Cheshire packs a lot into one county. You have a Roman walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage observatory, the most visited attraction in the UK outside London, ancient market towns, and miles of canal and countryside walks, all within a short drive of each other. Whether you have a free afternoon or a long weekend, here are the best things to do in Cheshire, with a proper look at the market town of Congleton along the way.
At a glance, the highlights are:
- Chester for Roman walls, the medieval Rows and the cathedral
- Chester Zoo for a full family day out
- Jodrell Bank for deep space and the Lovell Telescope
- Tatton Park for a grand house, gardens and roaming deer
- Congleton for hill walks, a lakeside park and a wonky Tudor hall
- Delamere Forest for woodland trails and treetop adventure
This guide was put together with the team at Slingshot Marketing, an SEO Agency in Cheshire who know the local area well.
1. Walk the walls and Rows in Chester
Start with the county’s headline act. Chester has the most complete city walls in Britain, and the roughly two-mile circuit is free to walk, giving you views over the racecourse, the river and the rooftops as you go.
Down in the centre, the Rows are a genuine one-off: two tiers of medieval galleried shops you will not find anywhere else. Add Chester Cathedral and the riverside at the Groves, and you have an easy half-day without spending much at all.
2. Make a day of Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is the most visited attraction in the UK outside London, and once you are inside its sprawling grounds you can see why. Home to around 30,000 animals and open since 1931, it is built for a full day rather than a quick look.
Allow plenty of time, wear comfortable shoes, and book ahead in school holidays when it gets busy. It works just as well for couples and groups as it does for families.
3. Look into deep space at Jodrell Bank
Near Goostrey you will find Jodrell Bank, a working radio observatory and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. The giant Lovell Telescope is the star turn, but the planetarium shows, exhibitions and gardens make it a great day whether or not you know your galaxies.
If you can time a visit for the summer, the site hosts the Bluedot festival, mixing music with science talks under the dish.
4. Explore Tatton Park near Knutsford
Tatton Park is one of the county’s grand estates, with a mansion, formal and themed gardens, a working farm and a deer park where the herds roam freely. There is enough here for a full day, and the parkland alone is worth the trip.
It also hosts a busy events calendar through the year, including the RHS flower show in summer, so check what is on before you go.
5. Get outdoors at Delamere Forest
Delamere is Cheshire’s largest forest and the place to head for fresh air. There are walking and cycling trails to suit all abilities, a lake to circle, and a Go Ape course in the treetops for anyone after a bit more adventure.
It is dog friendly and easy to reach, which makes it a reliable fallback when you just want to be outside.
6. Step into history at Quarry Bank Mill
Near Styal, the National Trust’s Quarry Bank is one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites. You can see the cotton-spinning machinery running, walk the wooded valley along the River Bollin, and step inside the Apprentice House to learn how child workers once lived.
It is a thought-provoking day out and a good rainy-day option, with plenty of indoor exhibits.
7. Spend a day in Congleton
Congleton is an east Cheshire market town on the banks of the River Dane, nicknamed “Beartown” thanks to a colourful bit of local history. It celebrated its 750th charter year in 2022 and has a lively independent scene of cafes, pubs and small shops.
For walkers, the town is hard to beat. The Cloud, also known as Bosley Cloud, is a prominent hill on the edge of the Peak District with sweeping views across the Cheshire plain. Closer to the centre, Astbury Mere Country Park sits on a former sand quarry just a ten-minute walk from town, with easy waterside paths and a cafe.
The standout sight is Little Moreton Hall, a National Trust property a short drive away. This timber-framed Tudor house has leaned and tilted for over 500 years yet still stands around its moat, and it is one of the most photographed buildings in the county. Round off the day in Congleton Park or with a real ale in one of the town’s many pubs.
8. Browse the shops in Knutsford
Knutsford is a handsome town of independent shops, delis and restaurants, with Tatton Park right on its doorstep. It also has a literary claim to fame, having inspired the fictional town in Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel “Cranford”.
It makes a relaxed half-day, especially paired with a morning at Tatton.
9. Soak up the history of Nantwich
Nantwich is a beautifully preserved market town, full of black-and-white Tudor buildings and centred on the striking St Mary’s Church. Its wealth was built on salt, and you can still swim in the brine-filled outdoor pool in summer.
Each year the town also hosts one of the world’s biggest cheese shows, a fitting tribute in the home county of Cheshire cheese.
10. Discover Macclesfield’s silk story
Macclesfield was once the silk capital of the country, and that heritage lives on at the Silk Museum and the preserved working looms of Paradise Mill. It is a compact, interesting visit that tells a story you will not get elsewhere in the region.
The surrounding hills and the nearby Peak District make it a good base for combining town and country.
11. See the Anderton Boat Lift
Near Northwich, the Anderton Boat Lift is an extraordinary piece of Victorian engineering, often called the Cathedral of the Canals. It lifts boats between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal, and you can ride it yourself on a boat trip or simply watch it work.
It is a quietly impressive stop and great for anyone with an interest in how things were built.
12. Climb to Beeston Castle and the Sandstone Trail
Beeston Castle sits on a rocky crag with some of the finest views in Cheshire, said to take in several counties on a clear day. It also marks a point on the Sandstone Trail, the long-distance path running across the county’s red sandstone ridge from Frodsham to Whitchurch.
You can tackle a short circular section or take on a longer stretch, depending on how much energy you have.
Where to eat: Cheshire’s food scene
Wherever you base yourself, eat local. Cheshire cheese is one of Britain’s oldest named cheeses, crumbly and mild, and it turns up everywhere from farm shops to pub ploughman’s. The county is dotted with excellent farm shops and cafes, so it is easy to put together a picnic before a walk or settle in for a long lunch after one.
From the Roman streets of Chester to the wonky timbers of Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire rewards a slow look. Pick a couple of these to pair together, leave room for a cheese stop, and you have the makings of a very good day out.
