Crocklebogs and Twiggles
Head to Hill Valley Golf and Spa for two challenging courses, to Llandegla Fishery for coarse and fly fishing, or to the delis, cafes and antiques emporiums of Wem and Much Wenlock. Learn the secrets of the deep at Blue Planet Aquarium and the meaning of fear at Alton Towers. Or meet Crocklebogs and Twiggles at BeWILDerwood.
Country kids
Learn the secrets of the deep at Blue Planet Aquarium, with pelican talks, aqua-theatre shows and a giant underwater tunnel. Explore the gullies, caves, walks, trails and wildlife of Hawkstone Park. Or meet with over 21,000 animals and 500 different species at Chester Zoo, including some of the most endangered species on the planet.
Keep up with the latest big-screen releases at Wrexham Odeon. Visit the world’s largest ice-cream parlour, Ice Cream Farm, with mini tractors, play areas and the Marshmallow Mound. Ride the Llangollen Railway through stunning border scenery. Or brave over 40 rides and attractions at Alton Towers, including CBeebies Land.
Take a walk on the wet and wild side at Wild Shore Delamere, with wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and open-water swimming. Learn to sail at Manley Mere. Or experience all kinds of crazy stuff at BeWILDerwood Cheshire, including treehouses, wobbly wires, slippery slopes, Crocklebogs and Twiggles.
Ever wanted to bounce on six trampoline-style nets the size of St Paul’s Cathedral built into a disused mine? Of course you have: head to Bounce Below. Keep the adrenaline going at Zip World, home to the world’s fastest zip line, the exciting Quarry Karts and the Tower Coaster.
For the grown-ups
Head to Hill Valley Golf and Spa for two challenging courses: the par-73 Emerald course and the par-66 Sapphire. Enjoy coarse or fly fishing at Llandegla Fishery. Take a towpath walk from Whitchurch Marina or hire a narrowboat. Or tunnel, jump and climb at The Adventure Ropes Course.
Looking for some aimless pottering? Wem’s the place you need, a place bursting with history and Tudor beams. Dip into the delis, cafes and antique emporiums. There’s more of the same on offer in Much Wenlock and Bishops Castle. Speaking of castles, Blandings, Powis and Ludlow are all worth a quick marauding.
Walking doesn’t get much better than from Church Stretton: consider the Lightspout Waterfall, Stiperstones Ridge or the Devil’s Chair Circular. Or get out to historical spots such as Erddig Hall, a much-loved home, garden and estate filled with the stories of a family and their servants.
Get up to Chester for the racecourse, shopping at The Rows and Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village, walks along the banks of the Dee, and a trip around the cathedral. Or pop to Shrewsbury for shopping as it once was, with The Parade the source of over 30 quirky independents.
Happy hens and stags
Sign up for Cheshire’s number one gin school at Three Wrens, or just take a tasting and distillery tour. Pop into the shop for gin boxes, minis, candles and even a t-shirt. And shoot clay at Fauxdegla, North Wales’ only Premier Plus shooting ground, with 12 sporting stands, skeets and Olympic traps.
Pamper yourself up at Luna Beauty in Gresford with facials, skin resurfacing, needling, massages and waxing. Looking for something different? How about Vale Royal Falconry Centre, where private morning or afternoon parties centre around falconry, archery or even a Meerkat Experience.
Head to Alderford Lake for fun on the aquapark, wild swimming, paddleboarding, aquabikes and canoes. Enjoy an inflatable take on the beautiful game with BubbleBoy Football. Recover with luxury afternoon tea at Hawkstone Hall, with gentlemen’s and vegetarian options.
Just up the road, Chester is hen and stag heaven. Shop designer gear at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village, then wear it to back a nag at the racecourse. Take a boat trip down the Dee and stop off for a picnic on the banks. Wrap up the day at Opera Grill, cocktails at Revolution or dancing at Rosie’s.
