Cheshire - East
Macclesfield Silk Museum
Cheshire East is a unitary authority for Cheshire and the principal towns within it are Congleton, Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Nantwich, Sandbach and Wilmslow. There are a wide range of visitor attractions to visit that can cater for all tastes including important heritage sites, beautiful gardens, an open air theatre and opportunities for all the family to discover about science and the natural world.
It's diverse and picturesque landscape from Macclesfield Forest bordering the Peak District through the Sandstone Escarpment of Alderley Edge down to the meadows and meres on the Cheshire Plain offers visitors stunning views and excellent opportunities to enjoy different aspects of its own unique countryside features.
Shopmobility:-
There are shopmobility schemes at Crewe, Macclesfield, Nantwich and Wilmslow.
Crewe ( CW1 2PT ) operates from
Victoria Car Park, adjacent to Asda in Victoria Street
Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm telephone :-
01270 580 031
Macclesfield ( SK11 6AY ) operates from Great King Street
Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm and Saturday 9.30am - 3.00pm telephone :- 01625 613111
Nantwich ( CW5 5DG ) operates from Nantwich Civic Hall (must be booked 24 hrs in advance)
Monday to Friday 10am - 4.00pm and Saturday 10am - 12pm telephone :- 01270 537358
Wilmslow ( SK10 1BU ) operates from Wilmslow Information Centre
Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm and Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm telephone :- 01625 522275
For attractions to visit please read on and for accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page
Visitor Attractions
Quarry Bank Mill
Quarry Bank Mill
Quarry Bank Mill at Styall is a National Trust property and a great deal of effort has been made to ensure that although this is a heritage site with steps and uneven surfaces there is a good visitor experience for everyone. Wheelchair users and visitors with more limited mobility can access three floors of the mill through alternative entrances and a wheelchair lift.
The working cotton looms
A motorised buggy is available for loan to use in the gardens and a shuttle bus with wheelchair access is available to transport visitors to and from the car park and to the newly opened Apprentice House. There is a restaurant and shop as well as a designated toilet facility. There is a great deal to see and do at this attraction and visitors will need to leave sufficient time for a visit to be able to explore it fully.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Tatton Park
The Mansion
Tatton Park is located near Knutsford and the 18th century Mansion is set within 50 acres of beautiful gardens surrounded by landscaped parkland. The Old Hall dates from medieval times however the Egerton family family built a new hall at the beginning of the 18th century, which was extensively remodelled between 1780 and 1813. As the family grew in status over the rest of the century and into the 19th century, the new Mansion at Tatton became richly furnished. The collections of paintings and in particular the vast library of books are an important part of the visitor experience.
Exploring the Water Gardens
There is an alternative entrance to the Mansion for visitors with more limited mobility via a garden gate and a ramp, which also affords great views over the sunken garden towards the Meres. Access around the ground floor is good and a stair climber has been provided to assist visitors who cannot use the stairs to be able to view the upper floor but please note that pre-booking is essential.
The main pathways through the gardens are well surfaced however as it is a naturally sloping site and there is loose gravel in places, manual wheelchair users may find they require some assistance.
There is a selection of shops selling gifts, plants and local produce, designated toilets and a restaurant in the stableyard near the entrance. The Kitchen Garden and the Fernery are also wheelchair accessible and visitors will need to allow a whole day to explore this attraction fully.
In addition within the park are The Old Hall, Tatton Mere and the Farm which our researchers were not able to visit on this occasion.
At various points in the year there are exhibitions and events which are detailed on their website.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Arley Hall and Gardens
Arley Hall
Arley Hall near Northwich has been the home of the present incumbent's family for over 550 years and is one of Cheshire's 'Gardens of Distinction'. It is most famous for its original herbaceous borders and the rose garden. It is a large site with good wheelchair access to the majority of the gardens, the chapel and the ground floor of the hall.
The decorative fountain in the garden
There is a restaurant, shop and plant nursery adjacent to the entrance and there is a motorised buggy or manual wheelchair available to loan for visitors with more limited mobility.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Silk Museum Heritage Centre
The Silk Museum Heritage Centre
The Silk Museum in Macclesfield is housed on three different sites within walking/wheeling distance of each other. The Heritage Centre gives an in depth history of silk production in the town including a video presentation. Please note access to the video theatre and displays on the lower ground floor is via a stair lift.
The Video Theatre
Silk products are still being manufactured in Macclesfield and visitors can also peruse a selection of silk scarves and ties on display in the gift shop or enjoy some refreshment in the excellent Mulberry Tree tearooms.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Silk Industrial Museum
The Silk Industrial Museum
The Industrial Museum is only a short distance from the heritage centre but please note there is a steep incline on the return journey alternatively there is on-street parking near the entrance for blue badge holders.
The Industrial Museum is housed in the former Macclesfield School of art and houses an extension collection of costumes, pattern books and samples of silk designs. Wheelchair access to the upper galleries is via a lift.
One of several interactive exhibits
Also on display are silk worms and moths and visitors can learn how they are raised and the silk is harvested to produce the raw product for the cloth. From here the tour guide will escort you to the adjacent Paradise Mill to see the working looms.
Paradise Mill
The working floor of the mill is accessed via a lift which is operated by the tour guide. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is extremely informative but spaces are limited so pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
West Park Museum
The ramped entrance into West Park Museum
West Park Museum is situated within West Park and was gifted to the town of Macclesfield by Marianne Brocklehurst. It houses a wide variety of artwork and exhibits, including a collection of paintings by the locally born, wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe.
West Park
The fine display of Egyptian artefacts were collected by the benefactor during her travels abroad between 1873 and 1891.
N.B. There is parking within the park and adjacent to the entrance for blue badge holders (accessed off of the B5087). There are no designated toilets at the museum but there are some in the park by the cafe.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre
Jodrell Bank Entrance
Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre is an all weather family attraction. Where visitors can find out all about the workings of Jodrell Bank, get up close to the world famous Lovell telescope (which has been a striking feature of this part of the Cheshire landscape since 1957) or find answers to the wonders of the Universe in the interactive exhibit.
Our researchers checking out the new fully accessible pathways in Jodrells grounds
Visitors can also spend time exploring the 35 acres of gardens featuring excellent specimens of rare species which is home to a picnic and playground area with great views of the Lovell telescope and a fully accessible pathway. Their cafe offers a selection of homemade seasonal food using local ingredients and also welcomes non ticket paying guests.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Gawsworth Hall
The garden at Gawsworth Hall
Gawsworth Hall near Macclesfield is an ancient manor house dating back to the 14th century and that is still privately owned. Due to the historic nature of the house, disabled access is limited to people with more ambulant disabilities.
The viewing point for the open air theatre for wheelchair users
However throughout the summer months Gawsworth has a very diverse programme of events staged at its open air theatre in the beautiful garden. Wheelchair users and other people with disabilities have good access to viewing points (see photo) and seating for the performances.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website where you can see a programme of performances and booking information please click here.
Nantwich Museum
Nantwich Museum
The Museum is located in Pillory Street in the former Public Library which stood on the site of a gaol. It gives an in depth insight into the history of the town and some of its more famous inhabitants.
The Pillory sited opposite the Museum
There is a good interactive element to the museums exhibits and visitors with cognitive or sensory impairment might find this particulary suitable. A diverse programme of temporary exhibitions are displayed in the millennium gallery.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Bridgemere Garden World
Part of the gardens at Bridgemere
Bridgemere Garden World which is part of the Wyevale group is situated near Woore. As well as an extensively stocked plant nursery there is a six acre garden which gives visitors ideas for design and planting schemes.
The garden furniture section of the shop
Also on site is a large shopping area, a restaurant, a cafe, several independent stores and designated parking adjacent to the entrance.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
There are also four trails included for Cheshire East on our accessible trails page :- The Brimstone Trail at Brereton Heath Nature Reserve, Macclesfield Forest, The Salt Line, The Wizard Trail at Alderley Edge and Astbury Mere Country Park.
PLACES TO STAY
Kerridge End
The Hayloft at Kerridge End
Kerridge End Cottages are situated at Rainow near Macclesfield deep in beautiful countryside bordering the Peak District. There are 3 cottages on site and the Hayloft has 3 bedrooms which include an accessible twin room with en-suite wetroom.
Our researcher trying out the dining area
The Hayloft has been specifically designed to provide both accessibility and an enjoyable and comfortable stay. It is conveniently situated not only for exploring Cheshire but also the nearby Peak District.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Common Barn Farm B&B
The farm set in stunning countryside
Common Barn Farm is situated to the north east of Macclesfield in a peaceful setting down country lanes with outstanding views over the surrounding countryside. It has five Bed and Breakfast rooms, one room with an en suite wet- room is suitable for guests with limited mobility.
The accessible bedroom
Guests also have use of a sunny lounge and breakfast is served in the farm's pleasant tearoom. The farm would make a good base for exploring the rest of Cheshire and the Peak District.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
Strawberry Duck Cottage
Strawberry Duck Cottage is situated in the grounds of Bryher Cottage at Bosley within short driving distance of Macclesfield and Congleton in Cheshire. It is well placed as a base for exploring the East Cheshire Countryside and the nearby Peak District.
The cottage is all on level and can sleep up to four people with a twin bedded room and a double bed settee in the lounge. There is an outside eating area and guests with some ambulant ability can also enjoy a decked area overlooking the pond in the grounds.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
The Shippon - Acorn Cottages
Acorn cottages
Acorn Cottages are two self catering cottages set on a working farm in the beautiful Cheshire countryside near Congleton. One of these is The Shippon which attractively retains many of the features of it's former life and offers a ground floor twin bedroom and a galleried double bedroom upstairs.
The ground floor bedroom
There is a good sized wet-room in the cottage, with a portable shower chair available for guests use if required. The cottage would make a good base for exploring the Cheshire countryside and attractions locally or further afield.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
New Farm B&B
New Farm
New Farm B&B is situated on a former farm at Wettenhall near Tarporley. It has five rooms including one accessible room with an en-suite wetroom. Breakfast is served in the adjacent dining room.
The accessible bedroom
There are several coarse fishing pools on site, one of which has level access from the adjacent touring caravan pitch and a second can be accessed via a short coarsely gravelled ramp from its own car park.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
Ramada Encore Crewe
Ramada Encore Crewe
The Ramada Encore Crewe is conveniently situated for guests who wish to explore this area of Cheshire. Manchester, Liverpool, North Wales and Staffordshire are also all within easy driving distance.
One of the accessible bedrooms
There are four accessible double rooms with en-suite wet-rooms on the upper floors of the hotel , two have adjoining rooms for family members/carers if required.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
The Quality Crewe Arms Hotel
The Crewe Arms Hotel
The hotel is conveniently situated across the road from Crewe Railway Station and within wheeling distance of the main shopping area. It could make an ideal base to explore Chester and the rest of Cheshire.
The lounge
The hotel has one ground floor accessible room with an en-suite wet-room and is within easy reach of the breakfast room/restaurant and lounge.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here
Mill Covert B&B
Mill Covert
Mill Covert is set in a peaceful location off a country lane in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. This extremely attractive property has one fully accessible ground floor room and a second ground floor room which may be suitable for ambulant guests with limited mobility. There are also two further rooms upstairs.
The Breakfast Room
The property has been specifically designed to provide both accessibility and high specification and the accessible room's spacious en-suite has both a level access shower and a whirlpool bath.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here