Cheshire Life gives you ten good reasons to get out and about in the county this Easter
WORDS BY EMMA MAYOH

Art in the Garden at Dunham MasseyGet crafty in the gardens of this magnificent estate on April 11th and 13th. There will be lots of creative activities so you can make something of your own to take home. From April 6th – 9th there will be Cadbury fun days held at Dunham Massey. Follow the trails through the house and garden and every child will receive a chocolate egg. If you cannot wait until then visit a few says before for fun storytelling sessions on April 2nd and 4th. 0161 941 1025, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunhammassey

Alice in Wonderland Easter FestivalPut on your widest Cheshire Cat smile at Tatton Park, Knutsford, as this historic estate hosts this enchanting Alice in Wonderland celebration from April 7th to 9th. Step through the looking glass into the mansion where you can follow a trail through the state rooms. You can also follow the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party being held in the gardens. You will bump into some curious characters. Follow the Cheshire Cat Trail, meet the new lambs at Tatton Park Farm or enjoy a Punch and Judy Show at the stableyard. 01625 374400. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Easter Boat Gathering and Sea Shanty Festival, Ellesmere PortThis popular event returns from April 6th – 9th at the National Waterways Museum.There will be a gathering of colourful canal boats and sea shanty musicians for the weekend of traditional canal crafts, music, boats, demonstrations, children’s activities and more.Sea Shanty performers from across the country will be performing in the historic museum’s restored buildings and boats on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.They will also stage formal concerts on Friday and Saturday nights.Titanic Brewery will hold a mini beer festival and barbecue throughout the four days. 0151 373 4373, www.nwm.org.uk

Pollman Piano Recital Series, MacclesfieldStart spring with a musical flourish and a world-class performance from the new Schulze Pollmann piano recital series, From the Workshop.Australian pianist Tristan Lee will perform the opening recital on April 1st with a composition by pianist and composer Leslie Howard as well as some of the most famous piano music written. The series, held in the workshop of Shackleford Pianos, Athey Street, Macclesfield, will feature performances from outstanding musicians throughout the year. 0800 032 9919, www.sitespecificmusic.co.uk

Arley Hall, NorthwichThis spectacular residence will be filled with visitors for the Easter Gift and Food Fair. The event, taking place from April 7th – 9th, will also feature a large marquee with about 70 stalls selling handmade crafts, giftware and tempting and tasty food.While you are there take in the glorious surroundings of the hall. The gardens feature Quercus Ilex columns, a Pleached Lime avenue of trees, a furlong walk and their most famous feature, the herbaceous border, which is believed to be the first of its kind planted in England. www.arleyhallandgardens.com

Walton Hall and Gardens, WarringtonSpring is in the air at Walton Hall and Gardens. This is an ideal time of year to enjoy the grounds of this beautiful estate, which was once part of a much larger estate bought in 1812 by the Greenall family. Spot everything from barn owls and blackbirds to wrens and woodpeckers while out on one of the many country walks that start in the gardens or in the summer season you can enjoy outdoor games at the pitch ‘n’ putt course or the putting green. On April 8th and 9th Arley is hosting a special event, A Traditional Easter. There will be entertainment for all the family with live music, children’s entertainers, craft stalls, egg games and more in the Heritage Yard.01925 601617, www.warrington.gov.uk/waltongardens

Oulton Park, Little Budworth, TarporleyFancy something faster paced than Easter egg hunts and country walks? Head to Oulton Park on the Bank Holiday weekend.The British F3 and GT Championships kicks off the racing season at the Little Budworth track on April 6th – 9th. There will be three races on the Saturday along with two one-house track sessions for the British GT Championship.This event is heralded as a training ground for future F1 stars so take your chance to see them in action. Supercars will be out on the track including Ferrari and Aston Martin. It’s where future F1 stars come to get their year off to a flying start. 01829 760301

Abbeywood Gardens, DelamereYou can keep all members of the family happy here over Easter. This lovely 45 acre estate, maintained and developed by the Rowlinson family, has stunning gardens, woodland walks and its own arboretum as well as a caf� serving up delicious goodies made from local produce.From April 1st – 15th the children can join in the fun in a series of Easter treasure hunts. Follow the clues to find the Easter Bunny and collect a special prize. Closed Fridays and Saturdays. 01606 889477, www.abbeywoodgardenscheshire.co.uk

Lifestyle Festival 2012A feast of fun awaits you this Easter weekend at the Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival. The event, which takes place from April 7th - 9th at Chester Racecourse, will include chef demonstrations, workshops for children and more than 120 exhibitors with lots of food producers as well as a lifestyle section with competitions, events and an annual cheese rolling event.There will also be Camperfest where campers can stay in tents, caravans and campervans close to the event. 01244 405615, www.chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk

The Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music FestivalMusicians from around the world descend on this pretty market town for the hugely popular Nantwich Jazz, Blues Sunlightand Music Festival. The event, which attracts thousands of people every year, transforms the town with outdoors performances, more than 100 pub gigs and appearances by headliner bands at Nantwich Civic Hall and The Crown Hotel Ballroom. Plus, there’s a carnival theme on Easter Monday at Nantwich Square with outdoor entertainment. Artists signed up include Tony Christie, The James Taylor Quartet, The Beat and Wilko Johnson. 01270 625283, www.nantwichjazz.com

More Easter outings ideas

Adlington Hall, Mill Lane, Adlington. This splendid building forms part of the 2,000 acre Adlington Estate which has been home to the Legh family since 1308. 01625 827595, www.adlingtonhall.com

Port Sunlight Village, Wirral. Lots of fun events with an Easter card making workshop on April 3rd and 5th and Easter adventures with Bertie Porter on April 8th. 0151 644 6466. www.portsunlightvillage.com.

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton. Follow the Easter trail around this historic Tudor hall and its gardens from April 6th to 9th. You can also take home a Cadbury prize. 01260 272018, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/little-moreton-hall

The print version of this article appeared in the April 2012 issue of Cheshire Life

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