Cheshire ~ England

About the County

Cheshire is a county of dramatic contrasts, encompassing both idyllic towns and villages and industrial heritage and landscapes. Cheshire lies on a predominantly fertile plain, with the Pennines in the east. The Delamere Forest is its only major woodland. Many of the towns and villages are peppered with historic buildings and are home to great historic houses. It is estimated that there are more fine 18th and 19th century country houses in Cheshire than in any other English county. Tatton Hall and Dunham Massey are both excellent examples. Eastham, Ellesmere Port and Runcorn are decidedly industrialised, their growth encouraged by the creation of the Manchester Ship Canal. Rural Cheshire is today a most pleasant and a much sought after place to live. It is reckoned that more millionaires live in the county than in any other in the United Kingdom. The city of Chester is situated about 40 miles west and slightly south of Manchester. The county town of Cheshire, it is often regarded as Britain's most outstanding 'black and white' city, on account of the large number of half-timbered medieval buildings which survive in its centre. The city is also home to the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, the Victorian Eastgate Clock set on the city walls, and a magnificent cathedral. Chester was originally settled by the Romans as the fortress called Deva, named after the River Dee on which the city stands.

Places of Interest

Adlington Hall, Macclesfield is one of England's finest stately homes, with Elizabethan and Paladian features. Chester Zoo is the United Kingdom's biggest zoo, with over 5,000 animals living in spacious surroundings. Tatton Park is an imposing country house, with extensive ornamental gardens and ponds. Dunham Massey & Deer Park, another great house, with 18th and 19th century architecture, lavishly furnished, and providing ample walking opportunities in the deer park.

Living in Cheshire

Chester has 2 main shopping centres, Rufus Court and The Rows. The city is packed with a huge variety of retail outlets, from fashion to fine antiques. The serious shopper can venture to the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet - Europe's largest outlet. Knutsford, Warrington, Nantwich or Macclesfield all have good shopping facilities. For fresh local produce there are local farmers markets, regional produce markets, farm shops and many food and drink festivals. The county has a Michelin star restaurant, as well as many other good restaurants and some great pubs serving traditional local dishes. There are many good schools in Cheshire, both independent and comprehensive, from nursery through to secondary, with over half of all the pupils in the county achieving grades A-C in their GCSE's in the latest league tables. The county also has several colleges, and the University of Chester. There are very good county wide rail and bus services, and Manchester International Airport is less than an hour from many parts of Cheshire.

The county has a great range of sports and leisure facilities, offering everything from tennis, squash, swimming, golf, gymnasiums, fitness classes and martial arts.

Cities, towns and villages within Cheshire