An ultimate Christmas weekend in Cheshire
This festive season take a Christmas staycation in Cheshire. There’s a lot going on to keep you feeling festive this December. Whether you’re looking for sparkling Christmas events, excellent festive fayre or even some extreme outdoor pursuits, you can find it all on your Cheshire Christmas staycation. We’ve put together this itinerary for inspiration:
Cheshire has some of the finest accommodation around, with everything from opulent country estates to chic boutiques. So first things first, you’ll want to choose somewhere to rest your head after a long day’s festivities. Need some inspiration? We’ve put together a guide to some spectacular deals this December.
Christmas Crystals at Lion Salt Works
This Christmas explore Cheshire’s history at Northwich’s Lion Salt Works Museum, one of the country’s foremost industrial heritage museums. There’s a lot on offer from a brand new exhibition to a new Christmas Crystal Trail. The trail will run for two weekends - 12-13 December and 19-20 December -as well as in the run up to Christmas on 22 and 23 December. The first 100 children will receive a free gift at the end of the trail. What’s more, at sunset on Saturday 12-13 December, the giant wall of Pan House 5 will also be illuminated with pictures of snow scenes, salt crystals and pictures of Father Christmas at the Lion Salt Works Museum.
Set sail for festive fun at Anderton Boat Lift
Christmas events at the Anderton Boat Lift will be a little different this year, but the activities are sure to bring Christmas cheer to one and all. There’s Christmas crafts, where you can create your own candle holder in an outdoor pod. Explore the grounds with Christmas bingo and see how many things you can spot. Can you get a line or even a full house? Enjoy festive hot drinks and food and decorate the Christmas wish tree and write your Christmas wish on one of the tree decorations. Searching for the perfect Christmas gift? Take a look around the gift shop for a selection of gift ideas for all the family including 25% off selected items. And as Santa is unable to meet families on the boat this year, he has recorded an extra special message for you. Step inside the visitor centre to watch the Christmas message. Children can write their own letter to Santa and drop it off in the special postbox!
Step back in time at Davenports Tea Room
Davenports Victorian Christmas is like stepping back in time, some customers have even said they feel like they are on a set from Downton Abbey… After much research and visits to places such as Alnwick Castle and Chatsworth House, Davenports Tea Room is decorated in a Victorian style with tables holding tall candelabras with large flower arrangements, antique silver and glassware, holly & greenery adorn the tables. Tasteful, period Christmas music, staff dressed in Victorian costume, sights and smells of freshly baked scones and mulled wine tantalise the senses on arrival. This Victorian Christmas experience is sure to get you feeling festive!
Christmas capers at Gulliver’s
Escape to Gulliver’s World this Christmas for a much-needed festive family adventure. It's more important than ever that families have the chance to make some magical memories. The packages may be a little different this year however you can still enjoy a classic collection of fabulous festive treats. Hop aboard the North Pole Express for a fun and festive train journey! There will be special stops along the way and every child will have the chance to give Santa their Christmas wish list. Children will get to choose their own gift from the live, interactive Christmas shop! And as always there’s festive rides and attractions for all the family.
A spot of lunch with Santa at Nunsmere Hall
You can have an extra special Sunday lunch at Nunsmere Hall with the man of the hour. At Nunsmere Hall you can expect a magical relaxed family Sunday Lunch with a visit from Santa before sitting down to a festive 3 course meal. There’s sure to be lots of fun and frivolity as the warmup begins for the big day.
Gifts and gourmet food at The Hollies
Make sure to stop in at the Hollies Farm Shop, where you’re sure to find a vast range of Cheshire produce on one of their gorgeous locations in either Little Budworth or Lower Stretton. This year, why not browse the Gift Barn? The Barn team source fabulous and unique products, through extensive research and an innate passion for awesome displays and fantastic things! There’s an extensive award-winning card range, beauty products, children’s toys, beautiful homeware ranges and much more.
Christmas at Cotebrook
At Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre there is lots to see and do to make your visit interesting and enjoyable. You can learn all about the Shire horse, from its history carrying knights in armour to the important studwork today, ensuring the future of this magnificent breed. And this year Santa has been in touch to ask if he can come to Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre for the children to visit him – and they said yes! On the weekend of 12 December, make sure to book a slot to see the man himself.
Shop independent at Blakemere Village
Shop local and independent at Blakemre Village this festive season. You can find that perfect gift from a wide variety of local independents. There’s everything from crafting to antiques. You’re sure to find something unique. Or why not come face to face with birds of prey at Cheshire Falconry, or take a wild ride with Cheshire Segway? And this festive season, Blakemere has even more fun on offer with the Yuleville Christmas Trail, late night shpping and the all new Blakemere Social outdoor food hall! You can read all about it here.
Get outdoors at Delamere Forest
If you’re all shopped out, get active and outdoors just a stone’s throw away in Delamere Forest. There’s a lot to keep you going including high rise thrills from GoApe. This Christmas GoApe’s Sundown Sessions offer majestic views from the forest canopy as night falls. Then, when you reach the top of the zipline, prepare to soar through the treetops in the dark. Or if you’re looking for something a little less extreme, Delamere Forest offers some of the finest festive walking trails around.
A picturesque trip to Arley Hall & Gardens
Why not take a trip to Arley Hall. You may have seen it in some of your favourite TV and films. This Christmas you can wander the picturesque gardens where you’ll find some seasonal fun fact cards dotted around. Each card contains information and might even be something you never knew before. For example “In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world’s biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall (34.4m). That’s taller than 7 double decker busses!” Just think how knowledgeable you will be by the end of your visit!
Christmas (and Ice Cream!) from your car at The Ice Cream Farm
Christmas certainly isn’t cancelled at The Ice Cream Farm. They’re bringing you festive cheer and mouth-watering ice cream from the comfort of your car with a Drive-Thru Christmas! Drive into the magical Christmas trail and search for Santa's hidden elves, completing a festive activity pack along the way. Once you've spotted all of Santa's elves, the man himself will be waiting, gifts in hand, to say hello in his outside grotto!
A cracking Christmas in Knutsford
Make sure to visit the picturesque town of Knutsford on your Cheshire staycation. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, from chic boutiques to fantastic dining. And this year the Christmas Cracker Trail is sure to get you and the family feeling festive. Find 9 Christmas Cracker stickers in shop windows and note down the locations and the unique letter on each sticker, and then post your completed entry form at designated drop-off points to enter the prize draw! The trail will run all week from 14 - 20 December and the stickers will be in place all week for you to enjoy the trail at your leisure at a time that suits you. You can also enjoy spectacular window displays from Knutsford’s lovely town centre businesses, plus their beautiful town Christmas lights and shop Christmas trees for a real festive experience!
Feel the festivities at Tatton Park
Just down the road you’ll find Tatton Park, with its stunning parkland and opulent mansion. This year is going to be extra special at Tatton with a range of exciting festive activities on offer. On the new Christmas trail join Holly the Hare and her woodland friends at their festive feast in Tatton’s magical mid-winter gardens – picking up your party pack complete with your animal mask and sweet treat before you head off on a special woodland adventure trail. Visit the Stables Restaurant for festive food and drink and browse a range of pop up Christmas stalls in the stableyard - a mini market of local traders selling homeware, Christmas gifts and more. Or head to the cosy Gardener's Cottage this Christmas to experience the delights of a Festive Afternoon Tea – and great news for little ones - they can feel special too with their own limited edition mini festive tea with choice of sandwiches, crisps, hot chocolate or juice and a Christmas tree cookie!
Shop local in Cheshire this Christmas
It’s more important than ever to shop local this year and Cheshire has so many options when it comes to finding the right gift from a selection of great high streets. Explore the charms of Cheshire's many local high streets from Crewe, Nantwich, Knutsford and Congleton in the east through to Warrington and the West Cheshire towns of Frodsham, Northwich and Neston. Cheshire really is enough to satisfy the appetites of even the hardiest of shopaholics.
Unwind in style at Mottram Hall
You deserve the chance to unwind, and the all-new Champney’s spa at Mottram Hall is the perfect place to indulge in some festive relaxation. A spa day at Mottram Hall is the ultimate way to unwind in Cheshire. Whether you plan to visit on your own or with a friend, there's no better place to rest and recharge with the brand new luxurious and stylish spa facilities and reviving health and beauty treatments. Why not indulge in a Laurent Perrier Spa Day where you’ll be treated to all of the luxuries of a classic spa day, from top-of-the-range spa facilities to expert-led fitness classes and a nutritious lunch in the spa cafe. Plus, enjoy a complimentary 50 minute Champneys treatment of your choice per person and a bottle of Laurent Perrier.
A tiny festive treacle in Macclesfield
Take a trip to Macclesfield for the famous Treacle Market. Things are operating a little differently, with the Festive Treacle market being stretched across four days but you can still find a superb range of craft, vintage and food stalls on your visit to the Market Place!
A view from the top at Beeston Castle
A festive trip to Cheshire wouldn’t be complete without some fantastic walking around Beeston Castle. Set 350 feet above the Cheshire Plain on the sheer rocky crags Beeston Castle is a magical site with something for everyone. With stunning views to take your breath away, long walks through rich woodland for nature lovers and nooks and crannies for kids to hide in you’re sure to have a magnificent day out! And from 26 December, you can Join a festively fun adventure quest which will allow you and your family to explore and discover fun facts and untold stories in the places where history happened! Hunt for clues and QR codes which reveal quirky tales or treat yourself to a hot chocolate or mulled wine in beautiful surroundings. It’s a great way for the whole family to get out and about during Christmas week.
Fine and festive food in Cheshire
Of course, you’ll need to fill your boots with some of the finest cuisine around on your Cheshire staycation. There’s so much to choose from, you really will be spoilt for choice. From traditional pub fayre in some truly breath-taking scenery to chic town centre bistros, you’re sure to have an unforgettable meal in Cheshire.
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