Here are some great summer holiday family activities to enjoy in Cheshire

While Covid restrictions have eased in comparison to last year, many families will be looking closer to home to keep themselves entertained throughout the school holidays, with foreign travel at the mercy of a fluctuating traffic light alert system.

Fortunately, here in Cheshire there is plenty to keep everyone of all ages occupied throughout the summer months.

Here's a guide to some of the must-see attractions, as curated by Visit Cheshire.

• Forest holidays at Delamere Forest

The White Willow Premium Cabin at Delamere Forest by Forest Holidays.

Forest Holidays has opened its latest location in the medieval hunting grounds of Delamere Forest. Yet, this new cluster of light-footprint cabins is thoroughly 21st century, a luxurious take on outdoor living, with treehouses, pizza ovens and hot tubs to book. Go to www.forestholidays.co.uk.

• Bewilderwood Cheshire

BeWILDerwood. Picture: Andrew Kahumbu

Just like the well-loved Norfolk original, there are Wobbly Wires, Slippery Slopes, Crocklebogs and more to explore at BeWILDerwood in Cheshire, which is the latest location for the award-winning forest of family outdoor adventures. Go to https://cheshire.bewilderwood.co.uk.

• Latin American wetland aviary at Chester Zoo

The new Latin American wetland aviary at Chester Zoo.

As Chester Zoo turns 90, it’s hosting an exhibition that’s utter rubbish. Britain’s best-loved zoo plans to be zero-waste by 2030; cue Love It For Longer, a sustainability spectacular all about trash, from plastic to poo. Check out the new Latin American Wetland Aviary, too. Go to www.chesterzoo.org.

• Vertigo at Carden Park

Vertigo at Carden Park.

Adrenaline-fuelled thrills are guaranteed at new aerial adventure Vertigo at Carden, where the fearless can challenge themselves on a new course including 10 mid-air obstacles, a 210-metre zipline, and a 10-metre free-fall drop (cushioned, of course, by a giant stunt pillow). Go to www.cardenpark.co.uk.

• ‘Making tracks’ at Chester Cathedral

Pete Waterman OBE and the builders of ‘Leamington Spa’ are behind the “Making Tracks” model railway event in Chester Cathedral, 16 July-3 Sept. It will demonstrate the West Coast Mainline, a 74ft OO model featuring the work of local boy and railway engineer Thomas Brassey. Go to https://chestercathedral.com.

• Soapworks at Port Sunlight

Soapworks at Port Sunlight.

Soap is the subject of a playful interactive experience, SoapWorks, just open at Port Sunlight, the historic workers village for the Sunlight factory on Wirral. There’s also a gigantic new art installation, “Box Room”, to see, inspired by Sunlight soap’s iconic packaging, 17 July-19 Sept. Go to www.portsunlightvillage.com.

• Just So Festival 2021

Lion family, Just So Festival.

Little imaginations will be fired up at the award-winning family festival Just So at Rode Hall, near Congleton, 20-22 Aug. The creative whirl includes midnight feasts, stories and comedy, giant magpie puppets, a rainbow colour fight, and a circus with a scientific twist. Go to www.justsofestival.org.uk.

• Grosvenor Park Open-Air Theatre 2021

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre: Jungle Book-Suzanne Ahmet as Kaa, Howard Chadwick as Baloo, Purvi Parmar as Mowgli.

Britain’s biggest and best open-air theatre returns to Chester’s Grosvenor Park, until 30 Aug, featuring The Jungle Book, Pride and Prejudice, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Meanwhile, Moonlight Flicks hosts al-fresco movie screenings in Chester, Wirral and Nantwich, including blockbusters, family favourites and cult classics, until 3 Sept. Go to www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk, www.moonlightflicks.co.uk.

• Tatton Park summer festivals

Tatton Foodies Festival. Picture: Foodies Festival.

It’s a hectic time at Tatton Park, which is hosting the Foodies Festival, the UK’s biggest food festival, 9-11 July, the RHS Flower Show, 21-25 July, and Tatton Pop Up Festival, with 52 shows from comedy to live music, until 29 Aug. Go to www.tattonpark.org.uk, https://tattonparkpopupfestival.co.uk, www.rhs.org.uk.

• Family Funday, Chester Races

Chester Racecourse will be hosting its Family Funday.

It’s back to the 1980s at this year’s Family Funday. Big hair and bright colours will be de rigueur at Chester’s Racecourse on 1 Aug, when there’ll be fun games and activities, as well as some thoroughbred four-legged talent to cheer on from the stands. Go to www.chester-races.com.

• Percy the Park Keeper at Tatton Park

Percy the Park Keeper is showing little ones around the gardens and rare breeds farm at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, until 5 Sept. Youngsters can meet animal characters from Nick Butterworth’s popular children’s books, including Percy’s newest friend, Lucy the Calf. Go to www.tattonpark.org.uk.

• Paddleboarding and picnics on the River Dee

Chester Boat is skippering new private picnic trips on the river for up to six passengers.

Kayaking over Chester’s weir and paddleboarding with a view of the Roman Walls feature in two new waterborne tours from Dee River Kayaking. Meanwhile, Chester Boat is skippering new private picnic trips on the river for up to six passengers. Go to www.deeriverkayaking.com, www.chesterboat.co.uk.

Paddleboarding on the River Dee, Chester.

• Knights’ Tournament, Beeston Castle

The Knights' Tournament returns to Beeston Castle. Picture: English Heritage.

The Knights’ Tournament makes a welcome post-lockdown return to Beeston Castle, 28-30 Aug. Flying arrows, clashing swords and the chance to experience life in the Middle Ages are all part of the spectacle at these medieval ruins perched above the Cheshire Plain. Go to www.english-heritage.org.uk.

• Radioactive at Escapism Chester

A nuclear explosion, mutant survivors running rampant, and an antidote for the world that must be saved from a research facility under threat of self-destructing… All the ingredients are in place for a tricky new game in Escapism Chester’s latest room, 'Radioactive'. Go to www.escapismchester.co.uk.

• Bed down at the YHA’s latest hostel

The new YHA Chester Trafford Hall hostel opens on July 30.

Opening 30 July, YHA Chester Trafford Hall is the new affordable base for exploring Chester and the surrounding area. Set on the edge of the city in a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion, surrounded by organic gardens, meadows and woods, it has 53 en-suite bedrooms, sleeping between two and five people, and rooms start at £29 per night. Go to www.yha.org.uk.

• Check out Cheshire’s beauty contestant

The view across Cheshire and neighbouring counties from The Old Pale, Delamere, Cheshire

Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge has just been shortlisted for Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status. Yet this landscape of rolling hills and sandstone escarpments, mosses and meres, with views across the Plain, is ready to enjoy right now. There are walking routes and nature trails to follow, rock sculptures and caves to explore, an ancient forest to play in and historic forts to investigate. Go to www.sandstoneridge.org.uk.

• Taste some (very) bitter medicine

Sick to Death, Chester.

The gory tale of medicine through the ages is told at Sick To Death, a “playground of plague” with the Grim Reaper for a guide. There’s a chance to perform an autopsy, mix powerful potions, and even pay a visit to the world’s only time-travelling toilet – the TURDIS. Go to https://sicktodeath.org.

• Take a front row seat by the catwalk

1910 Edwardian tea dress for the Grosvenor Museum's 'Curated Closet' exhibition.

Vintage fashion from the 20th Century hits the catwalk at the new “Curated Closet” exhibition at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum, 24 July-5 Dec. Plus photos of bridal dresses from the collection will be on show at the Lion Salt Works near Northwich. Go to https://westcheshiremuseums.co.uk.

• Look to the heavens above

Royal Observatory Greenwich's exhibition: Alexandra Hart with her exhibition image at Jodrell Bank.

The very best in astrophotography from around the world is now on display at Jodrell Bank, because the UK’s latest Unesco World Heritage Site is hosting 'Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2020', the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s hugely popular exhibition, until 30 Oct. Go to www.jodrellbank.net.

• Get a flavour of Chester

For a tasty new way to see a different side of the city, Tours Around Chester has launched a Family Foodie Tour of the local independent food-and-drink scene. Plus, four-legged friends can join their owners on its novel sightseeing 5K Dog Run Tour of Chester. Go to www.toursaroundchester.co.uk.