Top Historic Sites to Explore on Your Cheshire Holidays

Cheshire boasts everything from grand Neoclassical estates to National Trust estates, offering gardens, historic houses, family-friendly days out, charming markets in Chester and Roman Chester; Cheshire Farm Ice Cream as a local treat; as well as plenty of family activities for days out with children!

Discover Cheshire’s history at Storyhouse, Chester. Experience blockbuster films, spectacular live productions and open air theatre and cinema festivals all under one roof!

Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral is many things for many people; a vibrant community of worship, an ancient abbey, an archaeological treasure, cultural hub, musical excellence centre and unique blend of modern and medieval history. Visitors are free to roam freely around this magnificent building; for those wanting an in-depth tour there are Tower Tours or Ground Floor Tours available as well as relaxation after visiting by enjoying light bites at Monk’s Hall Refectory Cafe or booking Traditional Afternoon Tea services.

The Cathedral stands on the site of an original Saxon church dedicated to St Werburgh, patron saint of Chester. Rebuilt during Leofric Earl of Mercia’s rule (recognized best as husband of Lady Godiva), in 1080 by Leofric became a shrine dedicated to this patron saint with miraculous healing powers who was thought of as having miraculous powers of healing himself.

After the Norman Conquest (Chester was the final English city to fall, three years after Hastings), Chester’s modest church was transformed into a grand Benedictine monastery under Anselm, later Archbishop of Canterbury. It features various styles – Romanesque architecture in certain areas while later sections feature Gothic-influenced designs.

The Cathedral is well known for its medieval stained glass collection, including one featuring Christ and His Apostles that dates from 1480. Additionally, there is a rich choral tradition and numerous organ recitals are held within its walls each year. Additionally, Gaia by British artist Luke Jerram (known for his glowing globe sculptures), represents Earth as seen from space – making for an impressive visitation!

The exterior of St Paul’s Cathedral boasts a rhythmic arrangement of large, traceried windows with pinnacles, buttresses, and battlements arranged rhythmically. This unified design stands out among England’s cathedrals which tend to feature differing architectural styles. The Cathedral tower stands proudly atop its north entrance; it is unique among UK cathedrals for having four large, carved turrets as its centerpiece.

Beeston Castle

Beeston Castle stands as an impressive ruin on top of a craggy sandstone ridge in Cheshire, towering high above its surrounding plain. As one of England’s most-visited castle ruins, its history is intriguing: built originally by Earl Ranulf of Chester as a stronghold during his wars with Wales in 1220s; acquired later by Henry III for use during wars with Wales; but never made comfortable living quarters due to lack of resources; instead becoming an outpost of defense in later wars with Wales during Henry III’s wars against Wales during wars between 1270-72.

The inner gatehouse was designed with arrowslits on both sides, and sockets for its hinges can still be seen today. English Heritage managed the castle, and you can explore its towers, stairwells, passages, towers and drawbridge – now part of its defensive system – towers stairwells passages which once formed part of this defensive structure as you explore their towers stairwells passages and towers as part of this museum at its base with shops and cafes available there too!

Lord Tollemache used his castle during Victorian times as the location for his world-famous Kangaroo Fairs, in which imported kangaroos would live amongst its ruins. A modern entrance building constructed during that period to accommodate ticket-clipping visitors during these events.

Though there’s no on-site restaurant, you can enjoy light snacks, ice cream, beverages and soup at the cafe inside the visitor center. Pack your own picnic and relax amongst woodlands surrounding the castle; open grassy areas and picnic tables are spread out throughout the park while souvenirs can be purchased at its gift shop.

Experience 4,000 years of history through the “Castle of the Rock” exhibit at Windsor Castle. Travel back in time from Bronze Age Britain through medieval Europe and onto its decline during the Civil War. After visiting this exhibit, enjoy taking a leisurely stroll along its rocky crag and peer down into its deep well-shaft which has long been associated with Richard II as his treasure is hidden there!

Tatton Park

Tatton Park is one of the UK’s premier historical estates, featuring medieval Old Hall, neoclassical mansion, 50 acres of gardens, rare breed animal farm and 1,000 acres of deer park – an excellent day out for all members of the family. Additionally, there are specialty shops, restaurants and an adventure playground to keep children occupied!

At the conclusion of the Georgian period, this mansion allows visitors to gain an insight into life both above and below stairs. From servants’ scullery, kitchen and salting room to state rooms featuring Gillow furniture; Japanese Garden, Fernery and Kitchen Garden – as well as numerous herds of Fallow and Red deer roaming freely across its vast parkland which also hosts woodland, meres and farmland areas – visitors are sure to experience what life was like back then.

There is an admission charge for cars, minibuses and motorbikes; however visitors who wish to walk or cycle the estate free of charge. They have access to both stable yard area and adventure playground, popular among toddlers and teenagers. Furthermore, this estate hosts various events and programs including environmental school sessions from March through October as well as guided walks led by rangers.

Formerly used as a working farm, today this estate serves as a venue for entertainment events like concerts and historical reconstructions throughout the year. Furthermore, weddings and conferences take place here as well.

Tatton Park has recently unveiled plans for a new attraction called Field to Fork that hopes to attract younger audiences while satisfying current visitors. Blooloop spoke with Carole Mullineux, Business Development Manager at Tatton Park Estate, to gain more insight into how their plans to attract a wider audience will keep current customers content.

Tatton Park in Cheshire offers much to visitors, and few places rival its offerings like Tatton Park. Boasting an Old Hall from medieval England, Neo-Classical Mansion from 1825 and 50 acres of manicured gardens plus rare breed animal farm and 1,000 acres in deer park; Tatton Park should not be missed by any traveller visiting Cheshire.

Norton Priory

Norton Priory, established as a monastery during the 12th century and converted into a country house during 17th-century English Restoration, stands surrounded by an 18th-century walled garden. Described as one of Europe’s most excavated monastic sites and designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Recently its ruins and gardens were renovated to better communicate its multiperiod history and archaeological excavations identified six phases of development on site.

Augustinian canons from Runcorn moved to the site to establish a monastery, building a church, abbey refectory and kitchens, living/working rooms for canons as well as living/working quarters in monastic accommodations, tile kiln, chapel and monastic cemetery. Furthermore they dug a moat around the land for drainage purposes as well as making their own bridge across Mersey to facilitate transport of materials and animals.

As the canons became more prosperous, they gradually converted their early wooden structures to stone structures and expanded the abbey church, as well as building a cloister and chapter house. Refectory space was also increased significantly while an elegant staircase was commissioned for more space reserving by these canons who also commissioned twice life-size statue of St Christopher and their own pottery kiln that produced tiles with distinctive designs.

After the Reformation dissolved the canons of a priory, its remains were purchased by the Brooke family who developed tranquil woodland gardens with pathways, recreated stream-glades, and rockeries; wildlife quickly began flocking there as it quickly became known for its horticulture.

Today the museum’s collections tell the tale of its transformation from priory to mansion house over 900 years, featuring thousands of objects to explore. Visitors can learn about its religious, military and social histories – not forgetting a close look at two-times life size St Christopher statue! Additionally, special displays highlight its function as an interment site and place for commemoration.

Families are welcome to explore Norton Priory, from its ruins, garden and museum – there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained here! Children can participate in fun activities and quizzes; dress up; marvel at giant St Christopher statue; use binoculars & nature trail; use binoculars on nature trail & use binoculars on forest trail as well as visiting special exhibitions available! Additionally there’s the gallery space, woodland trail with sculpture trail as well as special exhibitions offered.