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.
Chester Roman Amphitheatre is the largest Roman amphitheatre uncovered in Britain, located in Chester, Cheshire. The outdoor site features extensive ruins dating back to the 1st century, seating around 8,000 spectators in its prime, and is managed by English Heritage. Visitors can explore the historic archaeological remains and view a mural that recreates the original structure visually.
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.
7 Oct–1 Nov, 4–8 Nov…
Explore Quarry Bank using the HistoryScapes app, which brings the history of the historic landscape to life through an outdoor trail. The pilot project aims to help visitors discover more about the site’s history.
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.
Gulliver's World is a family-oriented theme park in Warrington with rides and attractions designed mainly for children aged 2 to 13, featuring multiple themed areas, indoor water play, and an indoor NERF arena as well as an on-site hotel and a WWII heritage centre.
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.
Warrington is a historic industrial town in Cheshire, England, known for its Roman origins, market town heritage, vibrant shopping centers, cultural venues, and outdoor green spaces. It offers diverse leisure, music festivals, museums, and rich local history.
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.
Sandbach Crosses are two elaborately carved 9th-century Anglo-Saxon stone crosses located in the marketplace of Sandbach, Cheshire. They are outdoor historic monuments known for their religious and Celtic carvings, historically and artistically significant as Grade I listed structures and scheduled ancient monuments.
Sandbach is a historic market town in Cheshire, known for its Saxon crosses, vibrant market tradition, cultural festivals, and rich heritage buildings. It offers a walkable town centre with accessible train and bus services, providing diverse experiences for visitors.
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.
Nether Alderley Mill is a historic 16th-century watermill in Cheshire featuring a rare triple overshot waterwheel system with two wheels still operational, restored and maintained by the National Trust. Visitors can explore both the mill's indoor machinery and the surrounding outdoor mill pond and grounds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chester Castle in Cheshire features medieval castle remains combined with neoclassical buildings designed by Thomas Harrison, housing a military museum and Crown Court. Visitors can explore historic Norman architecture including a chapel with frescoes, extensive castle walls, and experience the castle's role through English history.
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…
Visitors can use a free spotter guide to explore the wall paintings and protective marks at Little Moreton Hall, learning about Tudor interior design and how conservators care for historic paintings.
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.
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.
12 Oct–8 Nov (next week)
Visitors follow an outdoor trail around the grounds of Speke Hall, completing five activities to discover a magic word and reunite the Sorceress of Speke with her lost animal familiars.
Potteries Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping mall in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, featuring over 90 stores, a historic market hall, and an adjacent outdoor leisure complex with restaurants and a cinema. It offers a comprehensive retail and leisure experience for visitors.
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.
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.
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.