 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Do you want to take part in the Great tour? To enter, head over to the Countrywide Great Tour website.