Cheshire


<p>We&#8217;re all too aware of Cheshire&#8217;s bling bling reputation. Of Real Housewives slurping Champagne and WAGs tottering around their flashy mansions. But quite frankly, if you live here, you know there&#8217;s so much more to our green serene county. A land of rolling hills, foodie thrills and never-knew-existed adventures. And with it being Cheshire Day on 30 March, we thought it high time we released our ultimate Cheshire bucket list &#8211; an indispensable guide to some of the best things to do in Cheshire right now. Tick them off, add to your must-do list, and JFDI.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catch-sunrise-from-shuttlingsloe">Catch sunrise from Shuttlingsloe</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_6343-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2754" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_6343-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_6343-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_6343-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_6343-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_6343-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Over near the wild sprawl of Macclesfield Forest, Shuttlingsloe juts out of the earth like a clenched fist, and it&#8217;s this distinctive shape that has earned the hill its name, the Matterhorn of Cheshire. Start out in the thick forest with its tangle of conifers, rising gradually along the well-worn route through upland meadows to the tip of Shuttlingsloe. As the sun peeks over the horizon, the Peak District, the sweeping Cheshire Plain, and even the haze of Manchester can be spotted on a clear day. You&#8217;ll have to set your alarm unspeakably early for this one but I promise it&#8217;ll worth it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-join-the-circus">Join the circus</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-5000480-1024x682.jpg" alt="Aerial hoop performer" class="wp-image-2758" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-5000480-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-5000480-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-5000480-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-5000480.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Well, why bloomin&#8217; not? <a href="https://barntoncircus.co.uk/">Barnton Circus</a> is a seriously talented collective of female performers who can be booked for private events across the country. But they also host workshops in Barnton for anyone with hidden circus aspirations, from spinning in aerial hoops to mastering the art of static trapeze and a host of ground-based circus acts. Take a look around their <a href="https://barntoncircus.co.uk/">website</a> and fling them an email to find out about all their latest workshops. Because really, don&#8217;t we all want to fly?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walk-the-sandstone-trail"><a href="https://sandstonetrail.co.uk">Walk the Sandstone Trail</a></h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-josh-willink-11499-701016-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2710" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-josh-willink-11499-701016-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-josh-willink-11499-701016-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-josh-willink-11499-701016-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-josh-willink-11499-701016.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Cheshire’s mammoth long-distance trail, running for more than 32 miles from Frodsham to Whitchurch is without doubt a truly invigorating walk, and might just make you fall in love with the county that little bit more. Shining a light on the ridge of sandstone that juts out of the Cheshire Plain, <a href="https://sandstonetrail.co.uk">the Sandstone Trail</a> weaves through farmland and forest and along towpaths, with plenty of spring blooms popping up along the way. Fancy tackling the entire thing? You&#8217;ll be looking at around three days, but like any long-distance trail, the beauty of it is you can complete short sections of it. Although your digs along the way should you choose to take on the entire 32 miles include <a href="https://thepheasantinn.co.uk">The Pheasant Inn</a>, <a href="https://www.littleidyllshepherdshuts.com">Little Idyll Shepherd&#8217;s Hut</a>, <a href="https://www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk">Peckferton Castle</a> and <a href="https://www.cardenpark.co.uk">Carden Park</a> &#8211; some of Cheshire&#8217;s most idyllic boltholes. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat-at-a-food-market">Eat at a food market</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/RJJ_5801-custom-1024x684.jpg" alt="Picturedrome" class="wp-image-653" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/RJJ_5801-custom-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/RJJ_5801-custom-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/RJJ_5801-custom-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/RJJ_5801-custom.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Picturedrome</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Proper good food is always the answer, right? Especially when you meet up with a load of friends in one of our discerning covered food markets, where the drinks are flowing and hungry diners hunker around communal tables. At&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/altymarket">Altrincham Market</a>, warm up with a gravy-smothered pie from&nbsp;<a href="https://greatnorthpie.co/">The Great North Pie Co</a>, or zesty fish tacos from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatpicos">Pico’s Tacos</a>&nbsp;washed down with frozen margaritas. Find yourself at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/picturedromemacc/">Picturedrome</a>&nbsp;in Macclesfield? It has to be a hot billowing pizza from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.honestcrustsourdoughpizza.com/">Honest Crust</a>, followed by one of&nbsp;<a href="https://bakedbybean.com/">Baked by Bean’s</a>&nbsp;saccharine brownies. And at New Chester Market, diners chow down on everything from Mexican street food to French-inspired pastries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bungee-jump-at-tatton-park">Bungee jump at Tatton Park</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="769" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-asemirski-13972232-1024x769.jpg" alt="Bungee jump" class="wp-image-2764" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-asemirski-13972232-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-asemirski-13972232-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-asemirski-13972232-768x577.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-asemirski-13972232.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>For any thrill-seekers out there, you don&#8217;t have to travel across the world to take on a heady bungee jump. Just pop on over to <a href="https://ukbungee.co.uk/locations/manchester-tatton-park">Tatton Park</a>, whose vast green sprawls host electrifying jumps on select dates throughout the year. Sign up and you&#8217;ll be transported up to a dizzying height of 300ft (90 metres) before taking a leap of faith into a whole lot of nothingness. Upcoming dates include, 19 April, 20 April, 19 July, 20 July, 4 Oct and 5 Oct. <a href="https://ukbungee.co.uk/locations/manchester-tatton-park">From £120</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-diving">Go diving</h2>



<p>Cheshire is a lot of things, but one thing it definitely isn&#8217;t is a coastal gem. But if it&#8217;s the great big blue you crave, surprisingly you can learn to dive right here in our landlocked county. First off in a pool with <a href="https://www.ecsac.org.uk/">East Cheshire Sub-Aqua Club</a>, getting to grips with breathing underwater, and later aboard one of the team&#8217;s oceanic trips in UK waters, from the Orkney’s to the Isles of Scilly. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hide-away-in-an-indie-cinema">Hide away in an indie cinema</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="964" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/369721774_782296870566600_2952847058949101822_n.jpg" alt="The Rex Cinema Wilmslow" class="wp-image-176" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/369721774_782296870566600_2952847058949101822_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/369721774_782296870566600_2952847058949101822_n-300x289.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/369721774_782296870566600_2952847058949101822_n-768x740.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure></div>


<p>Catch indie films and blockbusters on the luxe sofas of&nbsp;<a href="https://rexcinemawilmslow.com/">The Rex</a>&nbsp;in Wilmslow, a retro cinema which came back to life after a communal Facebook campaign. There’s the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.curzon.com/venues/knutsford/">Curzon</a>&nbsp;in Knutsford with its thick velvet curtains and&nbsp;<a href="https://cinemac.org.uk/">Cinemac</a>&nbsp;in Macclesfield, where punters sit with giant mounds of popcorn and stare at current film releases and live digital screenings of major theatre productions. And Chester’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.storyhouse.com/">Storyhouse</a>&nbsp;is a cultural crowd-pleaser with its cinema, theatre, library and rotating calendar of literary events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explore-chester-cathedral">Explore Chester Cathedral</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/02/IMG_7877-1024x1001.jpg" alt="Chester Cathedral. Gareth Rainsforth" class="wp-image-2066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/02/IMG_7877-1024x1001.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/02/IMG_7877-300x293.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/02/IMG_7877-768x751.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/02/IMG_7877.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gareth Rainsforth</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Gazing at the cavernous atrium of the city’s cathedral is worth your while, but for an added bonus, book a behind-the-scenes tour, slipping away from the mulling crowds and towards its hidden curiosities. Gather in the bell-ringing chamber and stare at the complex stained glass windows, wandering along the darkly magical corners of the galleries.&nbsp; At the climax is a 200-step staircase towards the lookout tower, where you can scan the city from on high and, on a clear day, catch sight of the distant Welsh hills. &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bed-down-in-a-cabin">Bed down in a cabin</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/Tarporley-Shacks-Tawny13-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Tawny Cabin" class="wp-image-1108" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/Tarporley-Shacks-Tawny13-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/Tarporley-Shacks-Tawny13-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/Tarporley-Shacks-Tawny13-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/Tarporley-Shacks-Tawny13-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/Tarporley-Shacks-Tawny13-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tawny Cabin</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>There&#8217;s something endlessly romantic about escaping into the wilderness and bedding down in a secluded cabin. And you don&#8217;t even need to go far as there&#8217;s a clutch of enticingly serene cabins right here in Cheshire when you want to hide away from the world. All of which feel thrillingly remote, though with creaky beamed pubs just around the corner should you want to pitch up for a heartwarming dinner in between rosy cheeked walks and hazy evenings around a fire pit. For a genuinely off-grid feel, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.kiphideaways.com/hideaways/tarporley-shacks/">Tawny Cabin</a> in the wild fringes of Tarporley &#8211; all Danish cool interiors that&#8217;s a short hop to <a href="https://thebootinnwillington.com">The Boot Inn</a>. Or how about a treehouse with your very own hot tub at <a href="https://www.lowerhall.com/holiday">Lower Hall Glamping</a> in Whitchurch (with a pool when the sun shines). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-party-at-a-music-festival">Party at a music festival</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/01/pexels-wendywei-2513612-1-683x1024.jpg" alt="Music festival
" class="wp-image-1928" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/01/pexels-wendywei-2513612-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/01/pexels-wendywei-2513612-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/01/pexels-wendywei-2513612-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/01/pexels-wendywei-2513612-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/01/pexels-wendywei-2513612-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<p>Cheshire does put on a mighty fine calendar of music festivals as summer hits. And really, when it comes down to it, there’s nothing more quintessentially English than wrestling with tent poles, shrugging off the rain and drinking and dancing under the stars. From Forest Live to The Brit Fest and Creamfields, head <a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/the-best-music-festivals-in-cheshire/">here for our pick of the best music festivals in Cheshire</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-swim">Wild swim</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/pexels-busranur-aydin-3800407-27663879-1024x560.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1100" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/pexels-busranur-aydin-3800407-27663879-1024x560.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/pexels-busranur-aydin-3800407-27663879-300x164.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/pexels-busranur-aydin-3800407-27663879-768x420.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/pexels-busranur-aydin-3800407-27663879-1536x841.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/11/pexels-busranur-aydin-3800407-27663879-2048x1121.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Break out the dry robe and test your nerve with a chilly dip in one of our lakes and rivers. For a sedate paddle, try dipping your toes in the flowing waters of the Peover Eye. Or for a proper dunking invigorating swim, head to <a href="https://thefarmclub.co.uk/">The Farm Club</a> which hosts open water swimming on Pickmere Lake. Fancy having a go at paddle-boarding? Book in at Delamere&#8217;s <a href="https://www.wildshoredelamere.co.uk/swim">Wild Shore</a> for SUP sessions on its calm waters. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explore-the-alderley-edge-mines">Explore the Alderley Edge Mines</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikael-root-8843-1251052-1024x682.jpg" alt="Cave" class="wp-image-2723" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikael-root-8843-1251052-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikael-root-8843-1251052-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikael-root-8843-1251052-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikael-root-8843-1251052.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>How about a subterranean tour of the mine shafts below Alderley Edge? Heading below ground may give you the shivers but the Derbyshire Caving Club is well versed in taking hard-hat-wearing novices deep into the abandoned copper mine along a circular trail – the underground world that was a huge inspiration for Alan Garner’s novel, <em>The Weirdstone of Brisingamen</em>.<br>And since you’re meeting in the National Trust car park, you may as well grab a coffee and cinnamon bun from the crumbly <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thewizardtearoom/">Wizard Tearoom</a> on your return.</p>


Your ultimate Cheshire bucket list

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