Top Family Activities in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

Manchester has a lot to offer for families in search of entertainment and when you add in the sights and attractions from bordering Cheshire too, you’ll be spoilt for choice!  That’s why we’ve put together our top family activities in Cheshire and Greater Manchester to help you plan your stay.

Whether you’re visiting Manchester for a short city break and staying in a fabulous Manchester family hotel, looking for fun activities to entertain the kids over the summer holidays or you’re living the high life like one of the Cheshire housewives at a luxury Cheshire family hotel, there’s so much to learn, see and do for all the family in this fabulous corner of the world.

GET LOST IN A WOODLAND FULL OF FUN AT BEWILDERWOOD

First up on our top family activities in Cheshire and Greater Manchester is a brand new, topsy turvy treetop adventure. At Cheshire’s NEW enchanting BeWilderwood you can spend endless hours exploring the wonky world of treehouses, shoot down slippery slides, balance on wonky wires and skip over broken bridges, get crafty in ‘The Big Hat’, navigate your way through the high-altitude Sky Maze and take in the views at the Telescope Tower amongst a host of other activities.

WHIZZ DOWN THE SLOPES AT CHILL FACTORE

If you’re a seasoned skier or snowboarder then head to Manchester’s Indoor Ski centre, Chill Factore and take to the slopes. And don’t worry if you’re a beginner too as there are snow fun options for you too. The Snow Park has oodles of real snow with Downhill Doughnuts and fun-filled sledging activities. And if you’re new to skiing you can book a beginners’ lesson package that gives you access to the Snow Park too.

LEARN ABOUT MANCHESTER’S INDUSTRIAL PAST AND BECOME A SCIENTIST AT MOSI

Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry is renowned for its interactive activities and fun-filled approach to learning. Experiment is where you’ll find many younger visitors learning all about forces and electricity in an exciting and stimulating way. Revolution Manchester is another of the permanent galleries that will take you through the rich legacy of industrial innovations, scientific discoveries and ideas that changed the world, all of which originated in Manchester.

EXPLORE SPACE SCIENCE AND UNCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE AT JODRELL BANK

A guide to the top family activities in Cheshire and Greater Manchester wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the most imposing landmark on the Cheshire landscape. The Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank can be seen for miles as you approach the North West’s space discovery centre. It has been quietly probing the depths of space since 1957. Here you can learn all about the solar system, complete a scavenger hunt and learn all about the fascinating history and ground-breaking interstellar discoveries made at this site. And if you’re looking for a Cheshire family hotel to retreat to after your interstellar adventure, then look no further than the Best Western Cresta Court.

HAVE AN ADVENTURE-PACKED DAY EXPLORING HEATON PARK

Heaton Park is a day out in itself with 600 acres to explore, two playgrounds, an animal centre and a Grade 1 listed neoclassical country house. However, if you’re in search of adventure then look up towards within the woods for fun for all the family. Children as young as three are free to bounce, play, slide and climb beneath the tree canopy without harnesses in the Treetop Nets. There are walkways, trampolines, treehouses, slides and ball parks, all suspended high up in trees up to 15m off the ground. Older visitors can swing, climb, zip and balance their way through the treetop trek and there’s a mini trek too for small fans of big adventures

INDULGE YOUR NEED FOR SPEED AT TEAMSPORT INDOOR KARTING

For older children and budding Lewis Hamiltons (aged eight upwards) TeamSport Trafford Park  is a high-octane day out they won’t forget in a hurry. Put your foot to the floor, enjoy the thrill of the race, navigate the hairpin turns and maybe even steer your way to finding out what it feels like to win a spot on the podium with an action-packed afternoon of racing! And the best thing is that you can all race together as a family.

INDULGE YOUR FOOTBALL FANS WITH NOT ONE BUT THREE OF THE NORTH WEST’S TOP FOOTBALL ATTRACTIONS

If your small people are obsessed with the beautiful there are some superb places to visit in Manchester while they wait for the new season to start. Tours operate daily at The Etihad Stadium on the blue side of Manchester and similarly at Manchester United’s home ground Old Trafford, otherwise known as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. The city is also home to The National Football Museum where young fans can see Geoff Hurst’s World Cup winning shirt, get a picture with the Premier League trophy and test out their commentary and penalty kick skills! And why not check out one of the Cresta Court’s leisure breaks and Manchester family break offers to complement your visit www.cresta-court.co.uk

HAVE A SKY-HIGH ADVENTURE IN DROYLSDEN

The North West’s weather is nothing if unpredictable, so it pays to have a rainy-plan in place just in case. At Sky High Adventure the kids can burn off some energy with Clip and Climb, High Ropes, Caving and Bouldering plus a brilliant soft play area. while you enjoy a coffee and maybe a sweet treat or two from the onsite café. And if one or more of you is feeling extra brave then try the Leap of Faith or the Vertical Slide challenges as an added extra.

Sky High Adventure is located in Droylsden, just a short drive from Manchester City Centre.

EXPLORE BOTH LEGOLAND AND THE SEALIFE CENTRE

Have an action-packed day with a multi-attraction pass to two of Manchester’s top Merlin entertainment sites. Discover the hidden depths of subaquatic worlds at Manchester’s SeaLife centre.  You’ll meet colossal Japanese spider crabs, have a close encounter with black tip reef sharks in the ocean tunnel and be enchanted by the graceful inhabitants of Stingray Bay.

A multi-attraction pass also gains you entry to Manchester’s Legoland Discovery Centre where visitors can explore a mini-Lego version of England’s North West, take a whirl in Merlin’s magical potion room and zap trolls and skeletons on a kingdom quest.

Keep an eye out for some fantastic Manchester family break offers from hotels nearby, such as the Cresta Court, a Manchester family hotel which has packages with tickets to Legoland and SeaLife included.

GO DEER SPOTTING AND TAKE A RIDE THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE IN TATTON PARK

A National Trust gem and an area of astounding natural beauty, Tatton Park is renowned for its antlered inhabitants. You won’t need to venture far within the grounds to spot them. In fact, Tatton has been a deer park since 1290 and is home to herds of Red and Fallow deer, which roam freely – you may be surprised at how close you they will allow you to get. If you’re feeling energetic one of the best ways to explore is one two-wheels and there is cycle hire available within the grounds. If you have your own bikes with you, entry is free for cyclists, however there is a small charge to visit the house and gardens. Other attractions include an onsite farm and vintage merry-go-round.

REST AND RECHARGE READY FOR ANOTHER DAY OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN CHESHIRE AND GREATER MANCHESTER

A home from home, situated in the historic market town of Altrincham, The Best Western Cresta Court Hotel has some of the best Cheshire break deals and is ideally situated to explore the best of what the area has to offer for families, including some fantastic Manchester family break offers. It’s just a tram ride into the bustling city centre, while a short car journey in the opposite direction will take you to the rolling hills and tranquillity of the Cheshire countryside. With stylish and comfortable family rooms on offer it’s an ideal base to plan your adventures as a family in Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

Here’s all you need to book online with the best Cheshire and Manchester hotel deals: www.cresta-court.co.uk