Things to Do in Cheshire

Polly Checkland Harding

Dividing the hills of North Wales from the Peak District, the county of Cheshire is best known for its historic villages, industrial heritage and picturesque landscapes. The city of Chester is the urban centre, the town of Crewe a rising cultural contender and the market town of Macclesfield an increasing draw that’s a direct train ride east from Manchester city centre.

Chester is a city of opposites: historic and modern. Bustling and peaceful. Big enough to keep you busy and small enough to get everywhere on foot. Discover Roman walls, Chester Cathedral – founded in 1541 and now a cultural hub – and the £37m arts centre Storyhouse all in one city, as well as Michelin starred restaurants and the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. Crewe, meanwhile, takes its name from the old Welsh for ‘crossing’ – a fitting name for the village that launched the Victorian railway network. Delve into the history of the railway at the Heritage Centre, visit Edwardian theatre The Lyceum, or explore the independent traders at the recently revamped Crewe Market Hall.

A former centre for silk manufacturing, Macclesfield is notable for its proximity to Manchester city centre, and for the independent food and drink scene that’s really putting the town on the map. The Picturedrome is Macclesfield’s equivalent of phenomenally popular food halls Altrincham Market and Mackie Mayor, while the historic Treacle Market continues to evolve in the present day. With Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Macclesfield Forest and Jodrell Bank all to be found in the surrounding countryside, it’s worth roaming further afield too. Read on to discover more.

What's on in Cheshire

Where to go in Cheshire

Northern Quarter
Shop
Makers Markets

Featuring artists, designers, upcyclers and a host of food and drink vendors, Makers Markets can be found throughout the north of England, bringing the best artisans to the communities in which they live.

Cheshire
BeWILDerwood

BeWILDerwood in Cheshire is an entire forest of family fun with an enchanting story behind it

Cheshire
Event venue
Cheshire Workshops

Located in the scenic Cheshire countryside on the Sandstone Trail, Cheshire Workshops offers candle-making workshops for the whole family.

Cheshire House Bar and Grill
Cheshire
Restaurant
Cheshire House Bar and Grill

Based in the heart of Knutsford, Cheshire House Bar and Grill combines a beautiful location with top-level cuisine and a superb range of drinks.

Nantwich
Shop
Walk the Line Vintage

Walk the Line Vintage, Nantwich, is an independent, quirky gathering of stylish, unusual pieces, selected for their prints with a difference and classics with a twist.

Dagfields Craft and Antiques Centre
Nantwich
Shop
Dagfields Craft and Antiques Centre

Dagfields Craft and Antiques Centre, Nantwich truly lives up to its name. There’s crafts, and antiques, and it’s all housed in a centre which is open seven days a week, making it so easy to pop in and explore.

Danes Moss Nature Reserve
Macclesfield
Park
Danes Moss Nature Reserve

Danes Moss near Macclesfield is an oasis of lowland raised bog, one of the scarcest and most threatened habitats in the UK. The open areas of the bog are covered with cotton grass, cross-leaved heath and at least six species of sphagnum moss.

Quaker's Coppice
Crewe
Park
Quaker’s Coppice

A beautiful area of ancient woodland on the edge of Crewe. It feels ancient and has a special atmosphere. Make sure you take your camera. There is always something worth looking at and enjoying whether it is the trees or the wildlife.

Joey the Swan
Crewe
Park
Joey the Swan

This attractive area of open countryside and parkland is rich in wildlife, including ancient trees and a wildflower garden planted by the volunteers of Wistaston Conservation Group. The path generally follows the line of Wistaston Brook.

Cheshire Visitor Guides

Hypha restaurant Chester
Food and Drink in Cheshire

Our guide to food and drink in Cheshire, featuring restaurants and bars in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.

Walks in Crewe
Walks in Crewe

A range of walks, hikes and places to wander around in Crewe, featuring cultural landmarks and routes through rural landscape.

Walks in Macclesfield
Walks in Macclesfield

Our guide to the parks and natural landscape available in Macclesfield, including rural retreats and hiking routes.

Delemere Forest
Walks in Chester

A round-up of the best walks in Liverpool, including the city centre, its many parks, and over the water by Creative Tourist.

Mottram Hall
Hotels in Cheshire

To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to the best hotels in Cheshire, including Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.

The Antiques Shop, Chester
Shopping in Cheshire

Our guide to the best shops in Cheshire, including independents, boutiques and markets in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.

Chester Cathedral
Attractions in Cheshire

Our guide to the best attractions in the Cheshire, including galleries, theatres, museums and more in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.

Things to Do in Liverpool
Spotlight on

Things to Do in Liverpool

Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.

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