There is much to do in Chester and Cheshire, now we can walk around freely again.
Here are 17 great ideas for day trips, short breaks, and stays in the county on and after May 17th.
Visit www.visitcheshire.com for more suggestions
1: MEET THE TWIGGLES AT BEWILDERWOOD
Cheshire is home to the new BeWILDerwood, the award-winning forest full of outdoor adventure for families. Just like the popular Norfolk original, BeWILDerwood Cheshire features tree houses, bobble wires, slippery slopes, crocklebogs and much more. Go to https://cheshire.bewilderwood.co.uk
2: STAY THE NIGHT IN THE DELAMERE FOREST
Forest Holidays made it possible for the first time to stay under the Delamere Forest canopy. In this former hunting ground of medieval gentlemen, 67 huts with little space requirements, including tree houses, with luxurious extras such as pizza ovens and whirlpools have just opened. Go to www.forestholidays.co.uk
3: BURN THE BUBBLES IN PORT SUNLIGHT
A little fun is a big part of studying STEM subjects. That is the goal of SoapWorks in Port Sunlight, the historic village for workers at William Lever’s Sunlight factory in Wirral. In the playful new interactive experience that opens the village schoolroom to the public for the first time, teenagers can learn all about the life-saving properties of this everyday essential soap. Go to www.portsunlightvillage.com
4: SCALE THE HEIGHT IN CARDEN PARK
A new aerial adventure, Vertigo at Carden, opens May 17th at Carden Park near Chester. Adrenaline thrills are guaranteed for both day visitors and hotel guests. The challenges include 10 obstacles in the air, a 210-meter zip line, a climbing wall, and a 10-meter free fall into a giant stunt pillow. Go to www.cardenpark.co.uk/vertigo-at-carden
5: A LOOK BACK AT HARE HILL
The historic boundaries outside the walled garden at Hare Hill near Macclesfield have been recreated in line with the vision of its ultimate owner, Colonel Charles Brockhurst (1904-1977). Other attractions include magnificent rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas. Go to http://nationaltrust.org.uk/hare-hill
6: CELEBRATE 90 YEARS OF CHESTER ZOO
Chester Zoo turns 90 this year and this spring is opening the new Latin American wetland aviary, where visitors can see Caribbean flamingos and saffron finches and learn about efforts to conserve their numbers. Chester Zoo’s ambition to be a litter-free zoo by 2030 inspired Love It For Longer, a sustainability spectacle, starting June 11th. It will be 100 percent total rubbish; Exploring the world of waste, from plastic and technology to water – and even feces. Go to www.chesterzoo.org
7: MAKE (TRAIN) TRACKS TO THE CHESTER CATHEDRAL
Pete Waterman OBE and the builders of ‘Leamington Spa’ will be hosting this summer’s must-see model railroading event in the nave of Chester Cathedral from July 17th to September 3rd. “Making Tracks” shows the West Coast Mainline – a 74-foot OO model with the work of local boy and world-famous railroad engineer Thomas Brassey. Go to https://chestercathedral.com/event/making-tracks
8: VISIT PERCY THE PARK KEEPER AT TATTON PARK
Percy, the park ranger, shows the little one a secret trail and treasure hunt through the gardens and rare breed farm at Tatton Park near Knutsford until September 5th. Along the way, they meet animal characters from Nick Butterworth’s popular children’s books, including Percy’s new friend Lucy the Calf. Go to www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_at_tatton_park/a-year-of-percy-the-park-keeper.aspx
9: PORTS ABOUT MAPS AT LION SALT WORKS
The pandemic has made walking and off the beaten path favorite pastimes. Now, ‘Magic of Maps’ at Lion Salt Works aims to make map reading a fun adventure for teenagers from June 2nd to 3rd. Inquisitive teens can flip through maps with a map pack featuring treasure hunt and other activities. Go to www.visitcheshire.com/whats-on/the-magic-of-maps-p282831
10: TAKE FIDO ON A SIGHTSEEING RUN IN CHESTER
Visitors vacationing with their four-legged friend can now look forward to a new 5K Dog Run tour of the city with Tours Around Chester. The pace is set for man / woman and animal – it’s a run, not a race – and the guide provides a full overview of Chester and the sights along the route, including the cathedral, racecourse, and castle. People are rewarded with an invigorating coffee, while Fido is given a bowl of refreshing water and a delicious treat. Go to www.toursaroundchester.co.uk
Dee River Kayaking
11: Splash on the River Dee
White water kayaking on Chester Weir in the heart of the city and paddling with views of Chester Meadows, Old Dee Bridge and the Roman Walls are two new tours on the water now offered by Dee River Kayaking. In the meantime, Chester Boat will be skipping new private picnic excursions. Picnic Boat Hire is the perfect socially distant day trip for up to six passengers. The special sailing includes optional afternoon tea and soda (with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus). Go to www.deeriverkayaking.com, www.chesterboat.co.uk
12: LEARN TO SWIMMING IN THE FOREST AT TATTON PARK
Bathing in the forest is quickly becoming a popular way to reconnect with nature. Now, Tatton Park offers visitors a step-by-step beginner’s guide to this popular canopy pastime with some of the most prized trees in its 50 acres of gardens. Go to www.tattonpark.org.uk
13: Just join in the family fun
At the award-winning Just So family festival at Rode Hall near Congleton from August 20-22, small fantasies meet outdoor art in a sweeping cultural explosion. The creative vortex includes midnight celebrations, stories and comedies, giant magpie dolls, a rainbow color fight, and a circus with a scientific twist. Go to www.justsofestival.org.uk
14: WATCH THE CURTAIN IN THE GROSVENOR PARK OPEN-AIR THEATER
Britain’s largest and best open air theater returns with an extended season from May 29th to August 30th at Chester’s Grosvenor Park with The Jungle Book, Pride and Prejudice and The Merry Wives of Windsor. The performances at Grosvenor Park Open-Air Theater are among more than 200 outdoor events produced by Storyhouse, the city’s award-winning arts center. Others include Moonlight Flicks, outdoor screenings in Chester, Wirral and Nantwich with family favorites, cult classics and contemporary blockbusters. Go to www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk, www.moonlightflicks.co.uk, www.storyhouse.com
PRE-COVID Grosvenor Park Open Air Theater
15: Try the best of the Northwest at TATTON PARK
The UK’s largest food festival returns to Tatton Park this summer from July 9-11, showcasing the best food and drink from the North West. Tom Rhodes, the recently crowned winner of BBC’s MasterChef, will cook live and there will be entertainment from Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Go to www.tattonpark.org.uk
16: HEAR THE BARBER FROM SEVILLE AT CLONTER OPERA
Clonter Opera is reopening the doors of its rural theater near Swettenham this spring and summer. First “Jazz im Juni” on June 5th, followed by a production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville from July 15th to 24th. Go to www.clonter.org
17: BOOK A TICKET FOR RHS TATTON PARK
Celebrating color, creativity, community, and the positive power of plants and flowers, RHS Flower Show Tatton Park returns July 21-25 this summer. In the Community Borders there is a lot of inspiration for gardening, innovative back to back gardens and the creations of new talent in the RHS Young Designer Gardens. Go to www.rhs.org.uk.
Lamb at Tatton Park Farm
