Knutsford Area Guide

Knutsford

For a small town, Knutsford has a big appetite. Knutsford is a thriving market town that is renowned for its array of restaurants, bars and fine food purveyors.

From farmer’s market and butchers selling locally sourced products, to fabulous fishmongers and divine delis, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve died and gone to foodie heaven.

Knutsford has an abundance of independent businesses, and antique dealers and art galleries jostle for space alongside chic homeware stores and contemporary craft shops.

Knutsford’s annual events calendar is filled with festivities to suit all tastes and budgets- from the prestigious RHS Flower Show Tatton Park to street fairs, literature festivals, and more.

Knutsford was also the inspiration and setting for Elizabeth Gaskell's fictional rural market town, Cranford. Visitors can recreate the Victorian experience by joining a guided walk from Knutsford heritage centre to discover the 'real' Cranford.

The Great Outdoors

At the end of King Street in Knutsford is the gateway to Tatton Park , a stunning country estate that boasts three square miles of fabulous parkland. Tatton Park is perfect for a relaxed ramble across its mature woodlands, where you'll spot wild deer herds and an array of flora and fauna.

Knutsford is also perfectly placed for a visit to Cheshire’s Peak District, an area of stunning beauty where sweeping vistas and dramatic skylines nestle alongside independent galleries, bijoux boutiques and cosy country inns.

Food & Drink

Specialist cheeses, farm-raised meats,locally-brewed ales and traditional fruit and vegetables all take pride of place on the menus at Knutsford’s finest restaurants, cafés, farm shops, fine food specialists and visitor attractions.

Historic Houses

19^th century Cheshire was an area of great wealth and power. The riches produced by the silk and cotton industries were invested into gracious country houses, vast parklands and model workers’ villages.

Many of the country houses have fabulously designed grounds that were developed by renowned landscape gardeners over the space of several centuries. These pleasure gardens present a captivating glimpse into the sophisticated horticultural tastes - and fashionable whims - of the original ‘Cheshire set.'

 These extravagant estates were also settings for infamous duels, scandalous love affairs and disastrous bankruptcies – stories that breath life into these impressive houses and make for a fascinating visit.

Industrial Heritage

Knutsford and the surrounding area boasts a rich industrial heritage which is well worth exploring.

The Quarry Bank Mill estate is one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution, and the evocative Victorian apprentice house was home to hundreds of young children who were sent to work in the mill.  Quarry Bank Mill was built by the philanthropist industrialist Samuel Greg, who believed that the working classes should have access to the countryside as well as a means of making a living.

The nearby town of Macclesfield was famous for its silk industry, which prospered during the 1930s. Macclesfield Silk Museums offer visitors a unique, interactive opportunity to discover the story of silk - from cocoon to catwalk. Discover 1930s working life in Paradise Mill, visit the fascinating Heritage Centre and journey through life in ancient Egypt at West Park museum – the museum built by the riches of the silk trade.

Waterways

Canals were the motorways of the Industrial Revolution, and the Cheshire Ring was a 97 mile network of canals across the northwest, designed to transport large amount of raw materials from the ports of Liverpool to the mills of Cheshire and Manchester.  

Wander along a section of the Cheshire Ring and you’ll see working locks, imposing mills and the powerful waterwheels. You'll also see a plethora of wildflowers and birds which now make their home amid the seclusion of these peaceful waterways.

Ten things you didn't know about Knutsford...

·  Knutsford’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it appears as Cunetesford, linking the settlement to the Danish King Canute. In 1017, he reputedly forded the River Lily leading to the creation of Cunetesford.

·  Near the end of the 18th century Lady Jane Stanley, daughter of the 11th Earl of Derby, paid for pavements to be installed in Knutsford.  She was a spinster who disapproved of any contact between men and women, and stipulated that the pavement must be so narrow that people could walk only in single file. These pavements still remain in Knutsford today!

·  Knutsford was the childhood home of the Victorian writer and novelist, Elizabeth Gaskell (1810 – 1865) who immortalised the town in many of her works, particularly Cranford. She is buried in the grounds of Brook Street Unitarian Chapel. The Chapel also has a display devoted to the author.

·  Other infamous residents include “Squire" Higgins, who took residence in Knutsford around 1756. Despite his obscure origins, the Squire was accepted by society as a gentleman appearing to have been of good birth. His acceptance enabled him to become familiar with the layout of the houses of his hosts so that at a later date he was able to sneak back for a spot of burglary.  Local folklore claims 'Highwayman' Higgins had a tunnel running under The Heath to hide his booty.

·  Richard Harding Watt was a wealthy, eccentric glove manufacturer with a love for all things Italian. Watt's unique style influenced the design the Gaskell Tower on King Street and the Italianate villas along Legh Road.

·  America General George Patton was associated with Knutsford in 1944 when he set up HQ at nearby Peover with his troops based at Toft.  He lunched with General Eisenhower at the Bells of Peover, where the table they dined at is still laid with fresh flowers today.

·  George Herbert Leigh Mallory was born in Mobberley, about a  mile from  Knutsford. He took part in the first three British expeditions to conquer Mount Everest in the early 1920s. During the third expedition Mallory and his partner, Irvine, disappeared on the North East Ridge. It is not known if they ever reached the summit.  

·  Knutsford is home to the Millennium Tapestry created by 3,000 members of the local community to mark the new Millenium. Each road, street and lane can be seen on the tapestry along with over 500 everyday scenes.  The three panels measure 12 metres in total, using 53 metres of canvas, 52 miles of wool and 150 needles were used in its creation.

·  The Knutsford Great Race is a penny farthing race that takes place every ten years., and is a three hour endurance race on all shapes and sizes of penny farthing. The race attracts teams and individuals from all over the world. The last race took place in September 2010.

·  Knutsford Royal May Day Parade has taken place every year since 1887 (with a small break during WW1 and WW2).