The Lower Chequer, Sandbach

Stopping near here for the night to break our journey to the Lake District. This pub claims to be the oldest building in Sandbach, having been built in 1570. Apparently, landlords often doubled as moneylenders and used a chequered board to help their innumerate customers follow and understand the transaction.

The semi-circular stone in the foreground is a mounting board used for mounting or dismounting horses or coaches in earlier times. The building in the background is Cake House, but no sign of cakes unfortunately.