| Family Friendly |
Alton Towers
Alton
Staffs
ST10 4 DB
Tel no.08705 20 40 60
Set within 500 acres of beautiful gardens and countryside this is a wonderful
day out for thrillseekers. The theme park is zoned to suit different age
groups. The gardens are beautiful to sit in for the less adventurous! Now there
is a hotel to stay in on site. Open all year round. for more info. check their
website www.altontowers.com it is about 60 minutes by car from Wilmslow. Take
the Leek road from Macclesfield and it it signed from the Leek Ashbourne road. |
|
Anderton Boat lift
Northwich
Cheshire
CW9 6FW
Tel.no. 01606 786777
The world's first and UK's only working boat lift. Received Quality Assured
Visitor Attraction award. |
|
Blackbrook Bird Centre
Winkill near Leek
Staffs.
Tel.no. 01538 308293
It has birds, reptiles, animals and fish including some of the world's most
rare and endangered species. Open daily from 10.30 - 5.50pm Closed Dec.25,26,
31 jan 1. |
|
Blue Planet Aquarium
Ellesmere Port
www.blueplanetaquarium.com
It is the largest aquarium adventure in the UK with
more sharks than anywhere else in the country. The highlight is an underwater
safari through a tunnel on a moving walkway. Open daily 10.00am. Closes at
6.00pm during school holidays and in term time at 5.00pm Mon - Fri, 6.00pm
Sat/Sun
Take the M56 and head for Ellesmere Port. Leave at junction 15 on to the M53.
Follow signs for Cheshire Oaks and Blue Planet Aquarium. |
|
Bruntwood Park
Schools Hill (main entrance)
Cheadle
off the roundabout by John Lewis and Sainsbury's.
It has a great playground for children and a cafe.
They also have a newly opened animals section which includes rabbits, chickens,
turkeys and pigs. It is only about 15 minutes drive from Wilmslow.
|
|
Canal Boat Hire
Freedom Boats Ltd.
Macclesfield canal Centre
Brook St.
Macclesfield
SK11 7AW
Tel.no. 01625 420042
You can hire their 26 feet dayboat after some basic
tuition, if necessary! It takes 12 persons and is fully equipped with cutlery
plates cups etc.
You can explore the peaceful waterways at 4 mph. The children enjoy 'helping'
at the locks. Baots can also be hired further along the canal at Bunbury.
|
|
Castleton Caverns
The Castleton Caverns comprise The Blue John Cavern, Treak Cavern, Speedwell
Cavern and the great Peak Cavern.
They are all located on the edge of the pretty town of Castleton in the Peak
District.
The setting is spectacular and very beautiful. A great place for walking too!!
Two of them offer boat trips and you can see wonderful stalagmites and
stalagtites. For further details of each Cavern check out the website
www.cressbrook.co.uk/hopev/caves
|
|
|
Chatsworth Hall farm
Chatsworth
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1PP
Tel.no. 01246 565300
One of Britain's most famous and best loved Stately
Homes. It has a farm with lots of animals ranging from guinea pigs to Shire
horses for the children to see. There are 3 periods of 20 minutes where the
children can handle some baby animals during the day, 11.30, 2.00 and 4.10pm
There is a very big play area which is very popular. This attraction is about
90 minutes drive from Wilmslow.
|
|
Chester Zoo
This is a wonderful zoo where the animals and surroundings are very well care
for. It is a great day out.
It is open all year round closed Dec. 25, 26 . The cost in Peak Season is:
adults £14.50, children (3-15) £10.50 Concessions £13 off Peak: Adults £10.50,
Children £7.50 and Concessions £9.50 as of Aug 2005. More info on
www.chesterzoo.org
|
|
|
The Chestnut Centre Conservation park
Wildlife Discovery Park
Castleton Road,
Chapel-en-le-Frith
High Peak
Derbyshire
SK23 0QR
Tel no. 01298 814099
This delightful place houses one of Europe's largest
groups of multi-specied otters, owls and othe indigenous wildlife. You can
wander along the tree and stream-lined walks and experience the close and
exciting proximity of this world of otters, owls, deer, foxes and wildcats and
other native species in near natural surroundings.
There is a tearoom also where you can get snacks and drinks. Open all year
round 10.30 - 5.30pm Weekends only in January. On road between Chapel and
Castleton via Winner's pass. More info on
www.ottersandowls.co.uk
|
|
Danebridge Trout Farm
Wincle
Macclesfield
SK11 0QE
Tel no. 01260 227293
A lovely place to take the children by the river
Dane. The children can both feed the fish and catch them. Guaranteed to catch 3
fish for £5, and take them home to eat. There is great excitment at eating what
they have caught! You can then either have a picnis by the river or visit the
Ship Inn, which has a children's room ,for lunch. |
|
Formby
Victoria Road,
Freshfields,Formby
Liverpool
L37 1LJ
01704 878591
It is owned by the National Trust and is a wonderful
large area of stunning coastline made up of sandy beach, sand dunes and pine
woods. You can see red squirrels which are a protected species here. Look for
5000 year old Elk footprints in the sand ( we didn't find them! )
|
|
Lakemore Country Park and Animal Kingdom
Haslington nr Crewe
Tel: 01270 253556
36 acre park featuring coffee shop indoor play areas,
pets corner and childrens animal rides, wallabies, lemurs, racoons and
wallabies amongst others !
A great day out for all the family
|
|
Manley Mere adventure trail Nr. Frodsham
Lower farm
Manley
WA6 0PE
Tel no. 01928 740243
Adventure trail needs wellies and a complete change of clothing as the chances
of falling in the stream are 100%
There are water sports on the Mere. They are Kayaking, Improvised Rafting,
Sailing and Windsurfing. |
|
Museum of Science and Industry
Liverpool Road,
Castlefield
Manchester
M3 4FP
Tel no. 0161 832 1830
Situated in the oldest passenger railway station in the world the museum tells
the story of thhistory science and industry of Manchester
- the world's first industrial city.The 'hands on' gallery recommended. A very
good day out! Open all year round 10.00 - 5.00pm except on 24,25,26 Dec. Hot
meals available. You can take the tram from Altrincham. More info.
www.msim.org.uk |
|
Poole's Cavern
Derbyshire
Tel no. 01298 26978
It is a natural limestone cave situated in the
beautiful woodland of Buxton Country Park. It has been visited for 5000 years
since neolithic tribes took shelter there. The cave has been known since the
1600s as the First Wonder of the Peak. Guided tours leave every 20 minuts and
take about 45 minutes. You can see lots of Stalagmites and Stalatites. Warm
clothes are recommended as the temperature is about 7 degrees. Open Mar1 - Oct
31.
More info. on www.poolescavern.co.uk
|
|
Quarry Bank Mill and playground
Styal
Wilmslow
SK9 4LA
Tel no. 01625 527468
This is a museum of national importance. Discover the
lives of the mill workers and how pauper children spent their time with lessons
in the classroom and hours working cleaning up cotton waste among the noisy
looms which still produce Styal Calico cloth. The Apprentice house is situated
close to the old village built to house the workers.You can get a ticket for
this very interesting house where the children lived and went to school.A talk
is provided to bring it all to life. The village too is well worth a stroll
around. More info on www.quarrybankmill.org.uk
|
|
Redhouse Farm
Dunham Massey
Altrincham
WA14 5RL
Tel no. 0161 941 3480
They have a wonderful Maize maze (Dinasaur-themed)
this summer which is a big hit with children. last year's was in the shape of a
cow! There are lots of other activities for kids including a Halloween special.
For more info visit their website www.redhousefarm.co.uk |
|
Redesmere
A lovely lake with lots of ducks ,geese, swans, coots
etc. Very convenient parking beside the lake where you can feed the birds.
Bring lots of bread. Don't go on Sunday afternoons as the birds are already
full!!
To get to it take tha A34 south from Wilmslow. Go through the Monks Heath
traffic lights and past Capesthorne Hall on your right. Soon you will see the
lake on your left. There is a small turning on the left to the lake. If you
come to a crossroads signed Pexhill Road on the left you have already passed
the turning. it's about 700m from the Monks Heath Traffic lights.
|
|
|
Stockley Farm at Arley Hall
Northwich
Cheshire
CW9 6NA
Tel.no. 01565 777492
The organic working farm set in 700 acres with its
150 herd of cattle is a great day out for the family.There are always baby
animals for the children to handle and feed such as newborm calves, piglets,
chicks, rabbits, lambs and goats. You can watch the caows being milked. More
info. www.stockleyfarm.co.uk
|
|
Sudbury Hall Nat. Trust Museum of Childhood
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 5HT
Tel no. 01283 585305
They have a fascinating display about children from
the 18th century onwards. Adventurous 'sweep-sized' children can try a chimney
climb. They have collections of toys, dolls and games from the period.
Open Mar 6th - Oct 30th, Wed - Sun 1.00 - 5.0pm and 3rd - 11th Dec 11.00 -
4.00pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
|
Tatton Park
Knutsford
Cheshire
Tel no. 01625 534400
Set in wonderful parkland with 1000 deer, sheep and cattle, it is a great local
amenity. There is a farm with lots of animals for the children to interact with
. There is also a very nice play area. Frequently there are other activities
such as classic car events more suitable for adults. The japanese garden is one
of the best in the UK it is one of our faorite places to visit. Neigbouring
Knutsford is a delightful old town. |
|
Tittesworth Resevoir
South of Macclesfield and the Roaches
Approach from Macclesfield Leek A523 or Buxton Leek A53
It has a very good visitors centre. Nice walk around
the lake.
|
|
Well Dresssing
Tourist Information centre
Tel no. 01246 345777/8
It is a local tradition to the Derbyshire area and takes place in many villages
on different dates. Its origins are a mystery and may date back to the Celts or
even earlier times. The church banned the custom but it was revived by
Tissington in 1349. Each village has it's own way of dressing the wells which
can take up to 7 days to complete. The final result will only last for about a
week. You can watch the villagers at work or admire the finished products! The
season starts at the beginning of May and continues up to early September. You
can get a leaflet from the Information office in Wilmslow or check out the
website www.derbyshirethepeakdistrict.co.uk
|
|
