The Northern Motorcaravan Show is ideally situated to discover what Cheshire has to offer, including beautiful countryside, attractive towns and villages, a variety of landmarks and historical sites and shopping galore!

Cheshire Showground is located just a short drive from the lively market town of Knutsford with its eclectic array of restaurants, bars, shops and boutiques. The town was also the inspiration and setting for Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford and is also where the author lived for many years and is buried.

LOCAL HISTORY AND ATTRACTIONS

• Tatton Park and gardens – attracting over 750,000 visitors each year, Tatton Park is regarded one of Britain’s most complete historic estates with evidence dating back to the Stone Age and Bronze Age. The estate boasts 1,000 acres of parkland, a stunning 19th century mansion, 50 acres of award-winning gardens, a working rare breed farm and Tudor old hall. You’ll also find shopping and dining on the estate.

• Knutsford Heritage Centre – housed in a reconstructed 17th century timber framed building and often referred to as The Old Smithy. Evidence of its previous existence as a blacksmiths is clearly visible with a forge, anvil and wonderfully preserved set of bellows all on display.

• Arley Hall and gardens – over 550 years old and one of the most interesting and attractive stately homes in the north west. The estate includes the hall, famous gardens and beautifully landscaped park.

• Tabley House – a fine Palladian house built in 1761 for the Leicester family, who lived there for 700 years. The house’s art collection includes pieces by Lely, Turner, Lawrence and other English masters, plus furniture by Gillow, Bullock and Chippendale. The house has also been a TV location for various productions, including the Forsyth Saga.

• Peover hall and Gardens – a grade 2* listed Elizabethan family house dating back to 1585, situated within 500 acres of landscaped 18th century parkland with formal designed gardens.

• Fryer’s Rose Nursery and Garden Centre – renowned for its extensive indoor and outdoor plant ranges and outdoor living ranges. The Centre also boasts an infamous rose nursery and during July and August Fryer’s also runs a popular programme of Guided Rose Walks with one of its rose experts.
  
  

CHESTER

• Chester Cathedral – originally a Saxon Minster, then rebuilt as a Benedictine Abbey, the Cathedral exists as a national treasure in the heart of the city. Its stunning architecture includes Norman arches, gothic columns, 14th century woodcarvings and spectacular stained glass, while the Cloisters and Church form one of the most complete medieval monastic complexes in the country.

• Roman Amphitheatre – the largest uncovered amphitheatre in the UK and the subject of a major archaeological project.

• Eastgate Clock – created to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, the Clock is one of Chester's most famous landmarks. Accessed via the City Walls, the Eastgate Clock offers a superb vantage point across the City and towards the Welsh Hills.

• Grosvenor Park – the main ornamental park in Chester and extremely popular to residents and visitors. It is typically Victorian in its layout with formal avenues lined with trees, statues and large lawns surrounded with ornamental shrub beds and display bedding.

• Grosvenor Museum – discover the fascinating history of the city thanks to various impressive collections documenting the evolution of Chester since Roman times. Artefacts include Roman tombstones, a nationally important silver collection and other displays presenting a picture of Roman Chester.

• Chester Zoo – the UK's number one zoo with over 8000 animals and 400 different species, including some of the most endangered in the world, plus 110 acres of award-winning gardens.
  
  

SHOPPING

• Chester – enjoy a unique shopping experience at the Rows, a shopping gallery dating back seven centuries or the small boutiques, gift shops and antique centres which can be found at Rufus Court. Alternatively, for a more modern shopping experience visit the Grosvenor Shopping centre with its range of well-known retailers

• Manchester’s Trafford Centre – the UK’s most successful indoor shopping centre, boasting over 200 stores, 60 restaurants and cafés and a cinema

• Market towns of Knutsford, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge – located to the east of the Showground and a shopper’s paradise for anyone in search of high-end fashion shops and boutiques

• Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet – brimming with designer labels and high street brands at discount prices.
  
  

NORTHWICH

Northwich is an attractive market town in the heart of Cheshire and less than five miles from the Showground. Famous for its salt mining dating back to Roman times, today the town is home to the country’s only salt museum as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs.

We will be running a subsidised shuttle bus service to Northwich on the Saturday of the Show. For more information visit the Campers Info page.

WALKS AND CYCLE ROUTES

Sandstone Trail

One of the most popular walks in the UK, the trail is split into three sections – the closest to the Showground being the Northern Section. This 11 ¼-mile walk begins at Frodsham town centre with a steep climb to the war memorial. Walkers will see impressive views over the Mersey estuary, the Liverpool skyline, ancient forests, heaths and crags.

Delamere Forest Walk

Ideal for a relaxing walk. There are six marked paths through the forest with lots of interesting features including the flooded forest of Blakemere, which attracts many birds to watch. Delamere Forest Park provides many easy walking routes and trails ideal for families with children or the less able.

Roman Middlewich Walk

This walk explores the towns of Roman past and the salt-making heritage of the area. The route begins at Middlewich Library and is easily identifiable by the large red information panels along the route. For more information visit www.visitchester.com

Macclesfield Forest Walk

A 1 ½-mile circular route through Macclesfield Forest, the last remnant of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield. The route begins at Trentabank Visitor Centre near Langley and takes visitors through the tranquil forest, home to a herd of red deer, to the shores of the Trentabank Reservoir. The reservoir is home to a number of wildfowl species and the largest heronry in the Peak District.

Cycling the Wizard’s Trail

This 13-mile cycle route is designed to take visitors through the rolling parkland around Alderley Edge and Henbury. The route begins at Alderley Edge and takes riders through the heart of Cheshire’s Wizard Country. Landmarks along the route include old copper and lead mines, a 15th century watermill and ‘the Wizard’s Well’.

Fruits of the Forest Cycle Routes

A 15-mile circular route through Delamere Forest. The route begins at Linmere Picnic Area and takes riders through mixed woodlands. Riders will be taken on a route through majestic chestnut avenues, villages and up a steep hill for panoramic views across the countryside and the distant hills of Wales and Shropshire.

More information on the walking and cycling routes in the area can be found at www.visitchester.com

Visit Cheshire and Chester
Tel: 01244 405600
Website: www.visitchester.com

Chester 360
www.chester360.co.uk

Macclesfield and Knutsford TIC
Town Hall, Macclesfield,SK10 1DX
Tel: 01625 504114

Northwich TIC
The Arcade, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5AS
Tel: 01606 353534

Travelline (Public Transport)
Tel: 08712 002233
Web: www.traveline.org.uk


Please contact the attractions directly for further information. The Organisers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information supplied.