Your guide to a weekend in Delamere: forests, water, wildlife and hidden gems

Cheshire's largest area of ancient woodland sits waiting to be explored, and with Delamere station right on the edge of the forest, you don't even need a car to get here. Hop on a Northern train from Manchester Piccadilly (approximately 70 minutes) or Chester (approximately 15 minutes), step off the platform, and within five minutes you're surrounded by pine, oak and birch stretching in every direction. But Delamere is just the beginning. The area around the forest is packed with brilliant things to see and do, from open water adventures to Victorian industrial heritage, hidden gardens and some of the best food and drink in the county. Here's how to make the most of a weekend.

Start in the trees

There is no better way to begin than by heading straight into the forest. Delamere Forest is your go-to green space, just a short trip from Manchester or Liverpool, where you can step off the train and straight into fresh air, towering trees and wide-open trails. Pick up a trail map from the Visitor Welcome Point and set your own pace, keeping an eye out for greater spotted woodpeckers, southern hawker dragonflies and small tortoiseshell butterflies along the way.

Families with younger children will want to grab a Room on the Broom trail pack while they're at the Welcome Point, available for just £4. This accessible, interactive mile-long trail winds through the forest, sending little ones on a mission to help Witch find her lost hat, bow and wand and gather the ingredients for her spell, all while keeping a close eye out for Dragon. Trail packs include a lanyard, sticker cards and a craft activity, and there's a photo opportunity with Witch and her friends at the end to round off the adventure.

Go Ape: take the adventure higher

Once the trails are done, it's time to take things upwards. Go Ape at Delamere has something for every level of daring. Younger or newer adventurers can start with the entry-level Treetop Adventure before stepping up the thrills with Treetop Adventure Plus. Older kids, teens and adults can take on the full Treetop Challenge, 12 metres up into the canopy with daring obstacles, rope bridges and swooping zip lines. Advance booking is recommended, particularly at weekends.

Refuel at the Delamere Forest Cafe

After a morning in the trees, the family-run Delamere Forest Cafe is the obvious next stop. Serving freshly made hot and cold food throughout the day, with coffee roasted on the Wirral and a wood-fired pizza van that makes staying for lunch a very easy decision.

Blakemere Village and Cheshire Outdoors

A short drive or taxi ride from the forest, Blakemere Village has been entertaining families for over three decades and offers over 20 shops, 100 independent retailers, 15 family fun activities and five bars and eateries, with something for everyone whatever the weather. Entry is free, and the range of things to do is genuinely impressive.

Cheshire Outdoors runs the outdoor activities at Blakemere, and they are well worth booking in advance. Whether you're looking for the thrill of a Woodland Glide on the Segways, testing your skills with archery and air rifles, or being amazed by a hands-on birds of prey encounter, it's all here. The Woodland Glide Segway takes riders out on guided, all-terrain sessions through the woodland tracks, while Cheshire Falconry's flying displays and aviary experiences are a real highlight for younger visitors. For those who want the full experience, the Multi Activity Package combines falconry, a target combination and a Segway session into one memorable afternoon. Axe throwing and low ropes round out an activity offering that covers pretty much every base.

Get on the water: Wild Shore Delamere

If the forest has got you in an adventurous mood, Wild Shore Delamere takes things in an entirely different direction. Nestled by a stunning lake in rural Cheshire, Wild Shore is a water-based adventure hub offering wakeboarding, an Aqua Park obstacle course, stand-up paddleboarding and open water swimming, with something for all ages and abilities. The 2026 season brings a reimagined wakeboarding programme, including the new RiDE Session for those wanting a coached 15-minute set on the water, and a Learn 2 RiDE session for complete beginners that includes 45 minutes of guided instruction from a qualified coach. Wild Shore Delamere was awarded the Gold Accolade in the Visit England Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme following the 2025 season, and it is easy to see why. All kit is included in the price. Booking ahead is strongly recommended.

A hidden gem: Abbeywood Gardens

Sitting directly opposite Delamere Forest on the A556, Abbeywood Gardens is the kind of place that rewards those who seek it out. The 45-acre estate includes six acres of informal and formal gardens, a 1.2-mile wildlife walk through 27 acres of mature and newly planted woodland, and a young seven-acre arboretum featuring rare deciduous and evergreen tree species, all set against the backdrop of the Utkinton Hills. The Garden Cafe serves quality homegrown and locally sourced food in a beautifully relaxed setting, from a morning coffee to a full three-course lunch in the orangery. It is a quieter, more contemplative experience than the activities on offer elsewhere in the area, and all the more welcome for it. The cafe and gardens are open Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and closed on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan your visit accordingly.

Lion Salt Works, Northwich

A short drive from Delamere, the Lion Salt Works in the village of Marston is one of the finest and most underrated heritage attractions in Cheshire. It tells the story of the country's last open-pan salt-making site, with exhibitions, photography, and interactive displays that engage visitors of all ages. When exploring the site and its restored buildings, you discover how the works operated until 1986, the impact of salt on mid-Cheshire's people, transport, economy and landscape, and its wider global connections. There's a butterfly garden, a children's play area and a good cafe on site, and the location beside the Trent and Mersey Canal means it connects naturally to the Anderton Boat Lift for a brilliant full day of heritage exploration. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5pm.

Eat, drink and stay a little longer

When it comes to food and drink, the area around Delamere punches well above its weight. The Hollies Farm Shop at Little Budworth, just a few minutes from the forest, is one of the finest farm shops in the North West, with a butchery, deli, fresh fish counter and a cafe serving food made with produce from over 70 local suppliers. For something more relaxed at the end of a long day, look no further than The Fishpool Inn. This characterful 18th-century gastro pub on the edge of the forest was recently crowned Cheshire's Pub of the Year at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2026, and one visit makes it easy to understand why. Real ales, fine wines and hearty food made from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, with an outdoor terrace that is particularly lovely in the warmer months.

Stay in the forest

For those who want to make a full weekend of it, the Delamere area has some outstanding places to stay, each with its own character.

Forest Holidays lodges within Delamere Forest itself offer beautifully appointed, back-to-nature cabins with the trees on your doorstep from the moment you wake up. At Blakemere, the Hideaways glamping retreat is a luxury five-star escape nestled in a hidden clearing, with twelve lodges, all with ensuite bathrooms and private hot tubs set on their own decked gardens.

For something a little more secluded, The Hollies Forest Lodges offer five individually designed four and five-star luxury lodges set deep in the Cheshire countryside, each equipped with a private hot tub, a fully fitted kitchen, generous open living spaces and thoughtfully designed bathrooms. Just a short stroll from the lodges, The Hollies Farm Shop and cafe provide everything you need, whether that's picking up fresh local produce to cook in your own kitchen or simply settling in for a farm-fresh dinner without leaving the site. It is the kind of place that suits couples looking for a romantic retreat just as well as families wanting space and comfort in equal measure.

All three are the kind of places that make it very difficult to leave when the weekend comes to an end.

One more thing

Each summer, Delamere Forest plays host to Forest Live, a series of open-air evening concerts that bring major artists to the woodland for one of the most atmospheric live music experiences in the North West. This year, you will be able to see McFly, UB40 and The Kooks, to name a few, take to the stage under the canopy. Book early, because these sell out quickly.

Getting here by train: Delamere Forest is served by Delamere station on the Northern network, with regular services from Manchester Piccadilly (approx. 70 mins) and Chester (approx. 15 mins). Visitors arriving by train or bike receive free forest admission. Blakemere Village, Wild Shore, Abbeywood Gardens, Lion Salt Works, The Hollies and The Fishpool Inn are best reached by car or taxi from the station.