Cheshire is a historic and scenic county in North West England offering walkable historic centres, Roman and medieval heritage, extensive canals, and good rail and public transport connections for tourists.
Little Moreton Hall is a historic 16th-century half-timbered moated manor house near Congleton, Cheshire. It features well-preserved Tudor architecture, extensive gardens, and a famous Long Gallery. Visitors can explore the restored house interiors, enjoy the gardens, and dine in the on-site restaurant, making it a comprehensive historic and outdoor experience.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A free spotter activity at Little Moreton Hall invites visitors to look for the wolf on the Moreton family crest and find wolves hidden around the hall and courtyard.
Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire is a well-preserved historic textile mill from the Industrial Revolution, featuring working waterwheel machinery, factory and worker village tours, and exhibits on industrial heritage and child apprentices. It is operated as a museum by National Trust.
Hare Hill Hall is a Georgian country house in Cheshire with an extensive National Trust garden featuring diverse rhododendrons, a walled garden, sculptures, and scenic walking paths.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
Visitors can borrow a Nature Pack and use it to explore wildlife and the garden, including looking for creepy crawlies, listening to woodland birds and making a den. The packs are aimed particularly at children aged three and over, though adults can join in too.
Wilmslow is a historic market town in Cheshire known for its quaint town centre, rich cultural heritage, access to railway services, local festivals, and a variety of shopping and dining experiences including luxury car showrooms.
Castell Ewloe is a native-built Welsh castle located in a deep woodland setting near the Wales-England border, known for its distinctive D-shaped stone tower and historic significance as a contested borderland fortress. The site offers an outdoor historic experience with walking trails and steps, accessible to visitors year-round with free entry.
Lyme Park is a large estate in Cheshire managed by the National Trust, featuring the largest house in Cheshire with Elizabethan and Palladian-Baroque architecture, extensive formal gardens and deer park, and historical indoor exhibits including the Lyme Caxton Missal. It also serves as a filming location and offers food facilities on site.
12 Oct–7 Nov (next week)
Explore an exhibition about five tree species at Lyme Park and their fungal associates, then follow a self-guided trail around the Top Lawn. On 17, 24 and 31 October, the exhibition curator will be available to answer questions and discuss the research.
Biddulph Grange is a National Trust Victorian landscaped garden in Staffordshire, England featuring a variety of themed garden areas including Chinese, Egyptian, and Italian sections. It offers year-round plant interest and is particularly child-friendly with tunnels and a quiz trail.
10 Oct, 17 Oct…
A volunteer-led talk in the Chinese Garden explores its history, design, different elements and sources of inspiration.
Biddulph is a picturesque market town in Staffordshire Moorlands known for its historic sites including Mow Cop Castle, Biddulph Grange gardens, and scenic valley setting between Mow Cop and Biddulph Moor.
Beeston Castle is a historic ruin of a former royal castle built in the 1220s located on a sandstone crag in Cheshire, England. Visitors can explore the remains of its massive walls and towers, enjoy extensive views across multiple counties, and learn about its rich history dating back to prehistoric times and its role in medieval and civil wars.
Tatton Park is a historic estate in Cheshire featuring a neoclassical mansion, extensive formal and natural gardens, a large deer park, and a working farm showcasing rare breeds. Visitors can enjoy indoor tours of the mansion, outdoor exploration of gardens and parkland, and family-friendly activities including a children's playground and various events throughout the year.
16 Oct (next Friday)
Participants learn wet-felting techniques and create a landscape image inspired by Tatton Park’s Japanese Garden, with expert tuition and a tour of the garden.
Castlefield Viaduct is a historic 330-meter-long former railway viaduct in Manchester, now transformed into an elevated sky park open to the public, offering a unique urban green space and heritage experience.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Author Livi Michael gives an online talk exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell used the Salem witch trials in her novella *Lois the Witch*, and how historical fact and Victorian fiction intersect in stories about witches.
Chester Zoo in Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England, is one of the UK's largest and most diverse zoological collections, featuring over 35,000 animals from 500+ species across extensive outdoor habitats and impressive indoor exhibits. Visitors can explore themed zones like the Heart of Africa savannah, Islands exhibit, and Tropical Realm, with facilities including cafés, restaurants, play areas, and educational programs, making it a premier destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts.
Speke Hall is a Grade I listed Tudor manor house in Liverpool, renowned for its historic timber-framed architecture, ancient yew trees, and scenic views over the Mersey estuary. Owned by the National Trust, it offers visitors both indoor exploration of historic rooms and outdoor gardens with walking paths.
Ellesmere Port is an industrial port town in Cheshire, England, known for its maritime heritage, industry, and popular tourist attractions including the National Waterways Museum, Blue Planet Aquarium, and Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
Mow Cop Castle is an 18th-century folly built to resemble medieval ruins, located on the border between Cheshire and Staffordshire. It stands on a historic ridge known for ancient quarrying and offers scenic views. The site is owned by the National Trust and is free to visit.
Dunham Massey Hall is a Grade I listed English country house in Greater Manchester featuring historic formal gardens, a deer park, and a notable collection of Huguenot silver. The venue includes indoor experiences such as house tours and art collections, as well as outdoor experiences in its extensive gardens and deer park. It also commemorates its history as a World War I military hospital with immersive recreations. Visitors can enjoy food on-site and there are facilities and activities suitable for children.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A photographic exhibition exploring the botanical paper collages of eighteenth-century artist Mary Delany, displayed in the Dunham Massey Orangery.