How to enjoy a memorable weekend break in Cheshire #Blog

If you are planning to spend a weekend in Cheshire, you can look forward to a whole host of fun and relaxing things to see and do. From historic parks and delicious food to beautiful wildlife and, of course, Mottram Hall itself, you will be truly spoilt for choice. To help you plan your upcoming trip to this most wonderful of English counties, we’ve put together this very helpful guide on how to enjoy a memorable weekend break in Cheshire. Read on to discover what you could be getting up to during your visit!

Dine on delicious cuisine

While you’re enjoying the delights of Cheshire, you will want to chow down on some delicious cuisine. Thankfully, there are myriad wonderful dining options in the county, including sitting down for a fantastic meal at our very own Mottram Hall during your stay. We have a number of great options, including the recently awarded AA Rosette Carrington Grill.

In terms of Cheshire as a whole, there is plenty to choose from when you are out and about exploring, and we spoke to Taste Cheshire – a resource and guide for quality Cheshire food and drink – for some top tips and dining advice for visitors:

“Cheshire is the County of Food and Drink and when you visit, you want to experience a Taste of Cheshire. We feature the places you wouldn’t normally find, the hidden gems, so go and experience great pubs, like the Pheasant at Buwardsley with its amazing views of the Cheshire plains, and The Ring of Bells in Christleton to see what a beautiful village pub really is. A trip to Chester is a must with the fabulous ’village in a city’ that is Hoole and visit both The Suburbs and The Faulkner. In the city centre, the grandeur of Opera Grill and the authenticity of The Chefs Table are a must.

“All of the places to eat featured on Taste Cheshire are all independents that you might not find on your visit. Take the time to plot a route around the county, visit the farm shops, the street markets and enjoy food the way our maker intended. That’s what you get when you Taste Cheshire.”

Enjoy a Mottram Hall spa day

During your upcoming break, you will surely be looking to relax and unwind from the common stresses of everyday life, and there is no better way to do so than with a relaxing spa weekend in Cheshire at Mottram Hall. So many of us go away on holiday or for a short break, only to return feeling just as stressed (if not more so) than when we left. But if you make sure to indulge in some calming spa treatments while you’re away, you can make your Cheshire stay one to remember. No matter what it is that is ailing you or if you simply want to be pampered, a spa weekend is certainly the right ticket.

Discover the history of Quarry Bank Mill

Considered to be one of the UK’s greatest industrial heritage sites, Quarry Bank Mill is an incredibly well-preserved textile mill from the Industrial Revolution and now exists as a fascinating museum. When we spoke to Claire from the family blog Cheshire Mum, she mentioned Quarry Bank Mill as being a top recommendation for visitors to the area: “One of my all-time favourite places to visit is Quarry Bank Mill in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Quarry Bank is an 18th-century working mill and one of the best-preserved mill sites in the world. Discover the mill and enjoy the beautiful surrounding estate and gardens owned by the National Trust is always a wonder at any time of year.”

Enjoy a stroll through the many footpaths and parks

Cheshire is truly a delightful county, it’s many towns and villages providing a lovely backdrop for your special weekend away. As such, getting out and exploring as much of it as possible – especially if it’s a nice day – should certainly be on your to-do list. Sarah Irving of the travel blog The Urban Wanderer thinks fondly of Cheshire and recommends this approach highly:

“My top piece of advice for enjoying a memorable weekend in Cheshire is to get out for a walk to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the area. There are so many public footpaths, parks and villages to explore that there is something for everyone. Oh, and there are some lovely independent cafes for when you need to take the weight off your feet.”

Enjoying the great outdoors of Cheshire is also highly recommended for a memorable weekend by Claire of Cheshire Mum: “There’s so much choice for things to do, see, visit and enjoy. My best advice is to plan your weekend. If you’re staying in Cheshire as a gateway to the cities of Manchester or Liverpool, make sure you include time to get outdoors and discover the natural beauty throughout Cheshire. There are some stunning walks to get out in the fresh air: Alderley Edge, Tatton Park and Bickerton Hill to name just a few.”

Visit Tatton Park

Cheshire is home to a plethora of fascinating sites and attractions and one that must surely be added to your weekend plans is the lovely Tatton Park. Home to some incredible views, this historic parkland allows visitors to wend their way through its beautiful gardens, visit an actual working farm, and, of course, the neoclassical mansion itself. This impressive stately home is a true Cheshire jewel built in the 17^th century and today contains more than 10,000 items in its exhibitions. Tatton Park is also home to a 1,000-acre deer park, speciality shops, and the fascinating Tudor Hold Hall. There’s no question, there is plenty to enjoy upon a visit to this premium Cheshire attraction.

Sarah from the travel blog The Urban Wanderer is a big fan of Tatton Park and spoke to us about what she believes makes the attraction a must visit: “Tatton Park has something for everyone, from foodies to history buffs; walkers to kids. Even canine friends are very welcome there, too. If you’re there in the warmer months, you can enjoy a trip back in time by visiting the mansion or wandering the extensive National Trust gardens. I often like to visit to just walk around the grounds and enjoy the views of the lake. There is a herd of deer which make for the perfect photo opportunity too. It is the feeling of wide-open space that makes it a really great place to unwind and enjoy the breeze on your face.”

Explore Delamere Forest

Image Credit: Go Ape

If you are looking to connect with nature on your trip and enjoy the best of the Cheshire countryside, there is no better way to do so than exploring Delamere Forest. The largest woodland area in the county, Delamere Forest is the perfect place to get a bit of light exercise and spend time with loved ones. The area is both a haven for wildlife and home to some terrific activities. For example, you can rent bikes from the folks at TRACS – the Delamere bike shop & hire – or you can partake in a little bit of thrill-seeking at Go Ape’s High Ropes and obstacles set high above the forest floor.

Describing the scene from the treetops, Go Ape set the scene: “More than just thrill-upon-thrill, you’ll love the monumental views. Delamere Forest literally means ‘forest of the lakes.’ It’s a beautiful body of water, Blakemere Moss, was formed due to a glacier melt during the Ice Age.”

No matter what you decide, Delamere is bound to provide some fond memories of your Cheshire break.

Spend time in Chester

The historic city of Chester is a location that must certainly be added to your Cheshire to-do list. Founded as a Roman fortress in the first century A.D., Chester is known for its historical importance and Tudor-style half-timber buildings that are instantly recognisable. Apart from admiring its distinctive architecture, there is so much to see and do, from visiting beautiful Chester Cathedral and heading to the Grosvenor Museum, to admiring the important Roman Amphitheatre which is also home to military re-enactments in the summer. Moreover, there is a host of top shops and dining establishments to enjoy that make spending time in Chester a special day out indeed.

Don’t forget to visit one of Chester’s great restaurants while you’re in town. After you’ve tired your legs out walking around, heading to somewhere like Joseph Benjamin would be ideal. The team at this terrific restaurant told us what diners can expect:

“Joe oversees all kitchen aspects of Joseph Benjamin, working alongside Head Chef Jose Garzon, whilst Ben utilises his vast food and drinks knowledge alongside the team front-of-house. The result is a successful neighbourhood bistro with a diverse menu offering – be it hearty lunch-time specials to traditional a la carte. From bacon rolls with homemade tomato ketchup to beer braised ox cheek with parsley risotto and pickled walnuts, there’s something for every appetite and timeframe.”

What to do during a Cheshire weekend

Image Credit: Mike Peel

We think you will agree, there’s an awful lot to be excited by in the marvellous county and by adhering to the suggestions above we are confident that a memorable weekend break in Cheshire will be had. This guide has been just an introduction, however, there is so much more to discover. If you wanted to note down our suggestions for things to do in Cheshire, here they are again in condensed form:

– Dine on delicious cuisine.

– Enjoy Mottram Hall spa day

– Discover the history of Quarry Bank Mill

– Enjoy a stroll through the many footpaths and parks

– Visit Tatton Park

– Explore Delamere Forest

– Spend time in Chester