Your Summer break in Cheshire

Visiting Cheshire midweek is the perfect opportunity to save money, beat the crowds and benefit from a huge range of summer deals, packages and experiences. If you’re in need of inspiration for just what to do, where to stay and where to eat and drink, we’ve pulled together some of the very best from across the county. You can save with a host of hotel offers, enjoy the perks of visiting our attractions midweek, and explore some completely free things to do on your break to Cheshire. So if you’re thinking of booking a stay in Cheshire, why not do it this summer?
 

Places to Stay
 

Cheshire is renowned for its huge and varied selection of accommodation. With everything from grand country estates to boutique inns, its simply a case of choosing your perfect night’s stay. By staying midweek you’re already saving on room rates compared with weekend stays and there’s a huge range of hotel deals and packages available this summer.
 

The Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall

In scenic Tattenhall, not far from Chester and nestled in the Peckforton Hill, the Pheasant Inn offers a boutique hotel experience within a quintessentially British inn. There are magnificent panoramic views from the pub and restaurant terrace and there are some gorgeous walking routes from the inn along the Sandstone trail. You can save whenyou stay this summer with the Summer Escape package, which includes and overnight stay, dinner and breakfast from just £139 per room. And if you’re bringing your four-legged friend, the Pheasant in also dog friendly.

 

The Bear’s Paw, Warmingham

The sister property to the Pheasant, The Bear’s Paw can be found in the east of Cheshire in Warmingham, just outside the scenic market town of Sandbach. Another fantastic boutique country inn, you can also enjoy the Summer Escape package from just £139 per room. This is a great option if you’re exploring the east of the county with destinations like Sandbach, Crewe and Macclesfield. With easy access to the M6, you can rest assured you’re I a prime location  to explore Cheshire.

Kerridge End Holiday Cottages 

Found in the picturesque village of Rainow in the Cheshire Peaks, Kerridge End Holiday Cottages are a slice of real luxury and a perfect self-catering option. With three gorgeously restored stone cottages to choose from sleeping anywhere from two to six, these cottages are ideal for exploring everything in the east of Cheshire from the Peak District National Park - perfect for rambling and cycling, to Macclesfield with its great selection of shops, bars and restaurants, and the world-famous Jodrell Bank. And for those who may enjoy a tipple, Kerridge End is just a stone's throw away from The Forest Distillery - Cheshire's award-winning spirit makers, as well as The Cat & Fiddle, where guests can sip a drink in Britain's highest whisky distillery (at 1,689ft above sea level). And with easy transport links via car or rail from Macclesfield, the you can explore even further afield. These cottages are available to book now and are an ideal way to experience the Cheshire Peaks.

The Park Royal Hotel & Spa, Warrington

Just outside Warrington and with easy access to the M56 there’s the Park Royal Hotel and Spa. Nestled in the leafy village of Stretton and partly housed in a 19^th century vicarage, this 4-star hotel is perfect for exploring Warrington and its attractions like Walton Hall, shops and many bars and restaurants as well as being conveniently near the motorway and two stations in Warrington so you can easily explore further afield. This summer you can save 25% with a three-night summer break package, which starts from just £198 per person and includes your choice of dining.

Need more inspiration? Find more summer Accommodation Offers here
 

Spa Breaks
 

Cheshire is also home to a magnificent array of Spa Hotels. Whether you want to make it a full spa stay, or simply enjoy a day at a world-class spa, you can save by booking midweek. Make sure to see our Spa Offers page for more.

Explore Spa Offers here
 

Things to Do (plus where to eat)
 

This summer is the perfect time to explore some of Cheshire's finest attractions. From discounted entry to completely free things to do, you won't be short of activities to keep you entertained.

Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas

In the south of Cheshire outside the historic market town of Malpas you can find Cholmondeley Castle and its sublime gardens. The gardens are perfect for visiting in the summer with a huge variety of plants and flowers in bloom on the 70-acre garden site which includes a variety of walkways, displays and arrangements. There’s also over 660 acres of historic parkland on the estate - all set against the backdrop of the 19^th century castle -that are waiting to be explored. The gardens are only open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday so visiting midweek is a perfect chance to explore this Cheshire gem. Adult entry is just £8.50.

And if you’re looking for where to eat after exploring Cholmondeley Catle, there’s the charming Cholmondeley Arms on the estate which has won numerous awards and offers a great menu of reasonably priced dishes. Or there’s The Lion at Malpas. This recently-refurbished gastropub and hotel has a diverse menu as well as lunches and an extensive wine list.

 

Tatton Park, Knutsford

On the edge of the metropolitan town of Knutsford Tatton Park is great to explore midweek. There’s over 1000-acres of parkland to explore with red deer to spot as well as the 50-acres of  carefully maintained gardens, the historic mansion, the farm and the Stableyard with café and shopping. If you’re driving, entry ranges from £8-£9.50, and if you arrive on foot or on bike entry to the parkland is free. You can save 10% by booking in advance online up to three days before your visit. There’s also the Totally Tatton ticket which gives entry to the mansion, gardens and farm from £14.

If you don’t decide to eat in the Gardeners Kitchen or Stableyard café at Tatton, you’re only a stone’s throw away from Knutsford, which is full of pubs, bars and restaurants like Evuna, where you can enjoy 3 tapas for £14.50 Tuesday – Friday.

 

Anderton Boat Lift

Just outside the historic salt town of Northwich you’ll find Anderton Boat Lift. Nicknamed the Cathedral of the Canals, its one of Cheshire’s proudest monuments to the industrial past. A revolution in canal technology, the boat lift makes for a superb midweek day out. General admission to the site including the visitors centre is completely free, and if you want to experience the lift for yourself boat trips operate seven days a week and tickets are just £14.50. The boat lift is set within a large and scenic site with plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic. What’s more, the site borders Anderton Nature Park which makes for a great walking route where you can spot some Great British plant and wildlife.

If you need inspiration for where to eat, just a stone’s throw away from Anderton Boat Lift is the Stanley Arms. It’s a quintessentially Cheshire pub serving a traditional menu alongside real ales, wines and spirits. You can even enjoy two courses for just £12.95.

 

Warrington Museum and Art Gallery

Alongside Warrington’s numerous shops, bars and restaurants there’s the hidden gem that is the Warrington Museum and Art Gallery. It’s one of the oldest museums in the country and is home to fascinating exhibitions from art to Egyptology. This cultural hub is definitely worth a midweek visit with free entry Wednesday – Friday 10am-4:30pm, giving you ample time to explore everything from dinosaurs to modern art.

 And if you’re looking for somewhere to eat, why not try Warrington’s award-winning market. Having recently undergone a major transformation, the market is home to a fantastic range of independent food outlets with everything from Thai to vegan junk food as well as two bars. Midweek is a perfect time to visit as the market can get busy on weekends.

 

The Silk Museum and Paradise Mill, Macclesfield

Macclesfield, also know as Silk Town, has a rich industrial history based around the silk trade. Now home to a bustling high street with independent shops, bars restaurants and more, you can still find Macclesfield’s silk heritage at the Silk Museum. With exhibitions exploring the history of the silk industry, including silk’s links to ancient Egypt, silk during wartime and a host of historic machinery, there’s a lot to explore and entry is by donation on a give what you can basis (open Wednesday – Saturday 10am-4pm. If you want to explore Macclesfield’s silk heritage further, Paradise Mill offers demonstrations on original Jacquard looms and guided tours starting from £11 for adults and £9.50 concessions.

There are many great places to eat in Macclesfield, and if you’re looking for a diverse range in one place, Picturedrome is a perfect option. Set within Macclesfield’s first cinema, Picturedrome is now home to a host of independent food outlets with everything from Neapolitan pizza to mezze and mussels. Open Tuesday-Sunday, midweek is a great time to visit and miss the crowds.

 

Save on Travel
 

You can also save on travel by visiting Chester & Cheshire by train. Off-peak train fares with Avanti and Northern will save on travel and spare the stresses of driving. Some example fares include:

London Euston – Chester from £60.20 return per person with Avanti West Coast

Manchester Picadilly – Chester from £12.90 per person return with Northern

Leeds – Chester from £20.50 per person return with Northern

Birmingham New Street – Chester from £30 per person return with Transport for Wales

Cheshire is connected via the Mid Cheshire line, which takes you through the county from Chester to Manchester. There are also large rail hubs in Crewe and Warrington, making it easy to visit Cheshire on the rails this summer.