2 Bedroom Cheshire cottages

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Nestling on the northern tip of the English-Welsh border, much of Cheshire is of a relaxed and rural nature, with the idyllic rolling hills and sweeping valleys of the Peak District nearby, and the abundant flora and fauna of the Delamere Forest and the Cheshire Plain close to hand. With Warrington to the north and Stoke-on-Trent to the south east, linked by the busy M6, and the ‘county town’ of Chester near to the border with Wales in the west, Cheshire is a popular county, bursting with character and variation.

Things to do in Cheshire
The rural nature of much of the county is reinforced by the wealth of beautiful parks, gardens and stately homes, many of them open to the public. Tatton Park Gardens near Knutsford was recently named as the leading garden in Central England. Meanwhile, at Dunham Massey Hall, a National Trust property near Altrincham, fallow deer graze under ancient trees; and Himalayan poppies and giant Chinese lilies are just two of the horticultural delights within this, one of the great ‘plantsman’s gardens’ of the north west.

The Quinta Arboretum, in the pretty village of Swettenham, contains over five thousand trees across a 28-acre site, and offers sumptuous views across the Dane Valley. The Gritstone and Sandstone Trails present walkers with two particularly fine routes around the county, while the national Trans Pennine Trail stretches across the county and beyond, utilising many disused railways, way-marked routes, and canal and riverside toe-paths, to link the North and Irish seas.

Top Destinations

Chester – The county town and cathedral city of Chester lies on the River Dee. The influence of its Roman founders can be clearly seen in the surviving city walls and the ruins of the amphitheatre. A zoo and a racecourse both attract thousands of visitors each year, whilst the popular Grosvenor Museum provides an in-depth review of local history.

Alderley Edge – Now perhaps best known as home to some of the wealthiest football stars in the country, the town is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the most fashionable of enclaves, with luxury shops and restaurants to delight the keenest of retail fans. Nearby, the 18^th century glory of Capesthorne Hall dominates a landscaped park that is punctuated by beautiful trees and three, serene lakes.

Neston – To the west of the county lies this important local town; once a medieval agricultural settlement which became an significant port during the 17^th century, Neston developed from a mining village and latterly into a market town. Close to Neston, the coastal village of Parkgate presents a great seafront vantage point from which to view the duck, wild geese and sea birds that flock to the surrounding salt marshes.

Knutsford – Promoting itself as ‘a small town with a big appetite’, Knutsford is particularly well served for restaurants and purveyors of fine foods. Once home to the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, and said to be the inspiration for the setting for Cranford, each October the town also hosts an annual literature festival.

Nantwich – A medieval town on the banks of the River Weaver and the Shropshire Union Canal, and to the south of the county, Nantwich has a great indoor-outdoor market, a thriving theatre and is famous for its medieval timbered buildings. It is also the annual host town for the International Cheese Awards.

Congleton – Known locally as Beartown, this pretty market town is well placed for a variety of leisure escapes into Cheshire’s Peak District. Visitors can opt to cycle along the Biddulph Valley Way, or to stroll to the atmospheric high ruins of Mow Cop Castle.

Crewe – Synonymous with trains and railways, during the 19^th century Crewe was home to one of the world’s greatest railway workshops, building locomotives, and bringing wealth and international prestige to the town. Nowadays Crewe still retains much of its Victorian splendour. The Crewe Heritage Centre houses an extensive collection of local railway-related memorabilia.

Wilmslow – A shopper’s paradise, with more than its share of designer boutiques and upmarket options for interior design ideas, Wilmslow lies on the banks of the River Bollin. Nearby at Styal, the National Trust Quarry Bank Mill is one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution.