Knutsford and Tatton Area Guide

Tatton in the 19^th century. An area where the industrial powerhouse of the north met lush meadows and rolling hills, where the riches produced by the silk and cotton industries were invested into gracious country houses, vast parklands and model workers’ villages, and where cobbled squares in picturesque market towns, connected by the rapidly burgeoning network of canals, rang to the sound of merchants busily trading their wares.

Today, the legacy of these times lives on in Tatton’s enormous variety of historic attractions, vibrant country towns, picturesque waterways, wooded hillsides and flourishing pleasure gardens. It boasts a proud regional food culture, a dynamic and entrepreneurial business community, remarkable ease of access by rail, air and road – and offers a warm northern welcome that extends to all comers.

Rural

If you’re a countryside lover, you’re spoilt for choice. Ramble across the mature woodlands of Tatton Park and you’ll very likely see softly dappled fallow deer nibbling at the grass; make a very early start on the winding paths and ancient bridleways that crisscross the area and you just might get a quick peep of a fox as it slips silently along a field edge, or catch sight of a family of playful badger cubs grubbing about in the muddy ground for a bit of breakfast.

Food & Drink

For the hungry of tummy, the area’s suppliers can offer a veritable feast. Specialist cheeses, farm-raised beef, lamb and pork, locally-brewed ales, Cheshire ice-cream, home-made cakes and cordials, as well deliciously-flavoured traditional fruit varieties grown in family-owned orchards, and fat, juicy vegetables pulled daily from the fields then delivered squeakily fresh to the chef …  all this and more takes pride of place on the menus at Tatton’s finest restaurants, cafés, farm food shops, fine food specialists and visitor attractions.

Historic Interest

There’s fascinating history galore just waiting to be uncovered at the many mansions, manors and country houses dotted around the area. Some 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 landed gentry in times gone by. As well as being the grandest of homes, these extravagant estates were also settings for infamous duels, scandalous love affairs and disastrous bankruptcies; even in calmer times, they were bustling centres of industrious employment for local people, and their servants’ quarters, formal receiving salons and more intimate family rooms give visitors a fascinating insight into the way upstairs and downstairs life was lived.

Industrial Heritage

It’s well worth exploring the industrial heritage of the area: Macclesfield’s silk industry was world-famous, and as well as a museum recreation of silk weaving workshops, some of the old Georgian and Victorian weavers’ cottages and silk mills can still be seen.

Cotton wasn’t just spun in towns and cities; the Quarry Bank Mill estate set in the picturesque Bollin Valley encompasses a purpose-built workers’ village 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.

Waterways

Canals were once the motorways of the Industrial Revolution: wander along a section of the 97 mile “Cheshire Ring”, a circular network of canals looping round the northwest and you’ll not only see working locks, massive mills and the powerful waterwheels that drove them, but also a plethora of wildflowers and birds which now make their home amid the seclusion of these now-peaceful waterways.

So, idyllic countryside, stunning gardens, elegant architecture, bustling market towns and superb local foodstuffs – Tatton has it all, but there’s no point in having it all if you don’t share it around. Come and join the party. Everyone’s welcome.