Cheshire

Camping in Cheshire

Cheshire is an under-appreciated gem with an ancient past. Its trademark red sandstone blazes in its buildings as brightly as it did in Tudor times, and the Romans who once walked Cheshire’s paths can occasionally seem close enough to touch. These days, however, most visitors come to the region for a dose of refinement and peace, from the its many castles and elegant country houses to its soothing canals, wildflower meadows and world-famous wildlife — and its ice cream. The 50 flavours at the Cheshire Ice Cream Farm give you some idea of the delicate, luxurious pleasures of Cheshire.

Those used to the fast lane will come happily to a crawl while camping and glamping in Cheshire, to enjoy simple, slow days: wanders across the stunning hills and valleys of the Cheshire countryside with views to Wales and the ocean, meanders around the towering spires of cathedrals and ruined castle keeps, trips down the region’s canals or tea in one of Chester’s quaint tea-rooms. The area’s past, from its Viking history to its time as the epicentre of the salt trade, lives on in gripping sites that bring history to life, but Cheshire is also a place for contemporary tastes.

Reasons to visit Cheshire

Come rain or shine, a camping holiday in Cheshire brings plenty to entertain, from the delights of the countryside and its wildlife to luxurious manors and fascinating museums.

Inspiring countryside

The Cheshire landscape is a rambler’s paradise. The Gritstone Trail takes walkers along the limestone ridges outside Macclesfield, where they can indulge in views all the way to the Welsh border, while the famous Trans-Pennine Trail across Northern England has a considerable section in Cheshire’s countryside, with paths for serious hikers across rolling terrain.

Beyond the untamed wilderness, Cheshire also excels in cultivated gardens for nature lovers. Hare Hill and the area of Alderly Edge are populated with elegant villages and lakes that delight crowds of visitors every year. The lavish Tatton Park accents its Tudor halls and working farm with rolling gardens that include an arboretum, maze, walled garden and Japanese section, with plenty of room for children to work off their energy and explore 50 acres of trails. For a view from the saddle, the Delamere Loop is one of Cheshire’s best horse-riding paths, through ancient Delamere Forest and picturesque Primrosehill Wood.

Wildlife wonders

To visit Cheshire without a trip to the world-famous Chester Zoo is to miss the opportunity of a lifetime. The UK’s most popular zoo appeals to animal-lovers big and small, with over 500 species to see, including baby animals and rare critters you won’t find anywhere else. The Chester Cathedral Falconry, on the grounds of the beautiful Cathedral, offers up-close-and-personal encounters with birds of prey, from owls to vultures; a kestrel gripping your arm through a leather glove is not an experience you’re likely to forget.

Roam among a huge herd of roe deer at Dunham Massey Deer Park, or visit Stockley Farm Park for a chance to pet baby animals at a working dairy farm; curious youngsters can get the chance to be a “young farmer” and peek behind the scenes for a day. Walton Hall and Gardens, meanwhile, has a children’s zoo with daily feeding times for creatures like Shetland ponies and guinea pigs.

Historic walks

Cheshire rewards people who lead with their feet. Wandering the Rows in Chester introduces you to a shopping experience like no other, among Victorian and Tudor buildings with high galleries festooned with decorations. The City Walls themselves, despite being Roman and unchanged since around 1200, are open for an atmospheric two-mile walk with Chester bustling below.

Further afield, budding historians can stroll around the crumbling Beeston Castle, which marries astonishing views over the countryside with hiding spots for kids who can pretend they’re disappearing from thousands of years’ worth of enemies. Lucky wanderers can spot foxes in its attached Woodland Park too.

For a taste of Arthurian legend, take a turn around the Wizard Walk at Alderly Edge to see the alleged home of the wizard Merlin. Want to travel further forward in time? The Regency-era Lyme Park, which stood in for Pemberley in the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice, offers palatial luxury and sprawling grounds, complete with the Playscape at Crow Wood for smaller Austen fans.

Why choose Experience Freedom?

The region of Cheshire is small-scale, but crammed with big experiences and attractions. Camping and glamping in Cheshire with Experience Freedom guarantees you a position unlike any other to dive into the area’s wonders, sights and tastes (you really shouldn't forget the ice cream). To see how Experience Freedom camping can make your Cheshire holiday unforgettable, select a site or use the Search and Book function for a view of availability at your chosen campsite.