Attractions in Cheshire

Polly Checkland Harding Last Updated 24 May 2023

Our guide to the best attractions in the Cheshire includes two traditional northern market halls in Crewe and Macclesfield, and the oldest racecourse in the UK – potentially the world – on the edge of Chester. Steeped in history, this is a county in which you can see the remains of a Roman legionary fortress, and a castle founded in 1070, as well as evidence of the North’s mercantile heritage at Macclesfield’s Silk Museum and Paradise Mill. Equally, there’s no shortage of cutting-edge culture here: head to the Platform Theatre Company for innovative theatre in Crewe, to Chester’s largest independent music venue The Live Rooms, or the Substation in Macclesfield, where there’s a climbing wall, yoga studio, cafe and events space all under one roof.

To discover one of the UK’s best parks, where to go for spectacular views and abundant wildlife and much more, read on.

Chester Castle

Chester Castle, Grosvenor Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2DN - Visit now

Chester Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in 1070 and became the administrative centre of the earldom of Chester.

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Tegg’s Nose Country Park

Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Rd, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 0AP - Visit now

Located on the western edge of the Peak District, just outside of Macclesfield, Tegg’s Nose Country Park is a popular destination for families, walkers and outdoor sports enthusiasts alike.

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Dewa Roman Experience

Dewa Roman Experience, Pierpoint Lane, Off Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1NL - Visit now

Dewa Roman Experience occupies a unique site at the heart of the original legionary fortress. In 1991 archaeologists discovered remains of the fortress on this site and the excavations have been left open for public viewing.

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The Silk Museum

The Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6TJ - Visit now

Housed in a 19th-century art school, The Silk Museum takes visitors through Macclesfield’s history as a silk town with a range of exhibits and events.

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Crewe Lyceum Theatre

Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DA - Visit now

Crewe Lyceum Theatre showcases a rolling programme of planned events, including classic musicals, live concerts and cutting-edge comedy.

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Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral, St Werburgh St, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2DY - Visit now

Chester Cathedral has moved with the times and is a spiritual and cultural hub hosting a packed programme of events throughout the year.

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Crewe Heritage Centre

Crewe Heritage Centre, Crewe Heritage Centre, Vernon Way, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2DB - Visit now

Crewe Heritage Centre was originally part of the Crewe Heritage Festival, and officially opened on 24 July 1987 by HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

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Grosvenor Museum

Grosvenor Museum, 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2DD - Visit now

The Grosvenor Museum is a treasure trove of amazing artefacts and exhibitions that tell the epic story of Chester through the ages.

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Substation

Substation, Queens Court, Queen's Ave, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 2BN - Visit now

Located just outside of Macclesfield town centre, Substation is an all-in-one climbing wall, yoga studio, cafe and events space.

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Chester Little Theatre

Chester Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3HR - Visit now

Chester’s longest running theatre, Chester Little Theatre, is an intimate venue showcasing top performances.

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St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s Parish Office, Church Walk,, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5RG - Visit now

St. Mary’s Church is nestled in the heart of Nantwich, visually dominating for its Gothic architecture and renowned for its unique details.

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Crewe Market Hall

Crewe Market Hall, 27 Earle Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 2BL - Visit now

Crewe Market Hall offers shopping and dining under one roof, bringing street food, fresh food produce and independent retail together.

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The Live Rooms

The Live Rooms, 1 Station Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3DR - Visit now

The Live Rooms is Chester’s largest independent live music venue and nightclub and has hosted some of the biggest names in music.

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Paradise Mill

Paradise Mill, Park Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6TJ - Visit now

Paradise Mill is a museum devoted to early-20th-century silk weaving, featuring working handlooms in their original setting.

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Nantwich Museum

Nantwich Museum, Pillory Street, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5BQ - Visit now

Nantwich Museum holds an exemplary archive of local history, including artefacts on roman salt making and the Civil War.

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ChesterBoat

ChesterBoat, The Boating Station, Souters Lane, The Groves, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1SZ - Visit now

ChesterBoat is a family-owned business with more than 40 year’s experience of welcoming visitors to the beautiful River Dee.

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Mads Theatre

Mads Theatre, Lord St, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6S - Visit now

A theatre that can trace its origins back to 1947, Macclesfield Amateur Dramatics Society (or MADS) is dedicated to serving the town and its people.

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Queens Park

Queens Park, Victoria Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 7SJ - Visit now

Queens Park in Crewe holds a Green Flag Award as one of the UK’s best parks, renowned for its historic features and bee protection.

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Alexander’s Live

Alexander’s Live, Rufus Court, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2JW - Visit now

Alexander’s Live puts on an amazing range of live music including jazz, blues, soul, roots and rock, comedy and drama.

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West Park Museum

West Park Museum, Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 3BJ - Visit now

West Park Museum was purpose built to house the Egyptian collections of Victorian explorer Marianne Brocklehurst, daughter of the Macclesfield mill owner, John Brocklehurst.

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Platform Theatre Company

Platform Theatre Company, N/A, Crewe, Cheshire, CW12AL - Visit now

Platform Theatre Company is an innovative theatre dedicated to promoting new work and voices in the cultural sector.

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Chester Visitor Information Centre

Chester Visitor Information Centre, Town Hall, Northgate St, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HJ - Visit now

Chester Visitor Information Centre is the meeting point for Tours Around Chester, which offers a variety of themed tours around Chester.

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Little Roodee Cafe

Little Roodee Cafe, Little RooDee Training Academy, Castle Drive, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1SL - Visit now

Little Roodee Cafe is the meeting point for Chester Cycle Tours who will help you to explore Chester’s most fascinating places.

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Chester Racecourse

Chester Racecourse, The Racecourse, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2LY - Visit now

Chester racecourse is the oldest in the UK and possibly the world; the first recorded race was held here on 9th February 1539.

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Where to go in Cheshire

Crewe

Museum

Nantwich Museum

The history of one of Cheshire’s most attractive and historic towns is brought to life at Nantwich Museum. The Museum’s main galleries tell the story of Nantwich through the ages – Roman salt making, Tudor Nantwich’s Great Fire, the Civil War Battle of Nantwich (1644) and the more recent shoe and clothing industries.

Crewe

Museum

Crewe Heritage Centre

Steam into 175 years of railway history at Crewe Heritage Centre with exhibits that tell the story of Crewe’s train building days and the locomotion connection.

Macclesfield

Museum

West Park Museum

West Park Museum was purpose built to house the Egyptian collections of Victorian explorer Marianne Brocklehurst, daughter of the Macclesfield mill owner, John Brocklehurst.

Chester

Museum

Dewa Roman Experience

Macclesfield

Museum

The Silk Museum

Housed in a 19th-century art school, The Silk Museum takes visitors through Macclesfield’s history as a silk town with a range of exhibits and events.

Macclesfield

Museum

Paradise Mill

Paradise Mill is a museum devoted to early-20th-century silk weaving, featuring working handlooms in their original setting.

Chester

Museum

Grosvenor Museum

Discover Grosvenor Museum, from Roman artefacts to silver hallmarked in Chester, the Grosvenor Museum explores the rich history of Chester and the surrounding areas.

Cheshire

Museum

Lion Salt Works

A beautifully restored, historic open-pan salt making site, situated on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

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

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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

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

Walks in Chester

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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.

Cheshire District Guides

Things to Do in Chester

Chester is both historic and modern. Bustling and peaceful. Packed with enough historical landmarks and culture to keep you busy, but small enough to still get everywhere on foot.

Things to do in Macclesfield

Sat on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this former silk town combines contemporary culture, food, and drink with spectacular landscapes.

Things to do in Crewe

A selection of cultural venues, rural sights, bars, pubs and eateries, gathered to showcase the highlights of Crewe’s budding local scene.

Hotels in Chester

To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to hotels in Chester.

Restaurants in Chester

One of the most beautiful city’s in the North, Chester is a wonderful historic city, with a wealth of high-end restaurants.

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Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

A young boy with a white sash around his left arm cries.

Cinema in the North

Outdoor cinema announcements, a major retrospective at HOME, and the best of indie cinema.

Theatre in the North

Experimental performance, thought-provoking new writing and our picks of Manchester International Festival - here’s what’s taking centre stage this summer.