11 Best Things To Do In Cheshire
Visiting the North West and wondering what might be the best things to do in Cheshire? The history buffs will be pretty chuffed with Chester with its Roman and medieval heritage, as well as all the country houses that let you peek into the past.
If you’re visiting with children, head to the zoo or one of the local theme parks. Or if you’re the outdoorsy type, see glorious gardens and parklands. Whatever you’re into, here are the 11 best things to do in Cheshire next time you’re in this pretty part of the world. If you're looking for a place to stay, we've got the best campsites in Cheshire for you to pitch up at.
Tatton Park
Acres of parkland and a luxurious mansion
Wander around 1,000 acres of ancient parkland spotting deer, amble through formal gardens and visit the richly decorated mansion at Tatton Park. There’s a 1930s working farm here too, where you might be able to watch the lambing, walk the pigs out to the fields or hold newly hatched ducklings.
In the house, you can find out what life was like for the wealthy residents above stairs and the servants in the scullery below. Have afternoon tea in the converted gardener’s cottage or, if you’re feeling active, explore the parkland by bike, on horseback or even by boat.
Chester
Roman and medieval history to discover
Take a journey through England’s history in Chester, where Roman legions marched, the Vikings launched raids and trade flourished in medieval times. Visit the remains of the Roman amphitheatre in the city centre and pay a visit to 1,000-year-old Chester Cathedral to see its marvellous 14th-century choir.
The medieval city walls encircle almost all of the old town and you can walk around them to see the Wishing Steps and King Charles’ Tower. To see the half-timbered houses, walk through the main streets, where you’ll soon come across the Chester Rows.
Chester is on the river Dee, so you can go on a sightseeing cruise or stay on dry land and walk along the paved promenade past its cafés and pubs.
Lyme Park
Elegant country house and parklands
Discover six centuries of history in this lavish country house, walk through the vast parkland and look for red and fallow deer. If you’re a fan of the 1995 version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, you’ll recognise the lake here where Mr Darcy went for a swim.
The orangery and the rose garden are outdoor highlights for many visitors too. There are lots of things for kids to do here, from playing dress-up inside the house to the outdoor playground in Crow Park. Dogs are welcome too, but be sure to keep them on a lead.
Want to find more places to go with a dog? Try these 6 scenic dog walks In Cheshire.
Dunham Massey
Lush gardens and a deer park
Come to the hall and gardens at Dunham Massey to stroll among lush flower beds and around the deer park and to see the extensive collection of varied objects inside the house. There’s also an old mill on the site dating from the 17th century that’s well worth a visit.
Arrive on a Sunday afternoon to join a scullery maid as she goes about her daily business and give children an insight into what life was like for servants here. The ancient tree walk in the park takes you past 500-year-old oaks and along Lime Avenue. The nearby market town of Altrincham has a market most days and lots of good restaurants too.
Chester Zoo
More than 20,000 animals
See over 20,000 animals at Chester Zoo, from aardvarks to zebras. There are lots of rare species here like Borneo orangutans and the fearsome Komodo dragon. Read the unusual facts and more in-depth descriptions of the animals as you walk around.
Next, visit the botanical gardens here to see plants from all over the world. Younger visitors can take on the treetop challenge, and there are plenty of food options in the zoo so it’s easy to spend the whole day here.
Beeston Castle
A scenic medieval castle
Climb up to medieval Beeston Castle and take in the scenic views from the top of the rocky crag and try to see the bottom of one of the deepest wells in England. Visit the replica Bronze Age roundhouse and learn about the 4,000 years of history of the site at the interactive Castle of the Rock exhibition.
In the woodlands below, potter along the shady paths and try to spot some of the wildlife – foxes, bats and falcons all live here.
Walton Hall and Gardens
Get up close with the animals at Walton Hall
Ever wanted to walk an alpaca? At the children’s zoo in Walton Hall, you can. See rescue donkeys, potbellied pigs and African pygmy goats among the animals and play keeper for the day if you want to get stuck in. There’s also adventure golf on site, or you can test the kids’ balance on the high ropes.
Little Moreton Hall
Top Tudor architecture inside and out
Visit the black and white half-timbered manor house at Little Moreton Hall and you may well wonder how these wonky-looking buildings survived for 500 years. Inside the house, see the original leaded windows and Elizabethan fireplaces, while outside you can potter around in the formal knot garden.
Gulliver’s World
An action-packed theme park
Looking for an action-packed day out? Visit the theme park at Gulliver’s World and spend the day on thrilling rollercoasters, getting wet on the log flumes and flying on the treetop swings.
After trying out some of the big rides, children can learn to drive a tractor, operate their own digger and burn off some energy at the adventure playground and climbing wall.
The Ice Cream Farm
Sweet treats and adventures
There’s more than just sweet treats at the Ice Cream Farm. See the magical ice cream tree, use a JCB to scoop ice cream sand, try your luck on the adventure golf course and visit Fudge Farm with its array of animals from sheep to alpacas.
No visit would be complete without a visit to The Parlour, one of the world’s largest ice cream shops, where you can try classic flavours and more adventurous ones like Cherry Crumble and Bubblegum.
Ellesmere Port
A varied day out
Visit the town of Ellesmere Port for a varied day out in Cheshire. Head to the Blue Planet Aquarium and experience the underwater world in the coral cave, flooded forest and shark tunnel. Next, learn about Cheshire’s industrial revolution at the National Waterways Museum, where you can see the largest collection of inland waterway crafts in the world.
Fancy a drink or a meal in a historic pub? Take a look at our pick of must-visit pubs in Cheshire.