I moved to Cheshire over 13 years ago when I had a 2-year-old and a 6-week-old – mad, I know! We moved for my husband’s work and didn’t know a sole. So, I put all my time into getting out and about finding things to do with the kids. Now that they are teenagers, we have done pretty much everything to do in the area. So, as Vetran mum, here is my 5 top picks for thing to do with kids in and around Chesire. Oh, and they are either cheap or free!
1 – Blaze Farm
Starting with one of my favourites, it’s Blaze Farm. We have spent many hours there, and we loved it.
Just over the border from Cheshire into the Peak District is Blaze Farm in Wildboarclough is one of our great. Meet farm animals, treat yourselves to their delicious homemade ice cream in the tearooms, enjoy the black hill trail to take in those stunning Peak District views, and let the kids go wild on the tunnel slide out the back. If you go about Easter time, you will hopefully be lucky enough to be some little lambs in the lambing she.
There are two signposted nature walks across the land surrounding Blaze Farm. The shorter one is only 1 km and the perfect little ones.
Thers the new The Potty Sheep Craft Studio: ceramic painting at Blaze Farm, where you can sit painting pottery for a couple of hours.
Blaze Farm Wildboarclough, Macclesfield, SK11 0BL – https://www.blazefarm.com/
2 – Rudyard Lake Steam Railway
This was a firm favour with our boys over the year, and even now, we go for a walk and a coffee.
Located at Rudyard Station in the North Staffordshire Peak District, they have a little stream strain that you can take a ride on along the lake. The views are just beautiful. There’s a little cafe at the train station, or if you cross the bridge to the watersports, there is a lovely cafe there where you can get something to eat or a drink and sit watching the lake.
They even do a Santa train, which is just so special.
Rudyard Station, Rudyard Road, Rudyard, Leek, Staffs ST13 8PF – http://www.rlsr.org/
3 – The Edge at Alderley
It is such a lovely place to walk and grab a coffee and cake at the https://www.facebook.com/TheWizardTearoom/. The edge has an amazing view over Cheshire. An easy-access circular walk in the heart of the Cheshire countryside exploring mining remains and learning about the popular legend of Alderley Edge. The car park is free to National Trust members. It’s just a lovely, wholesome place to go for a family walk and let the kids burn off some energy
4 – Manchester Viewing Platform
A great day out for all the family, the Runway Visitor Park. Adjacent to the busy runways of Manchester Airport, the park’s raised viewing area means you can stand literally just a few metres away from the planes as they go past. You pay for parking, it’s about £6 for two hours. You can sit and watch all the planes landing and taking off. There’s a big play park there that is fantastic for little ones.
In one of the big hangers, there is a Concorde; you can walk about it. They also offer the Concorde Classic Tour to go inside and have a tour.
They have a lovely cafe there if you want to grab a coffee or something to eat. They do allow picnics.
They have recently opened their Flight Simulator 360, but we haven’t checked it out yet!
https://www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk/visit-us/explore-our-aircraft/
5 -Glebe Farm
Glebe Farm is set in the lovely countryside just outside of Congleton in Asbury. There is loads to do there, and most of it is free! They have a small farmyard with animals you can feed. They also have a little playground with mini tractors.
Take a relaxing hay ride about their fields! Or they have a steam train running on weekends.
There is a cafe and a few lovely shops that include a florist and butchers.
It’s just a good few hours out of the house without spending a fortune!
http://www.glebefarmastbury.co.uk/farm-shop/
I hope you have found some of these suggestions helpful
Nic xx
