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From Pottery to Paddleboarding: 22 Cheshire Experiences to Try This Year

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From Pottery to Paddleboarding: 22 Cheshire Experiences to Try This Year

Forget the usual New Year’s resolutions - the diets, step goals, and self-improvement plans can wait. 2026 is your year to try something new, something joyful, and something a little more Cheshire. From pottery to paddleboarding, forest bathing to foraging, our county is bursting with experiences to spark your creativity, boost your wellbeing, and reconnect you with nature, heritage, and community.

So, instead of vowing to give things up this January, why not add a few new adventures to your list? Here are 22 new hobbies and experiences to discover across Cheshire in 2026.

Pottery Painting at Pictura Chester

Unleash your inner artist at this Eastgate Row gem, where you can paint bisque pottery pieces to keep forever, think mugs, ornaments, or quirky figurines. Ideal for a solo unwind or a girls' night out.

Get creative

A Brewery Experience Day at Brewhouse & Kitchen, Chester

Don your apron and brew your own beer like a pro in a full-day masterclass. Taste, learn, and take home your golden creation, cheers to newfound hop mastery!

Try it now

Fused Glass Workshops at Deva Glass, Chester

Melt glass into stunning jewellery, coasters, or ornaments in a kiln-firing session. Watch your colourful designs transform, pure magic for craft lovers.

Join the fun

A Gin Masterclass at Providence Gin, Chester

Mix, shake, and sip custom G&Ts while uncovering distilling secrets, then share a delicious artisan board of charcuterie, cheese, and pâté as you savour your creations.

Book your spot

Pottery Wheel Tasters at The Art School Chester

Pretend you are on Channel 4's ' Pottery Throwdown' during this 90-minute wheel-throwing taster session. Discover the magic of pottery and leave with a beautifully fired keepsake.

Unleash your creativity

Animal Encounters at Chester Zoo

Get up close to some of the zoo’s most incredible animals and plants as expert keepers guide you through their daily routines. From feeding penguins to coming face-to-face with a giraffe, there’s something for every animal lover.

Embark on an adventure

Wine and Nibbles Tasting at Veeno

Swirl, sniff, and savour delicious Italian wines paired with various cheeses in this relaxed tasting session. Your palate will thank you!

Taste it yourself

Cheese and Wine Pairing at Pickles Chester

Nibble artisanal cheeses with perfectly matched wines in ticketed tastings, a dream for foodies.

Book your tasting

Paint and Sip at The Paint Republic

Brush up on acrylics while sipping prosecco, recreate masterpieces step-by-step. No talent required, just good vibes.

Get started

Cocktail Masterclasses at Kuckoo, Red Door, Slug & Lettuce, or Be At One

These DIY cocktail-making masterclasses are high-energy, hands-on fun for everyone. Let one of the experienced mixologists guide you through shaking up your favourite cocktails.

Kuckoo  Red Door   Slug and Lettuce  Be at One  Shrub

Oil Painting at Cheshire Art Classes, Farndon

Unlock your inner artist as you dab oils on canvas amid Cheshire countryside views. Landscapes or abstracts, find your flow in this serene studio.

Get creative

Craft Courses at Hobbycraft

Try your hand at macramé, candle-making, or felting in hands-on workshops. Stock up on supplies and craft like a pro.

Start crafting

Falconry at Cheshire Falconry

Pull on a gauntlet and get hands-on with magnificent birds of prey in a range of incredible flying experiences. Expert falconers guide you as you fly awe-inspiring birds across open countryside.

Embark on an adventure

Guided Walks of Chester

Brush up on your history or add a little mystery on one of the many themed walking tours in Chester, perfect for igniting that new hobby spark with a dash of adventure. Explore over 2,000 years of Roman, medieval, and Victorian tales, including the darker side of the city.

Learn more

Axe Throwing at AxHaus

For axe-enthusiasts and bratwurst lovers alike, this is the ultimate spot for a blend of axe throwing, authentic German surroundings, and hearty food, a unique experience you don’t want to miss!

Join the fun

Pottery Tasters at The Pottery Rooms

Throw pots or hand-build in this cosy studio. Messy fun leads to glazed treasures you craft yourself and take home to keep forever.

Start crafting

Gin Tasting and Distillery Tours

Tour distilleries, blend botanicals, and taste small-batch gins. At Forest Distillery, discover how they create their award-winning gin at Cheshire’s highest altitude distillery, and enjoy a neat tasting along the way.

At Three Wrens Distillery, you’ll be welcomed with a signature cocktail before settling in for a relaxed tasting experience. Sample six award-winning gins, explore the botanicals that make each one unique, and hear the fascinating story behind this Cheshire favourite. With expert guidance from the distiller, a scenic setting, and plenty of time to sip, savour and share, it’s the perfect experience for friends or couples.

Paddle Boarding on the Dee

From stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking tours in Chester to thrilling white-water adventures, Paddle the Dee has something for everyone. You can even book a private guided trip for a larger group or a more personal experience.

Experience it here

Wellness Sessions at The Farm Club

Try yoga, breathwork, or farm-fresh sound baths amid lush fields, the perfect countryside escape to rejuvenate body and soul.

Try it now

Pottery Painting at Woodland Creative

Decorate ceramics in this family-run pottery painting studio. Whether it’s a coffee catch-up with friends, family time, or a peaceful solo moment, there’s always a seat waiting for you. No need to be good at art, it’s all about the joy of creating something uniquely yours in a friendly, supportive space.

Join the fun

Shark Dives at Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port

Step into an experience that few people on Earth will ever encounter – an unforgettable, cage-free dive with some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring predators.

Dive in

Tee off at GreenDay Cafe and Golf

GreenDay Café and Golf lies within the beautiful surroundings of Westminster Park, just a mile from the centre of Chester, and offers a fun day out with friends and family.

There is a relaxed and friendly café serving a range of food and drinks , a large outdoor terrace which overlooks our Mini Golf Course (Adventure Golf), and a 9-hole Par 3 Golf/Footgolf Course just a short walk away.

Tee off

Why wait? Cheshire’s 2026 lineup turns “new year, new me” into “new year, new hobby heaven.”


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