Macclesfield (pop. 147,000) is located on the Bollin River 17mi/27km south of Manchester. At one time the town was a major center of silk manufacture and Macclesfield hosts a museum highlighting the history of the silk industry.
Hare Hill is a National Trust property located near Macclesfield. The site includes a walled garden with pergola, rhododendrons and azaleas as well as extensive parkland.
Address: Hare Hill, Over Alderley, Macclesfield SK10 4QB, England
Hours:
March 22 to May 11: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Fri
May 12 to June 1: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Fri
June 2 to October 30: 10am-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Fri, Mon, Tue, Fri
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Tips: No dogs in garden. Last admission 1hr before closing.
Parking: Pay
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Wheelchair loan or rental
Transit: Bus: Arriva North Midlands 287 at Greyhound Road
The world-famous Lovell telescope, a giant dish 76 meters in diameter and built in 1957, was the world's largest steerable radio telescope until 1971. It is on display at the Jodrell Bank Science Centre which is part of the Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories.
Interactive displays on astronomy, space, energy and satellites. Planetarium shows. Arboretum.
Address: Jodrell Bank Science Centre & Arboretum, Lower Withington, Macclesfield SK11 9DL, England
Hours:
10:30am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Tips: Last admission 1 hr before closing.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Knutsford (pop. 13,675) is located 13mi/21km southwest of Manchester. The town is noted as a popular eating out destination due to the plenty of restaurants available. It is the 'Cranford' of Elizabeth Gaskell, the English novelist.
Tatton Park is one of Northern England's most popular historic attractions. It features a 1930s working farm, a medieval old hall and a magnificent mansion. The deer park is set in 1,000 acres of parkland containing two lakes.
Address: Tatton Park, Knutsford WA16 6QN, England
Hours:
March 15 to September 28: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Tips: Opening hours are for mansion only: gardens open all year 10:00-6 p.m. (Mar-Sep); 11-4 p.m. (Oct-Mar). Call for admission prices.
Parking: Pay
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Macclesfield Silk Museum is small but delightful and is housed in a former silk weaving factory. This area was famous for silk production from the late 18th C to World War II.
Address: Macclesfield Silk Museum, Park Lane, Macclesfield SK11 6TJ, England
Hours:
March 22 to October 31: 11am-5pm; Sun:12pm-4pm
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Combination ticket available to include West Park Museum and Paradise Mill.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.