Things to do in Cheshire

The tour leaves Manchester in the morning and heads straight for the border of Wales. Conwy is the first stop of the day, one of the most picture-perfect harbor towns in the world. Here you can see a castle perched by the sea, the world's smallest house, and lots of cute restaurants serving up the best fish and chips. Venture along the winding, scenic roads of the Snowdonia National Park before arriving in Betws-Y-Coed. This quaint town is known as the gateway to Snowdonia and is famous for its alpine trees and cozy cafes. Chester is your next stop. This is one of England’s most historic towns and there is plenty to do here. It's advised to go straight to the ancient cathedral and learn about its remarkable past.

From the moorings at The Groves, Chester, you will head upstream under the Queen's Park Suspension Bridge and past the city's rowing clubs. You will then follow the sweeping bend of the Earl's Eye, passing some stunning riverside properties, and turn around at the city limits. On the return journey, the commentary details the history behind some of the more interesting riverside buildings, and the city's rich Roman, Medieval, and industrial heritage. The cruises will then finish with a great view of Chester Weir and the Old Dee Bridge, before disembarking back at The Groves.

No city in Britain is richer in terms of archaeological and architectural treasures than Chester, the Walled City on the River Dee. The City Sightseeing Chester Open Top Bus Tour will introduce you to the City Walls, the Cathedral, Roman Amphitheatre and much, much more. Discover how Chester has survived and prospered through the ebb and flow of history as you are transported around the city. Just as Chester's history has been linked with the River Dee, so it is with the Chester Tour. The bus crosses the Dee by both the Grosvenor and Old Dee Bridges and at The Groves provides a convenient connection with the river cruises operated by Bithell's Boats. The tour operates on a hop-on hop-off basis and your ticket is valid for 24 hours allowing you to stop off and visit any of the attractions on route.  Route • Chester Bus Interchange • Foregate Street - The Old Queen's Head • City Road - opposite the Premier Inn • Chester Railway Station - outside Town Crier Pub • St John the Baptist Church • The Groves • Pepper Street - Grosvenor Shopping Precinct • Grosvenor Street - Grosvenor Museum • Handbridge - St May's Church • Lower Bridge Street • Nicholas Street • Chester Racecourse - outside Holiday Inn Express

Embark on a self-guided treasure hunt for a fun and unique way to explore Chester. Receive messages to a phone from Captain Bess, a snarky pirate testing out new recruits to join her ship. Travel Captain Bess's carefully designed route through the city. Follow the treasure maps to get to the right place, then try to decipher the clue. Search high and low for the answer and see hidden sights usually missed by tourists. Ask for a hint to continue the journey through the city if the clues get too tough. Start at the front of Chester Town Hall and sneak through tiny alleys and Victorian streets, passing the peaceful riverside and Roman ruins. Learn interesting facts and hear stories along the way about the sights along Bess's route and get a better understanding of the history of Chester. Get ready to explore Chester in a new way through this fun and interactive treasure hunt.

Travel in air-conditioned comfort from Liverpool's Port passing under your ship as you cross the Mersey River. This fully narrated day tour will travel through the area known as the Wirral before cutting across the border into Wales where you will see your first glimpse of a castle or two as you make your way to Conwy. Arriving in Conwy, you will have free time to explore this beautiful and popular town, maybe go into the castle and listen out for the voices of those past in the narrow stairways that lead up to the top of the turrets. Or take a walk on the towns defensive wall to get another view of one of the finest examples of a Medieval Castle anywhere in the world. Moving on, head into the National Park known as Snowdonia where you can stretch your legs and build up an appetite for lunch as you walk into the Valley. Maybe even take a short hike up to where the water cascade over the rocks fed by the lake high in the mountains? Lunch time in Betws-Y-Coed offers a number of choices from fast food to table service and pub food (for that sneaky pint of Welsh Beer!). Take a short walk to visit the little 14th Century Chapel that gave name to the town surrounded by a small wood. Some of the trees are over a 1000 years old! Finally, you will need to find a little bit of courage as you walk across the sky at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct also known as "the stream in the sky". This superb piece of industrial engineering was constructed over 200-years ago and crosses the gorge that was cut out by the Dee River, 1000's of years ago. Finally, you will be whisked back to port, your head full of the stories that you heard throughout the day and your camera memory cards crammed with photos that you will look back on in future years with great fondness.

The award-winning TV crime drama Peaky Blinders follows the exploits of the Shelby family, better known as the Peaky Blinders gang. The first series of the show is set in Birmingham in 1919, shortly after World War I, and has primarily been filmed in Liverpool, and various other locations throughout the North West of England. Departing from Liverpool, the day tour will visit sites in Port Ellesmere, Cheshire, and Manchester. Explore iconic film locations used in all 6 seasons of the show. Fans will have the opportunity to see the settings up close and hear anecdotes about the making of the show. On an 8-hour guided bus tour, delve into the history of the real Peaky Blinders, learn about the locations used in North West England, and explore the church where Tommy marries Grace from season 3. You will visit more than 10 locations which featured numerous scenes in the show and may be surprised to find how many seemingly different scenes were filmed in the same place.

Leaving Chester, the majestic Snowdonia National Park will open up as you travel across a stunning mountain road with a stop at Llyn Ogwen, a beautiful lake with amazing mountain views. Rumored to be the final resting place of King Arthur's sword Excalibur. Proceed towards the honeypot village of Betws-y-Coed. You will have time here to find some lunch and explore this beautiful place. After Betws-y-Coed, head to Great Orme, a giant limestone headland. See the historic seafront with its 19th-century pier and take in fantastic views of Anglesey and Snowdonia. Continue towards Llandudno on the North Wales Coast. Along the way look out for great sea views, as you head along the main coastal road.  Leaving Llandudno you will get your first glimpse of the world famous Conwy Castle. The final stop before the return to Chester will be at Conwy where there will be an opportunity to take in views and photograph the famous castle. After leaving Conwy the tour returns back to Chester.

Leaving Chester 3 times a week, this tour heads approximately 2 hours North to the Lake District via the M6 Motorway.  Your driver and guide will take you to the medieval village of Hawkshead, famous for its connection with Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Have time here to explore the cobbled alleys and get something to eat, wandering through shops, cafés, galleries, and so much more. It's a beautiful village, and a definite highlight of the tour. William Wordsworth's old Grammar School can also be found here, along with St. Michael and All Angels Church, which overlooks the village of Hawkshead. Explore some of the Lake District's most incredibly beautiful spots as you travel towards and through the Langdale Valley. When your Lake District tour comes to an end, you will be transported back to Chester.

You will be met by a representative of the local partner at Liverpool Cruise Terminal and shown to your vehicle that will transport you under the River Mersey, passing beneath your ship on the 45-minute short hop to Chester. Upon arrival, you will have a fully guided tour of Chester taking in the site of a Roman Amphitheatre, Norman Era Defensive Walls, views of the River Dee which gave Chester its means of trade with the rest of the world hundreds of years ago before passing by buildings dating back to the Tudor and Georgian era with Victorian architecture mixed in for good measure. You will see the famous Rows which is Chester's unique shopping experience before finally reaching the centre of the City - Chester Cross. From here you will have free time to wander the streets of this historic City and sample some of the flavours that makes Cheshire so loved by many, including Cheshire Cheese and local Ales. Finally, with bags laden with souvenirs (and some delicacies picked up at the various food stores) you will be transported back to the Port in Liverpool. If time allows, you may even get to meet the Fab Four before being dropped back at the Cruise Terminal

Get a taste of Yorkshire on a full-day minibus tour from Chester. Explore the county's history and cuisine, admire feats of Victorian engineering, and see the picturesque Hardraw Force waterfall. After a partially-narrated 2-hour journey, arrive in Haworth to discover the stories of the Bronte Sisters — Anne, Charlotte, and Emily. From there, head to the stunning limestone feature of Malham Cove, formed by melt-water from glaciers over 12,000 years ago. See the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering, and take a stroll to get a closer look at its 1.5 million bricks. A stop at the must-visit Wensleydale Creamery follows. Sample some of its famous cheeses, made originally by Cistercian Monks. Next, visit the pretty village of Hawes, a honeypot boasting shops, cafes, pubs, and locals sipping John Smith's while munching a Yorkshire Pudding. Once you have explored Hawes, head to Hardraw Force, the UK's highest single-drop waterfall, which is over 100 feet tall. Enjoy the splash pool and the breathtaking natural “amphitheater” before beginning your journey back to Chester.