A weekend in Manchester is a buzz of great night life, music events and dining experiences – but sometimes we just need a weekend away from it all
As much as we all love the village of Worsley and the nearby city of Manchester, it can get a little overwhelming at times. A weekend in Manchester always sounds great, the buzz of the nightlife, music venues and exquisite dining choices always sounds appealing, but there are the odd weekends that we just want to chill out and relax. The temptation is always there to go out and enjoy a lively weekend when the clock hits 5pm on a Friday night, but what options are there for those who don’t always fancy a wild weekend? Luckily there is a myriad of places which can be visited right on Manchester's doorstep. So if you fancy escaping for the weekend and finding somewhere much more laidback, here are some places you should consider:
Alderley Edge
Alderley Edge is quite often branded as the area of riches, a place for footballer and WAG’s alike. But many overlook Alderley’s true beauty. The small but lovely Cheshire village boasts a wide range of luxury shops and bars. Sports cars are not a shortage here, they can often be seen paraded down the high street or parked outside the newest wine bar. For those who do not fancy some celebrity spotting or supercar picture taking, Alderley Edge has a lot more to offer its visitors. Heading out of town and towards the Edge itself you are greeted with a vast forest and layers of sandstone. Legend has it that some of King Arthur’s Knights lie sleeping in some of the caves. If you are lucky and observant you can even see the wise words of the wizard that are carved into the rocks.
Cleveley Mere
A relaxation overload is in order for those who choose to escape to Clevely Mere. The exquisite lakeside cabins offer the user the ultimate chilled out weekend where they can just forget about the stress and anguish of the working week and unwind. Seven new and stunning lodges have been constructed to offer their users a weekend unlike any other. It’s a window into paradise on a sunny day and they really do justify their 5* ratings.
Tatton Park
Situated across 50 acres of gardens and 1,000 acres of landscaped parkland, Tatton Park is the perfect place to escape the city for the day and explore the wider world outside of Manchester. The park is centred around an 18th century mansion which is still to this day owned by a wealthy family who really love to collect their fine art. There are a vast amount of themed gardens to explore as well. These include the Japanese Garden - complete with its Shinto Shrine which is a very popular attraction to those visiting.
For those looking to stay and explore the whole weekend, the nearby town of Knutsford is the perfect location to hunker down and create a base. The high streets are steeped in Tudor markings and architecture with a vast amount of historical heritage. A visit to King Street will allow you to admire the rather imposing structure known as Gaskall Tower or you can climb up the many cobbled streets in and around Church Hill.
Hebden Bridge
The perfect location to re-discover your creative side, Hebden Bridge is situated just 40 minutes (traffic depending) North East of Manchester. The small and peaceful market town is ever popular with artists, writers and all folks creative. It is home to a delightful array of small and independent shops and cafes which all offer locally sourced products. The canal is the perfect place to relax and unwind or those who fancy a historical aspect to their weekend can walk up and visit the Heptonstall church, the burial place of the renowned poet Sylvia Plath.
Chester
An hours drive down the motorway and you will find yourself and the charming town of Chester. Steeped in history, Chester was originally founded as a Roman fortress as early as 10AD. The town beautifully showcases rows and rows of Tudor buildings, all built in the oh so familiar half-timber styling we are used to seeing. If you don’t fancy learning about history on your weekend off, Chester offers a large array of shops which can be explored. You will also have access to a wide range of coffee houses and smaller restaurants which will be sure to please your palette. You can indulge in some horse racing and the track, explore the town from the historical city wall or settle down and enjoy a spot of afternoon tea, Chester offers it all.
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