Parking – there are several car parks, which can be paid for by cash or card, with prices varying based on length of stay.
Delamere Forest is a self-proclaimed ‘shady oasis’, in the heart of Cheshire. Recognisable for its towering deciduous and evergreen trees, the forest is the perfect spot for those looking to escape the everyday.
Visitors can explore the landscape on foot on one of three accommodating walking trails. Dry sandstone paths are easy to traverse, while the forest’s lush canopy of trees provides ample shade throughout the summer months. There’s plenty of safe space for little ones to run around and explore, and dogs are welcome, making Delamere a great family-friendly option.
2. Tatton Park
Location – Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
Opening hours – Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm (Winter)
Parking – £7 per vehicle
Take a trip to Tatton Park and experience English heritage at its best. The neo-classical stately home at the heart of the park is an icon of Cheshire’s landscape, set amongst 50 acres of award-winning gardens. The gardens are meticulously maintained, and appear almost the same as they would have during the park’s Edwardian heyday.
Surrounding the house and its landscaped gardens are 1,000 acres of rough parkland, which are home to around 400 free-roaming Red and Fallow deer. Visitors are welcome to stroll amongst the beautiful animals and observe them and their captivating day-to-day behaviours.
Tatton Park is an excellent option for families with dogs, as canine friends are welcome but must be kept on a lead. If you’re planning a trip to Cheshire and want to bring your dog for a walk at Tatton, book your stay at Mercure’s Chester Abbots Well, a four-star, dog-friendly hotel just outside Chester centre, which is just a half an hour’s drive from the park.
Dunham Massey park and gardens are nestled between urban Manchester and rural Cheshire. The park is surrounded by a protective wall, making it an oasis of tranquillity the whole family can enjoy.
Like Tatton Park, Dunham Massey is home to a herd of free-roaming Fallow deer. Visitors can enjoy a guided walk around the deer park or take a stroll among the landscape and wildlife. The walking trails are well laid out and accessible to all, though there are areas of parkland that can be explored away from the beaten track, making Dunham Massey an ideal choice, no matter what kind of experience you’re looking to have.
If you’re planning a weekend in Cheshire, don’t miss the opportunity to get outside and enjoy a walk amongst one of its many stunning parks. Book Mercure’s Chester North Woodhey House or Chester Abbots Well, the dog-friendly hotels in the heart of the picturesque countryside, and enjoy a peaceful time, away from the stresses of everyday life.
