10 Best Child-Friendly Museums in Cheshire for Holidays
Cheshire offers plenty of activities for children to do, from animal magic and family art trails to culinary adventure! Discover picturesque villages, magnificent industrial heritage sites and castles while having fun.
Venture back in time at this eccentric Tudor house near Congleton. Explore its maze of wibbly floors and winding staircases as part of this fun family attraction.
1. Tatton Park
Tatton Park is one of Cheshire’s top family attractions, boasting a Neo-Classical mansion, gardens, an animal farm and medieval Old Hall. Additionally, there are exciting events held regularly such as food festivals, classic car shows and cinema under the stars.
Explore the extravagant former home of the Egerton family built near the end of Georgian period, featuring grand rooms like symmetrical library and music room as well as unrivalled Gillows furniture collection as well as extensive Servants Quarters showing life both above and below stairs at that time.
The huge deer park is an attraction and the woods, meres and rough grassland provide habitats for an array of wildlife – particularly children’s favorite pheasants! And if you’re lucky, you might just spot one of the rare Hebridean or Soay sheep!
2. Walton Hall & Gardens
Walton Hall, Warrington’s crowning glory, lies amid acres of tranquil and idyllic parkland steeped with local history. Formerly home to Lord and Lady Daresbury, today Walton Hall offers visitors many attractions for every taste; whether that means visiting their Children’s Zoo and walking one of their resident alpacas around, exploring stunning gardens, Victorian glasshouses or playing golf or Pitch ‘n’ Putt or taking on their high ropes course course!
Walton Hall & Gardens offer plenty of attractions and facilities open daily at an entrance fee that won’t break the bank, providing plenty of opportunity for discovery and enjoyment. Rhododendrons and hollyhocks bloom beautifully during autumn while winter woodlands transform into winter wonderlands thanks to an illuminated Christmas trail. Walton Hall also welcomes weddings and events.
3. Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo, as the UK’s number one zoo, serves as an international center of conservation. Offering family friendly attractions over 128 acres of zoological gardens with over 37,000 endangered creatures to discover, Chester Zoo stands as an incredible testament to global sustainability and world conservation efforts.
From newly added snow leopards and lemur species to electric eels, African lungfish and Lake Malawi cichlids – this zoo offers something to delight every child! Additionally, guests can visit its aquarium featuring electric eels, African lungfish and Lake Malawi cichlids or take in Native: The Incredible World of British Wildlife; an immersive film experience created by filmmakers behind BBC wildlife documentaries.
Chester Zoo offers an exciting array of experiences including Safari Evenings and Meet the Keeper sessions, children’s play areas, shops, kiosks and numerous picnic lawns for you to visit. Get around using Zoofari Railway monorail or water bus on canals; Chester also features restaurants such as Ark, Tsavo Cafe and Oakfield Restaurant located nearby the Lion Enclosure for your dining pleasure.
4. Storyhouse
On 14 June, Queen Elizabeth and Meghan Duchess of Sussex officially inaugurated this venue which not only houses theatre and cinema but also has bookshelves throughout. Since opening its doors on 14 June, over one million visitors have visited its premises while enjoying community activities alongside its professional program of theatre, cinema and events.
Cheshire West and Chester Council was keen from the outset for Storyhouse to be a community centre, and its success demonstrates just how satisfying it can be to bring disparate elements together and celebrate their differences, frictions and overlaps.
Families can look forward to a variety of events this month, from arts and crafts, henna tattooing and Arabic calligraphy at Meet Your Muslim Neighbour to children learning to pose and vogue during Ghetto Fabulous’s dance workshop. Additionally, Young Storyhouse hosts its Secret Spies Training Academy every Tuesday and Thursday for children who want to earn their spy badge and develop their spy skills.
5. Blakemere Village
Family-run attraction featuring an eclectic collection of independent shops, activities, enticing eateries and exciting annual events. Experience segwaying and archery; attend bird of prey sessions; craft workshops for children’s play barn; segway/archery lessons as well as food/drink outlets are just a few options available at this family-friendly attraction.
Set in a hidden clearing with nine small and three larger lodges – all featuring ensuite bathrooms – offering peace and serenity, you will experience all the joys and pleasures of Cheshire countryside. In addition, there is also a touring park with hardstanding pitches, large amenities block, reception desk with shop, receptionist service and The Den games/chill out room available to visitors.
Steve’s Artisan Experience is an inviting coffee shop and deli offering cheese, spirits, speciality gins, wine and local produce for creating picnic hampers! Additionally, their pet department features locally-sourced rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters alongside reptiles and fish as well as dog-friendly camping accommodations nearby.
6. The Ice Cream Farm
The Ice Cream Farm near Chester is an engaging family attraction, designed to foster children’s imaginations and provide a fun family outing. Boasting one of the world’s largest ice cream parlours and indoor and outdoor play attractions – plus over 50 Cheshire Farm Ice Cream flavours – The Farm features everything needed for an enjoyable visit!
Children will delight in exploring Gemstone Cove, racing around Ripple Run and reaching the podium at Silver Cone. Indulge in activities such as Daisy’s Garden Bouncing, Rocky Road Mini Land Rover Driving Experiences or Honeycomb Canyon Navigation to complete your experience!
The Ice Cream Farm is open year-round; however, outdoor activities in wintertime require suitable clothing for your child to participate. Best suited to children aged 3-7. Tickets cost PS30 per person while Family and Friends Membership offers access for four people during term time with free entry to all play areas.
7. Hare Hill
Hare Hill offers an idyllic woodland and garden, ideal for families. There is also an on-site natural play area. However, due to a few miles of unsuitable paths around its woods and walled garden if you plan on taking your stroller/pushchair along.
William Hibbert constructed this garden in 1797 as a family retreat near their London house. Later it passed on to Francis Brocklehurst who, having traveled widely himself, wanted a peaceful setting for his new home.
Today, the National Trust owns and manages this property and makes it available to visitors. There is a small fee to enter the garden; also available is a welcome building with informational materials and secondhand books (an “honesty box”). Ball games and bicycles are not permitted within its borders.
8. Tudor House & Walled Garden
Tudor House and Walled Garden takes visitors back in time to 16th-century England, providing history lessons along with hands-on activities and learning opportunities.
As soon as you enter, the room darkens and you are met by ghostly figures from its former inhabitants in an educational audiovisual presentation. Learn about its history from being built as the home for 14th Century mayor John Wytegod up through 19th Century philanthropist William Spranger who renovated and transformed it into a museum.
The garden features plants and herbs typical of Tudor times as well as a recreated medieval knot garden, and educational programs and family tours for children and families are offered throughout the year. Booking ahead will ensure a knowledgeable guide can give an in-depth explanation of its history as well as past residents.
9. Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral stands as an icon in this historic town and remains one of the most stunning structures. Constructed as a monastery in 1092, it survived Henry VIII’s Dissolution frenzy of 1540 relatively unscathed.
Keuper Sandstone from Chester Basin provides the foundation of this cathedral, which allows for very intricate carving. Visitors of all ages can enjoy tours that are specifically tailored towards children – Tower Tours and Ground Floor Tours are available.
Children can participate in a falconry experience where they will meet and greet birds of prey, such as Chester Cathedral. Chester Cathedral can also be enjoyed as part of Rabbie Tours’ 3-day Snowdonia, North Wales and Chester tour from London or Manchester; click here for more information or booking your trip; alternatively you can read our comprehensive guide about visiting Chester Cathedral here.
10. Splash Zone
At this creative water park, imagination can run wild. Inspired by the deltaic sands of the Nile, water bursts from a not-too-terrific fountain onto beach-like stretch of sand from which emerges pyramids and Cleopatra’s Needle-style obelisks for visitors to climb. Kids also can explore an elaborate sandcastle equipped with teeter-totters, catwalks, and tunnels – perfect for creative play!
Children can gradually introduce themselves to water at their own pace through Hanging Lake kid’s slides and water fall, while more advanced individuals can explore a series of bridges containing running water that provide an alternative experience not available at National Natural Landmark. Every three minutes, 1000 gallons are released from Splash Zone’s unique Giant Bucket into Giggle Bay for parents to join or simply watch from nearby lounge chairs.
