Adlington Hall, Adlington, Macclesfield. tel 01625 829206. Built on the site of a Hunting Lodge which stood in the Forest of Macclesfield in 1040. In the Civil War was a Royalist Garrison but now renovated in the Georgian Style.

Arley Hall & Gardens, Arley, Northwich. tel 01565 785353. Victorian Mansion House with fine interior and private chapel by Salvin. Magnificent private gardens of great variety overlooking beautiful parkland. Visit nearby Stockley Farm - open to the public, in order to foster a better understanding between town and country.

Beeston Castle, Beeston, Tarporley. Standing sentinel over the Cheshire Plain with spectacular views in all directions the castle is steeped in local history dating back to bronze age times, and played a prominent role during the English Civil War. ( SJ 538593 )

Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral. tel 0151 355 5017. The world's largest collection of traditional canal boats. See the restoration of boats and engines using traditional skills and crafts.

Bramhall Hall Park, Bramhall, Stockport. tel 0161 486 3708. Built mainly in the 15th & 16th centuries and set in 60 acres of parkland, this is one of Britain's finest examples of a black and white timbered Elizabethan manor houses. There are lakes, streams, gardens, extensive lawns, natural woodland, children's playground and a trail. A cafe serves lunches, teas and snacks.

Capesthorne Hall, Park, Lake and Gardens, Capesthorne, Macclesfield. tel 01625 861439 / 861221. Rebuilt during the 19th century, contains a great variety of sculptures, paintings and furniture. Leisure activities and special events are held during the year.

Cheshire Agricultural Annual Show, Tabley, Knutsford.

Chester Zoo, Chester. tel 01244 380280. Largest zoo in Britain outside London. Many rare and endangered species - in large enclosures. FREE GUIDED TOURS.

Cholmondeley Castle Garden, Malpas. tel 01829 720383. APRIL to SEPTEMBER only. Described as being among the most romantically beautiful gardens seen. Gothic Castle with magnificent trees set in sweeping lawns and landscaped gardens. Also walled kitchen garden, mere, rare animal breeds and tea room. Special events held during the season.

Dunham Massey Hall & Deer Park, Altrincham. tel 0161 941 1025. Historic house set in ancient parkland, formerly the seat of the Earls of Stamford and Warrington. The Hall is richly furnished with fine collections of furniture, portraits and silver. The gardens and parkland contain Edwardian, Elizabethan and other ancient features. A restaurant is situated in the converted stables.

Gawsworth Hall Park and Gardens, Gawsworth, Macclesfield. tel 01260 223456. Ancient Manor House dating back to Norman Times, containing fine pictures, furniture, sculpture and stained glass. Open air theatre and concerts during the summer.

Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, Lower Withington, Macclesfield. tel 01477 571339. See the wonders of space - modern astronomy, working models, communications and weather, PLANETARIUM, picnic gardens and arboretum. Ideal for science-inquisitive children.

Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, Bebington, Wirral. tel 0151 645 3623. Founded by the 1st Viscount Leverhulme and opened in 1922, includes paintings by Reynolds, Wilson, Turner, Burne-Jones, Leighton, Sargent and many others, plus a vast collection of 17th & 18th Chinese porcelain, antique marbles, fine oak, walnut and mahogany furniture.

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton. National Trust Property. Perhaps the best-known example of timber framed architecture in England. Appreciate the structural ingenuity of the Tudor and Elizabethan craftsmen, whose carpentry, plasterwork, painting and glazing are of the highest quality. ( SJ 833588 )

Lyme Park, Disley, Stockport. tel 01663 422023. Fine stately home and country park dating back to Elizabethan times, now famous for tapestries and wood carvings. Special Festival events during the year, including sheepdog and horse trials.

Macclesfield Canal - impressive examples of early civil engineering; ladder of locks and aquaduct at Bosley, 5 miles south of Macclesfield. (SJ 904663)

Macclesfield Museums tel 01625 613210 - West Park Museum, Heritage Centre, Paradise Museum (1995 Museum of the year Award), and Silk Museum.

Nantwich Agricultural Annual Show, Nantwich. tel 01270 780306. One day open to the public on the last Wednesday of July each year. Judging on Tuesday - the day before.

Ness Gardens, University of Liverpool Botanic Gardens, Ness, South Wirral. tel 0151 336 2135. Visitor Centre with indoor exhibitions and slide sequences. Gardens contain Magnolia, Azalia, Rhododendron, Flowering Cherries & Ornamental Crab Apple, Primula, Roses, Herbaceous Borders, Terrace Gardens and Water Garden.

Norton Priory, Warrington Road, Runcorn. tel 01928 569895. Museum and 16 acres of gardens - Augustinian Priory built in 1134, transformed into a Tudor and a Georgian mansion before being abandoned in 1921. Now has regular exhibitions and demonstrations reflecting earlier crafts and traditions.

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow. National Trust Property. tel 01625 527468. Founded in 1784, it was one of the first water powered cotton spinning mills where children worked during the Industrial Revolution. Now restored, it demonstrates water wheel to woven cloth.

Salt Museum, London Road, Northwich. tel 01606 41331. The history of salt making in Cheshire from Roman times to the present day - models, photographs, maps, diagrams and objects. Open all-year-round.

Shropshire Union Canal - impressive examples of early civil engineering; ladder of locks at Audlem, 6 miles south of Nantwich. ( SJ 658435 )

Stretton Mill, Stretton, Farndon, Chester. tel 01606 41331. APRIL to OCTOBER only. Now restored to working order, visitors can watch the centuries old process of grinding flour with millstones driven by water-powered wheels.

Tatton Park, Knutsford. National Trust Property. tel 01565 754822. - THE COMPLETE COUNTRY ESTATE. Magnificent Mansion, Historic Old Hall, Glorious Gardens, Home Farm, Meres and Deer Parkland.