Stuck for something to do over the holidays? Try these great days out in and around Cheshire, suggests Janet Reeder
Just So Festival
Where: Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire
When: August 19-21
What: Wild Rumpus’ Just So Festival takes as its theme Codes and Ciphers, Detectives and Disguises, Mysteries and Mayhem, so expect plenty that’s unexpected and probably some that unexplained. This annual intimate, weekend-long camping festival for children and their families provides an imaginative outdoor adventure like no other, showcasing the best art, music, literature, comedy and theatre in a wonderful landscape of woodland clearings, rolling parkland, arboreal amphitheatres and lakeside spots in the Rode Hall Estate.
Other highlights: Step into the extraordinary Spellbound Forest and experience a new outdoor performance for families. Laugh until you fall over at a new show from comedian James Campbell and be led on an interactive dig like no other by curious archaeologists in How Time Flies, by Handmade Theatre on the Woodland Stage. More unmissable music and dance performances and workshops include the first chance to squash, roll, pop and squeeze in Sponge, the premiere of the new show by participatory dance artists Turned On Its Head and Around The World in 80 Notes with Melanie Ash and Jade Jagger.
Contact: www.justsofestival.org.uk
Rewind Festival North - Capesthorne Hall
Where: Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, Cheshire SK11 9JY
When: August 5th-7th
What: Stand and deliver! Time to dig out your legwarmers and New Romantic blouse, Rewind Festival North is one big celebration of the 80s and includes stellar acts from the era including Adam Ant, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, UB40, Marc Almond, Rick Astley, Midge Ure, Go West, Nik Kershaw Jason Donovan, Paul Carrack, Hazel O’Connor, Dr & The Medics and the British Electric Foundation, featuring guest artists including Joy Division’s Peter Hook and more.
Other highlights: An inflatable church where you can become the star of your very own festival wedding with over 100 guests in attendance. Each ceremony comes complete with wedding outfits, barmy bridesmaids, mad mother in laws, wedding music, wedding photographs, Big Love Wedding Certificate and even invites you to your evening reception!
Contact: www.rewindfestival.com
Bear Grylls Big Outdoor Festival
Where: Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
When: Sep 24th
What: Ever wanted to be like the king of the great outdoors Bear Grylls? Well now you can be. The adventurous are heading to Tatton’s 2,000 acres of deer park to ‘survive’ in the great outdoors. Packed with activities, festival challenges, fantastic prizes, live music, gourmet food pop-ups and licenced bars, there is something for the whole family, including a bungee jump, segway track, parajet flying shows, fire lighting and air rifle shooting. There will be bush craft workshops and is even a chance to dabble in survival challenges.
Other Highlights: It’s not just for big adventurers. Children can get involved in everything from including waterzorbing to falconry flying and bushgrubs eating challenges.
Contact: www.beargryllssurvivalrace.com/manchester
Creamfields
Where: Daresbury Estate, Warrington
When: August 25th-28th
What: The UK’s biggest dance festival features a host of massive DJ names including Calvin Harris, Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong Chase and Status, Avicii , Annie Mac, Tiestö, Hardwell Martin Garrix, Nicky Romero, Otto Knows, and more.
Other highlights: Get those whistles at the ready and experience the colourful spectacle of the Brazilian carnival with a street promenade, dancers and live performers.
Contact: www.creamfields.com
Manchester Loves Cocktails
Where: Various venues, Manchester city centre
When: August 8th-14th
What: This is a brand new seven day cocktail festival taking over the city and involving more than 30 of the city’s best bars and venues. There’ll be tastings, masterclasses, tasty dinners and parties to celebrate the art of mixing. Participating venues include: Hawksmoor, Trof, Gorilla, MOJO, Alberts Schloss, The Alchemist, Cottonopolis, Cane and Grane, Pen and Pencil - to name just a few!
Other highlights: Each of the participating bars will be serving up a unique cocktail menu especially for the festival featuring £4.50 cocktails. All you have to do is buy a wristband pried £10.
Contact: www.lovescocktails.co.uk
Bakewell Baking Festival
Where: Bakewell Showground
When: August 13th-14th
What: Ready steady bake! The spiritual home of baking is hanging out the bunting and balloons for a weekend of fun...and buns.
With the rising stars of the Great British Bake-Off, stalls filled with goodies and a charm all its own, the Bakewell Baking Festival returns for 2016.
The baking mad festival with a vintage twist, has it all, demos, music, stalls, comedy and fun and games for all the family and there’ll be a host of baking stars including Nadiya Hussain, the sparkling winner of the 2015 GBBO.
She said: ‘I am really delighted to have been asked to appear at the Bakewell Baking Festival. It will be my first visit to Bakewell and I am really looking forward to meeting everyone at the festival, sharing some of my recipes from my new book Nadiya’s Kitchen and of course sampling the legendary Bakewell pudding.’
Also lined up to take to the stage are TV baker brother chef, Henry Herbert from Hobbs House Bakery whose brother Tom wowed the crowds last year, Masterchef’s fantastic Stacie Stewart and the wonderful first-ever Bake Off champion Edd Kimber.
www.bakewellbakingfestival.co.uk
Beaumaris Food Festival
Where: Beaumaris castle
When: September 11th and 12th
What: Beaumaris Food Festival will take place on the 10th and 11th September in the historic town on the shores of the Menai Straits.
Against the backdrop of the 12th century Beaumaris castle, the Festival ‘Town Green’ will be dotted with marquees and gazebos, offering tantalizing foodie nibbles (and meals for the hungry!), from the best of Welsh produce to international street food. Sit and listen to live music from the bandstand or stroll around the ‘Green’ where you’ll also discover local crafts – or learn from top local chefs, as they show how to turn regional food into fabulous signature dishes! There will be plenty for children to do too.
