NorthwichCheshire

The salt heritage (Northwich has produced salt since Roman times), the Lion Salt Works (the last working open-pan salt works in England), the timber-framed buildings on subsidence jacks, and a Cheshire town defined by its extraordinary geological history

Northwich sits on vast underground salt deposits — in the 19th century uncontrolled brine pumping caused massive subsidence. Buildings sank and tilted alarmingly. Many town centre buildings were placed on jacks so they could be relevelled. The Lion Salt Works — the last of its kind — is now a museum.

The Lion Salt Works museum is genuinely fascinating — the open-pan salt production process explained brilliantly. The town's jacked buildings are extraordinary — look for the adjusting bolts. Anderton Boat Lift (nearby) for the extraordinary hydraulic canal lift.