A selection of some of the wonderful events taking place in or around Cheshire this year

Throughout February Snowdrop walks at Rode Hall Gardens Rode Hall Gardens are the setting of one of the most spectacular displays of Snowdrops in the North West of England With over fifty different varieties of snowdrops to be seen in the magnificent setting of Rode’s Humphry Repton landscape, this mile-long walk (approximately) is a perfect morning or afternoon stroll out in the fresh air for nature-lovers of all ages. Tue-Sun (closed Mondays) Church Lane, Scholar Green, Congleton, 01270 873237 www.rodehall.co.uk/snowdrops

25th March Cadbury Easter Egg Trails at Dunham Massey Complete the Easter trail and children receive a Cadbury's chocolate Egghead as a reward at Dunham Massey. The Earl & the Countess are coming to Dunham for a picnic to celebrate their wedding but the food is hidden all over the garden! Can you save the day and follow the trail to find the food? It's hungry work, so there may even be a chocolate reward at the end... Don't forget to get your tickets from visitor reception before heading to the garden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

29th May Geronimo This fun family festival will have hundreds of activities for children aged from two to 12 and appearances from a host of popular characters like CBeebies’ Mr Bloom. There will also be an Adrenaline Zone with tree climbing, den making and a thrilling zip line that will reach speeds of up to 60kph. For those who like things a little less fast paced, there are fencing and archery taster lessons and Parkour sessions. There will also be a new Arena Zone with displays featuring motorbike teams, sheepdog shows with a difference and owls in the falconry show – on horseback. For history fans, watch the Knights of the Royal Order as they carry out a live joust, or check out a local band of cowboys showing off their horse handling skills. 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk

28 – 30th May The Lost Carnival The Lost Carnival is a family event offering a large outdoor theatre experience from award-winning producers Wild Rumpus and ‘So It Is’. To be held at a mystery location in Crewe.For three short nights only, families will step into a world unlike any other in this large-scale outdoor immersive theatre experience from award-winning producers Wild Rumpus (Just So Festival) and So It Is (Bury Met, Ramsbottom Festival). www.thelostcarnival.org.uk

10th – 12th June Cholmondeley Pageant of Power Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is a celebration of fantastic vehicles including boats, vintage and speed cars. CPOP 2015 was a huge success, over 65,000 visitors attended, thanks to an action-packed programme of best-ever content on land, air and water and the 2016 event is sure to be bigger than the last. 01829 772432, www.cpop.co.uk

21st – 22nd June Cheshire County Show One of the highlights of Cheshire’s social calendar, the Cheshire County Show, is an event not to be missed. With its strong farming roots the show, again, this year will hold many competition classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, but will also include hundreds of classes for light and heavy horses, show jumping, rare breeds of livestock, poultry, pygmy goats, pigeons, cavies, rabbits and dog show. 01565 650200, www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk

20th – 24th July The RHS Show at Tatton Park The RHS Show at Tatton Park is always a wonderful day out for garden lovers. Browse the latest trends in the renowned back-to-back gardens, flowerbeds and floral displays. Award-winning nurseries, specialists and over 300 exhibitors showcase a huge variety of gardening accessories, produce and gifts to purchase. www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park

21st – 23rd August Just So Festival The Just So Festival is an annual weekend-long camping festival for children and their families. The festival provides a magical experience where art, music and literature are embedded and entwined in a beautiful and wondrous landscape. The entire family will enjoy a range of musical, theatrical, and visual performances, workshops and installations within a safe, natural and magical setting. Rode Hall, Church Ln, Scholar Green, ST7 3QP www.justsofestival.org.uk

27th August Poynton Show Poynton Show is one of the largest one day tented Horticultural & agricultural show in the North West. The show promises to be fun for all the family including motorcycle aerobatic stunts and floorshow display. www.poyntonshow.co.uk

December TBC Chester’s Winter Watch Parade A ‘ghost band’ lead a fun parade of skeletons, Christmas cooks, angels and devils as they celebrate the Winter solstice. Dating from the 1400’s, local artists and community groups join together to celebrate the time when the city leaders would hand over the keys to the city watch. Watch out for fire breathing and the skeleton emperor. Follow the parade through the streets of Chester. www.midsummerwatch.co.uk