Cheshire Tourist Information

Let us help you plan your ideal vacation in Cheshire ...

This is an area of contrasts - a very rural part of the county with much of its prosperity founded on agriculture. Traditional industries like salt and leather helped towns like Nantwich and Middlewich develop but it was the industrial revolution that was responsible for changing a small village into the railway town of Crewe.

North Cheshire includes Macclesfield, once famous for its silk industry; Alderley Edge in the "stockbroker belt" has the attractive wooded hillside country of "The Edge"; Wilmslow has some "smart" shops and is close to Manchester Airport and Styal Mill, a National Trust property which is a working museum of the textile industry originally powered by water wheels well worth a visit!. Also included in this area are Knutsford, Northwich, Warrington, Runcorn and Widnes.

South Cheshire, a fairly flat and mainly rural area is rapidly developing as a tourist destination. The two towns making up the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich have distinctly different origins and character. Crewe developed rapidly as a result of the coming of the railways whereas neighbouring Nantwich has many traditional black & white properties dating back centuries.

City Walls.jpg (8393 bytes) The city walls walkway. Photo: Judges Postcards

The City of Chester, established as Deva by the Romans 2,000 years ago on the banks of the River Dee, is the historic gem of North West England. It is easily accessed by motorway and rail, and is the gateway to the castles and coast of North Wales and a good touring base for the great houses and gardens of Cheshire and the Wirral.

Chester is the most complete walled city in Britain. The original walls were built by the Romans, and today they offer a two mile walkway around the city interrupted by historic towers and ancient gates in the form of imposing stone arches.

Another great legacy of Roman times is the Amphitheatre, the largest stone-built arena discovered in Britain, with tiered seating for 7,000 people. The Deva Roman Experience is a vivid introduction to Chester's Roman origins.

Cross.jpg (11745 bytes) The Cross. Photo: Judges Postcards

In the Middle Ages, Chester was by the far the most important port in northern England. Global trading brought considerable affluence to the city, and during this period the famous half-timbered double-decker Rows were built. These distinctive promenades line the four roads radiating from the Cross - they are unique to Chester with evocative names such as Broken Shin Row and Pepper Alley.

Chester Cathedral towers above the city: originally a 10th Century church dedicated to St. Werburgh, a Mercian princess, it is the site of a wealthy Norman Benedictine Monastery and only became a cathedral after the dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII.

Chester is well served by museums and galleries: Chester Castle is the site of the Military Museum, and nearby is the Grosvenor Museum with the Roman Stones Gallery and diorama of the Roman fortress as it was about AD220.

The Eastgate Clock stands, not surprisingly, above the Eastgate which is crossed by the walkway of the city walls. The present Eastgate was built in 1768-9 and the clock in 1899 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

A picture map and walking tour guide to the city is available from the Information Centre - this is by far the best way to appreciate what the city has to offer.

The Industrial Revolution brought canals, railways and roads to Chester. The Rows and the Cathedral were restored, and the Eastgate Clock was erected to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. Chester races take place on the Roodee Racecourse on the riverside every month from May to September. Motor racing takes place at the nearby Oulton Park Circuit, and there are several boat races on the River Dee. Chester offers a wide choice of accommodation in an excellent touring location.

Eastgate Clock.jpg (11613 bytes) The Eastgate Clock. Photo: Judge's Postcards

If you are looking for accommodation, first choose the type you require:

   Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.

   Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.

   Camping and Touring Caravan Sites

   Boating and Sailing Holidays

Please note that if you are wanting to stay in an apartment, some may be listed as "Aparthotels" in the Hotels section. These tend to offer more services than a normal apartment, eg restaurants, bars, and "Reception" staff more associated with hotels. Normal apartments are listed in Self-Catering.

If you are planning a holiday in a static caravan or mobile home, these should be listed in the Self Catering section.

Don't forget we offer lots of information on Activities, Attractions and Travel to help you plan your vacation.

Tourist Information Centres

ALTRINCHAM
Tourist Information Centre, Altrincham Library, 20 Stamford New Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1EJ
Tel: 01619 125931

CHESTER
Chester Visitor's Centre, Vicars Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1QX
Tel: 01244 402111    Fax: 01244 403188
E-mail: tis@chester.gov.uk
Web: www.visitchester.com

CONGLETON
Town Hall, High Street, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1BN
Tel: 01260 271095     Fax: 01260 298243
E-mail: tourism@congleton.gov.uk

KNUTSFORD
Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6TA
Tel: 01565 632611     Fax: 01565 652367
E-mail: ktic@macclesfield.gov.uk

MACCLESFIELD
Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1DX
Tel: 01625 504114
E-mail: informationcentre@macclesfield.gov.uk
Web: www.macclesfield.gov.uk

NANTWICH
Nantwich Tourist Information Centre, Nantwich Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5DG
Tel: 01270 537359     Fax: 01270 610880
E-mail: nantwichtic@cheshireeast.gov.uk

NORTHWICH
1 The Arcade, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5AS
Tel: 01606 353534     Fax: 01606 353516
E-mail: tourism@valeroyal.gov.uk

RUNCORN
Tourist Information Centre, Church St, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 1LG
Tel: 01928 576776
E-mail: tourist.info@halton-borough.gov.uk
Web: www.halton.gov.uk

STOCKPORT TIC
Staircase House, 30 Market Place, Stockport, SK1 1ES
Tel: 0161 474 4444   Fax: 0161 429 6348
E-mail: tourist.information@stockport.gov.uk
Web: www.stockport.gov.uk

WARRINGTON TIC
Travel & Visitor Information Centre, Warrington Bus Interchange, Horsemarket Street, Warrington, WA1 1TF
Tel: 01925 428585    Fax: 01925 652692
E-mail: informationcentre@warrington.gov.uk
Web: www.welcometowarrington.com

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Cheshire Tourist Information

Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc. Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc. Camping and Touring Caravan Sites Boating and Sailing Holidays

Tourist Information Centres

Useful links

Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.

Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.

Camping and Touring Caravan Sites

Boating and Sailing Holidays