Summer fun and places to run

Paul1973

Well-Known Forumite
Hi!

Where is good for family food and great food in the sun and also where are some great (and tough) places to run for me! Bored of the gym and looking at the same crack in the wall.
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
I cannot recommend a national trust pass highly enough, big stately homes with miles of grounds, most have a half decent cafe/restaurant/tee rooms or better yet take a picnic and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
 

Paul1973

Well-Known Forumite
I cannot recommend a national trust pass highly enough, big stately homes with miles of grounds, most have a half decent cafe/restaurant/tee rooms or better yet take a picnic and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Where are they?
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
The best we've found by far is Calke Abbey near Derby, followed by Attingham Park in Shrewsbury. Shugborough is on the doorstep and we really like that one too, in the summer they hide 7 doors within the grounds and you have to find them all, each one has something different behind it like a tea party or musical instruments.

Some have more to do than others, the only one I haven't been overly impressed with is Tatton Park near Knutsford, it's £10 parking which is usually free with a trust pass, you can't take a picnic into the grounds so we had to eat in the car park and as soon as you arrive you are greeted with overpriced fairground rides etc. and it's not what we go to these places for, there was nothing particularly there that didn't involve parting with your cash, where as most days out cost us the fuel in the car and the picnic ingredients, it just seemed to be overly commercial.

Some sites are bigger than others, Little Moreton Hall in Congleton has a beautiful Tudor house and it's lovely to have a wonder round but there are no grounds to it and you would struggle to spend the day there. Quarry Bank Mill near Wilmslow however has more to see than could do in a day.

We haven't yet scratched the surface of places to visit.
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
Agree about Attingham Park & Calke Abbey, Chirk & Baddesley Clinton are ok too.
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
Some have more to do than others, the only one I haven't been overly impressed with is Tatton Park near Knutsford, it's £10 parking which is usually free with a trust pass, you can't take a picnic into the grounds so we had to eat in the car park and as soon as you arrive you are greeted with overpriced fairground rides etc. and it's not what we go to these places for, there was nothing particularly there that didn't involve parting with your cash, where as most days out cost us the fuel in the car and the picnic ingredients, it just seemed to be overly commercial.

It is Commercial - Tatton Park isn't National Trust

Tatton Park is entirely managed by Cheshire East Council. There is a car parking charge of £6 which is also applicable to National Trust members. Open Bank Holiday Mondays: Parkland, Mansion, Farm and Garden. Last admission one hour before closing. Special Opening arrangements for Christmas. Old Hall open days must be prebooked via website. Special Group tours can be arranged or 15 or more.
 
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