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LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Our guide to the best attractions locally, there really is something for everybody!

Half Term Family Breaks

Half Term Family Breaks

Enjoy a half term break away with the family at The Hollies Forest Lodges

Half Term Family Breaks

Christmas in the forest

Christmas in the forest

Escape to Cheshire for Christmas! This enchanting retreat offers the perfect holiday getaway for you and your loved ones. Snuggle up by the crackling fireplace in your charming lodge, adored with festive decorations that evoke the spirit of the season.

Valentine's Getaway

Valentine’s Getaway

Treat that someone special in your life to a romantic break at The Hollies Forest Lodges. With dine-in deals, ice cold champagne and bubbly hot tubs we have everything you need to treat someone... or yourself.

The Hollies Farm Shop

The Hollies Farm Shop

Your on-site farm shop is a couple of minutes’ walk from your forest lodge and you can enjoy 10% off on site during your stay.

A family business since 1959, The Hollies began as a vegetable stand on the side of the road selling homegrown produce with an honesty box. Over 60 years later, still run by the Cowap family, The Hollies Farm Shop has grown to become a retail destination and one of the best farm shops in the northwest of England. The award-winning Little Budworth site now incorporates a butchery, a delicatessen, a fresh fish counter, The Barn home, gift & lifestyle department, The Hollies Takeaway, and 5 luxury self-catering forest lodges for the perfect staycation.

Wild Shore, Delamere

Wild Shore, Delamere

Wild Shore is a family focused watersports and aqua park, nestled next to a beautiful lake in Delamere, Cheshire - just 3 miles from The Hollies Forest Lodges.

Wild Shore is a water-based adventure hub, offering a number of unique, dynamic and adrenaline-charged outdoor activities including Aqua Chimp, Aqua Park, Wakeboarding, Stand Up Paddle boarding and Open Water Swimming.

Pre-booking for all activities is required. Kit hire is included in the price for all activities – this includes a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet if needed, so all you need to take with you is a towel, swimsuit and if you booked Aqua Chimp a pair of trainers you are happy to get wet.

BeWILDerwood, Cheshire

BeWILDerwood, Cheshire

BeWILDerwood is a huge, award winning forest of family fun and WILD outdoor adventure, just 13 miles from our forest lodge site.

BeWILDerwood Cheshire is a huge woodland full of family fun, imagination, and outdoor adventure, based on the magical and enchanting books by author and creator Tom Blofeld.

Endless hours can be spent together, exploring the wonky world of treehouses, whizzing down super slides, swinging together on giant swings and zipping along extra-long zip wires. There is also storytelling and creative crafts amongst other things to join in with too!

Tarporley

Tarporley

The beautiful village of Tarporley is considered to be one of the county's most attractive villages and is just a short 10 minute drive away!

Tarporley High Street is the heart of the village and home to a great range of independent local businesses. From fashion, homeware and lifestyle boutiques to quirky bars and traditional pubs, it has it all, with added wholesome community spirit.

Liverpool

Liverpool

Liverpool is a maritime city in northwest England, where the River Mersey meets the Irish Sea, and you could be there within an hour's drive from our forest lodges.

Liverpool is a city where you can be yourself. It’s a city of creative types, music lovers, culture addicts and friendly faces.

A key trade and migration port from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, it’s also, famously, the hometown of The Beatles. Ferries cruise the waterfront, where the iconic mercantile buildings known as the “Three Graces” – Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building – stand on the Pier Head.

Manchester

Manchester

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, and more, and is only about an hour from our Forest Lodges.

Manchester is a major city in the northwest of England with a rich industrial heritage. Be absorbed by the beautiful attractions such as the gothic architecture at John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral; take in fine art at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth; discover history, old and new, at Manchester Museum and the Imperial War Museum North; see contemporary arts redefined at HOME; or even learn to ski at Chill Factore.

 

The Sandstone Trail

The Sandstone Trail

The Sandstone Trail is a 55-kilometre long-distance walkers' path, following sandstone ridges running north–south from Frodsham in central Cheshire to Whitchurch just over the Shropshire border.

The Sandstone Trail is an easy, well signposted, three day family walk with a variety of terrain and wonderful views – and you can pick up the trail at any point to ‘jump’ on and off it and do as much or as little as you like. The Trail stretches for 34 miles/55 kilometres along Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge and offers superb, unbroken, and often elevated walking across the still largely green and pleasant English county of Cheshire.

National Trust Locations

National Trust Locations

Get out in the fresh air for an adventure by visiting one of the number of National Trust locations in Cheshire!

With grand houses and medieval deer parks, glorious gardens, a working cotton mill and dramatic landscapes, there are plenty of places to discover across Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

Within an hour or less, you could be exploring Dunham Massey, Lyme Park, Little Moreton Hall, Speke Hall, Quarry Bank Mill, or Tatton Park.

Chester

Chester

Visit Chester! The ancient city of Chester is a truly breathtaking experience, just 30 minutes from The Hollies Forest Lodges.

Each chapter of Chester’s history is etched into the very fabric of the city – you will walk where Roman Legionaries marched to war, Viking raiders wreaked havoc and Norman invaders conquered Anglo Saxons!

Chester has the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain. In addition there is the 1000 year old Cathedral with Europe’s finest example of medieval carvings – and the one and only 700 year old Rows galleries where shopping is a double delight.

You’ll find stores galore offering the hottest fashion in Chester all set against a background of unique treasures of antiquity and a vibrant cafe culture where outdoor dining and people watching go hand in hand.

Take a stroll along the banks of the River Dee, or propel yourself in a motorboat, a rowing boat, or a pedalo.

Cheshire Oaks

Cheshire Oaks

Cheshire Oaks is the UK's largest Designer Outlet with a quarter-million square feet of retail space, comprising more than 140 boutiques, restaurants and cafes.

The Designer Outlet is 15 miles from our site and has a wide range of stores, offering something to suit every taste. Highlights range from athletic labels like Nike, Adidas, Sweaty Betty and Lululemon and high-street favourites, like Marks & Spencer and Next, to a selection of iconic fashion brands, including Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Reiss, Kurt Geiger, Mulberry, and Hugo Boss.

Oulton Park

Oulton Park

Just 2 miles away and built into the natural contours of the Cheshire countryside, Oulton Park's combination of stunning scenery and spectacular racing make it one of the most picturesque and best-loved circuits for spectators and competitors alike.

Over more than 60 years Oulton Park has gathered a reputation as the country’s toughest test for both car and driver.

The venue remains as popular as ever with fans thanks to the superb views of the circuit from the extensive spectator banking. Crowds of up to 35,000 regularly visit the circuit for the annual round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. The Cheshire venue also hosts two rounds of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the ever-popular British F3/GT event.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo

A visit to Cheshire isn’t complete without a trip to the UK’s number one zoo, and it is just 13 miles away from The Hollies Forest Lodges.

Chester Zoo was opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family and is now is home to over 20,000 endangered and unusual animals within beautiful, award-winning zoological gardens. With over 500 different animal species across 125 acres, you’re sure to have great day out full of adventure discovering and learning more about the incredible animals and plants.

What’s more, Chester Zoo is a major wildlife charity highly focused on conservation and working to prevent extinction, so by buying a ticket you are helping to make a difference.

Go Ape!

Go Ape!

Go Ape at Delamere Forest is home to four awesome activities for adventurers of all ages in the great outdoors. If you are over 1m tall, adventure awaits - think intricate crossings, wobbly bridges and brilliant zip wires finales!

Young children over 1m tall will have the best day out tackling the Treetop Adventure. For children above 1.2m and over 6 years old, why not try the Treetop Adventure Plus which offers more thrills and challenging crossings? The Treetop Challenge is for older children, teens and adult adventurers, but this is a high one – 12 metres up and the stunning views are worth it. If you don’t fancy the treetop adventures, their all-terrain Forest Segway experience is one you’ll never forget.

If you would prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground, there are numerous walking trails to enjoy the forest too!

Blue Planet Aquarium

Blue Planet Aquarium

Blue Planet Aquarium is a marine and freshwater aquarium located by the Cheshire Oaks retail and leisure complex in Ellesmere Port, 15 miles from our Forest Lodges.

You’ll see the Giant Pacific Octopus in the Octopus lighthouse, see the clownfish and tangs in the coral Cave, and search for the deadliest Stonefish in the Venom section. With over 50 different exhibits from around the world there’s something for everyone.

View Europe’s largest collection of sharks through their captivating 71-metre underwater tunnel – you can even swim with them! That’s right, they offer shark-dive experiences for swimmers of various levels and ages (pre-booking required).

ABBEYWOOD ESTATE

ABBEYWOOD ESTATE

Popular Cheshire Wedding Venue, Abbeywood Estate & Gardens is just a 5 minute drive away, making our Forest Lodges the perfect wedding accommodation.

Open to the public from Sunday through to Thursday, Abbeywood Estate & Gardens has lots to offer with six acres of informal and formal gardens, all different and distinctive in their own right. After exploring the grounds, relax and enjoy the atmosphere in their Garden Café which serves fine foods and drinks for your enjoyment.

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre

Set in 50 acres in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside, Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Countryside Park offers a delightful natural range to help toward the perfect family day out.

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre is the only Shire Horse stud farm in the UK open to the public, with up to 30 shires to see during the stud season. You can learn all about the Shire horse, from its history carrying knights in armour to the important stud work today, ensuring the future of this magnificent breed and there are also Shetland ponies, pigs, ducks, hens, red foxes, Scottish wildcat, otters, polecats, red deer, owls and more to see!

Enjoy refreshments at the Lakeside Cafe – choose from hot and chilled drinks, homemade soup, filled rolls and paninis, fresh cakes & bakes.

 

 

Delamere Forest

Delamere Forest

Delamere Forest is just a 5 minute drive from The Hollies Forest Lodges - a shady oasis in the midst of the agricultural landscape of the Cheshire Plain.

5 minutes drive down the road, you’ll find easy-going trails for all abilities, a hike to admire the view across to Liverpool’s famous skyline, orienteering courses for all abilities or a bit of peace and quiet to watch the wildlife by the lake.

There are also a couple of cycling and mountain bike trails (bike hire is available), the Superworm trail, and the Delamere Forest Cafe offering a wide range of refreshments.

Blakemere Village

Blakemere Village

Blakemere Village is a family-run attraction, home to a unique collective of independent shops and activities.

Activities include Segways, the award-winning Birds of Prey experience, craft workshops and children’s trails. Alongside a range of independent shops, there are also food & drink outlets, all set in the heart of Cheshire. The village is free to enter and offers free parking.

Blakemere Village also hosts the popular annual Gin & Fizz Festival, as well as the Magical Wonderland outdoor experience with dazzling lighting and supreme sound in the depths of Cheshire woodland.

Jodrell Bank

Jodrell Bank

Discover a new world at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, just 18 miles from our forest lodges.

Humans have always looked up at the skies and marvelled at the sun, moon, planets and stars, in an attempt to understand our own sense of place, and purpose, here on earth. For over 75 years, Jodrell Bank has been at the forefront of that quest for understanding and at the heart of ground breaking discoveries and world-leading research.

Jodrell Bank’s inspirational story includes revolutionary scientific discoveries, amazing feats of engineering, the dawn of the Space Age and the creation of the Grade I listed Lovell Telescope, an icon for science and engineering. Today Jodrell Bank Observatory is owned and managed by the University of Manchester and is a world-leading science research institute, with scientists working at the cutting edge of modern astrophysics.

The Ice Cream Farm

The Ice Cream Farm

Visit the worlds largest ice cream parlour where they make The Hollies favourite Cheshire Farm Ice Cream!

The new attractions offer a whole new flavour of activity. From ‘Honeycomb Canyon’, a sensational sand and water play area that allows children of all ages and abilities to play, engage and explore whatever the British weather brings, to ‘Daisy’s Garden’, ‘Strawberry Falls’ and ‘Silvercone’ to name but a few.

The Ice Cream Farm offers a fun day out for all the family. If you don’t get to go, we sell a variety of their delicious ice cream in our on site farm shop, so you can sample it from the comfort of your forest lodge.