Cheshire
Plan your perfect staycation with a visit to Cheshire, a delightful, easily accessible English county that will capture your heart with its countryside and culture.
What to do
We visited the beautiful Tatton Park country estate, which dates back to the 15th century. At its heart, the elegant, neoclassical mansion, which once belonged to the aristocratic Egerton family, is a truly awe-inspiring sight. It has beautiful gardens and extensive parklands, so a wander around the grounds – looking out for the Old
Hall – makes for a leisurely activity at any time of year.
To soak up a little more history, don’t miss Little Moreton Hall, a classic,
Cheshire ‘black-and-white’ Tudor house. Engineers claimed it ‘defied logic’ when investigations in 1990 discovered how they’d managed to build it on such marshy land, yet, miraculously, it’s still standing some 500 years after it was first constructed. Today, you can take guided tours around this lovely National Trust property, complete with its traditional, Tudor knot garden.
The Lovell Telescope at famous Jodrell Bank is also one of Cheshire’s most popular tourist attractions – and for good reason. The radio telescope has been diligently observing the stratosphere since it was erected in 1957, during the height of the Cold War. It’s an internationally recognised landmark in astronomy, and one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world. The Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, to which the telescope belongs, is a family-friendly complex with lots of educational sites to explore, including both Star and Space pavilions.
What to eat
Cheshire’s flourishing restaurant scene means visitors are spoilt for choice. The Fishpool Inn in Delamere has maintained its 18th-century charm and specialises in locally sourced fish. The Inn has rooms, and welcomes children and dogs. Jenny’s Tea Shop, in the market town of Sandbach, serves a lovely cream tea, tempting customers in with its seasonal window displays.
Where to stay
We stayed in the 17th-century, Grade II-listed Vicarage Hotel, in Holmes Chapel. The country pub and inn has 26 en-suite, refurbished, dog-friendly rooms. Ours had a freestanding bath with luxury toiletries. The restaurant offers the best of British comfort food.
Travel details
The county is best explored by car. Rooms at The Vicarage start from £120 a night, and guests receive a discount on tickets to the nearby attractions of Tatton Park and Chester Zoo.