Attractions in Cheshire

Polly Checkland Harding

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.

Our top picks

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.

Image by Carmel Smickersgill

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.

Teggs Nose

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.

Dewa Roman Experience
Courtesy of Dewa Roman Experience

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.

The Silk Museum

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.

Crewe Lyceum Theatre
Courtesy of Crewe Lyceum Theatre

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.

Chester Cathedral
Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

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.

Crewe Heritage Centre
Courtesy of Crewe Heritage Centre

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.

Courtesy of The Grosvenor Museum

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.

Substation

Reaseheath Mini Zoo

Reaseheath Mini Zoo, Reaseheath College, Reaseheath Roundabout, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF - Visit now

Reaseheath Zoo is a small animal collection in the heart of Reaseheath College in Nantwich, giving home to over 170 species of animals.

Reaseheath Mini Zoo
Courtesy of Reaseheath Mini Zoo

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.

Chester Little Theatre
Courtesy of Chester Little Theatre

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.

St. Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church, Nantwich

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.

Crewe Market Hall
Courtesy of Crewe Market Hall

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.

The Live Rooms, Chester
Courtesy of The Live Rooms

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.

Paradise Mill

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.

Nantwich Museum
Courtesy of Nantwich Museum

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.

ChesterBoat river cruise, Chester
Courtesy of ChesterBoat

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.

Mads Theatre

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.

Queens Park
Courtesy of The Friends of Queens Park

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.

Courtesy of Alexander's Live

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.

West Park Museum

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.

Platform Theatre Company
Platform Theatre Crewe

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.

Chester
Courtesy of Visit Cheshire

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.

Little Roodee Cafe, Chester
Courtesy of Vivo Care Choices Ltd

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.

Chester Racecourse
Courtesy of Chester Racecourse

Where to go in Cheshire

Reaseheath Mini Zoo
Crewe
Tourist Attraction
Reaseheath Mini Zoo

Reaseheath Zoo is a small animal collection in the heart of Reaseheath College, Nantwich. The zoo is home to over 170 species of animals.

Nantwich Museum
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 Heritage Centre
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.

Dewa Roman Experience
Chester
Museum
Dewa Roman Experience

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.

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.

Lion Salt Works Museum
Cheshire
Museum
Lion Salt Works

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

Cheshire Visitor Guides

Stately Homes in the North

The North of England is blessed with countless stunning stately homes, many dating back decades and even centuries. Here are some of the very best.

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.

Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for some ideas to keep little and big kids as busy as the Easter bunny? Check out our guide.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.