The delights of Roald Dahl are the headline attraction in a fully-booked line-up of fun family activities to round off this year’s summer holidays in Cheshire and Flintshire.
Marketing Cheshire is promoting a range of attractions and events taking place over the next few weeks as part of a drive to attract visitors to the area.
Hot on the heels of the recent release of The BFG in cinemas, Tatton Park near Knutsford is continuing its year-long programme of events to highlight the Welsh-born writer’s milestone over the August bank holiday.
Dahl fans can revel in Tremendous Adventures ranging from an outdoor performance of Danny the Champion of the World at the Old Hall (August 27) to Fantastic Mr Fox activities during the fourth annual Traditional Country Weekend at the Farm (August 27 to 29, then until October 2).
They can also dip into Matilda in the Mansion, Danny the Champion of the World in the Gardens and The Enormous Crocodile in the Parkland (all until October 2), plus a colourful exhibition of Dahl book jackets Cover to Cover (until October 30).
Younger visitors to Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden can head for the Young People’s Tent – hosting a series of Dahl-inspired activities – as part of Gladfest 2016 from September 2-4.
Famous faces such as Val McDermid, Loyd Grossman and Sarah Perry will be giving talks.
Meanwhile, fierce-looking dinosaurs are at Chester Zoo, while there is a Dino-Chester Trail in the city centre (both until September 4).
At the Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, the Summer Shark Safari highlights Europe’s largest collection of sharks and the Blue Tang Story links with the newly released children’s film Finding Dory (until September 4).
Young animal lovers will be challenged to seek out baby farm animals along the Polly’s Piglets Activity Trail at Blakemere Village, Sandiway, Northwich (until September 4).
At Ness Botanic Gardens, Ness, attractions include play spaces, wildlife areas, trails and a grass labyrinth (open seven days a week); while the Cheshire Game and Country Fair is at the Cheshire Showground, Tabley, near Knutsford (August 27 to 29) and the Cilcain Show and Mountain Race in Flintshire on August 29.
Sports fans will appreciate top action on two wheels in the Mark Cavendish Rise Above Sportive, starting and finishing in Chester city centre (August 28), The Wirral Triathlon at West Kirby Marina (August 28), and a Bank Holiday Golf Open competition at Carden Park Hotel, near Chester (August 29).
Alison Duckworth, director of tourism at Marketing Cheshire, on behalf of the Cheshire Inbound Gateways Partnership, said: “Whether visitors are planning a fun day out or long weekend to make the most of the late summer bank holiday weekend, Cheshire, Wirral and Flintshire is an ideal destination, whatever the weather.”
