A Cheshire Day Celebration

Some counties announce themselves loudly.

Others reveal their richness slowly, through detail, depth, and a deep sense of place.

Cheshire belongs firmly in the latter.

Cheshire Day, celebrated on 30th March each year, offers an opportunity to look more closely at a county shaped by landscape, industry, innovation, and enduring local pride. From historic market towns and working countryside to world-leading science, food, and drink. Cheshire reveals a richness best discovered at an unhurried pace.

From Combermere Abbey, set peacefully on the Cheshire – Shropshire border, the county opens up with ease, inviting you to explore, savour, and celebrate everything that makes Cheshire unique.

Cheshire Day: A Celebration of Identity and Pride

Cheshire Day is rooted in history rather than ceremony. Held each year on 30th March, the date marks the granting of the Charter of the Earldom of Chester in 1300, when Cheshire was formally recognised as a county with its own distinct identity, rights, and traditions. This moment acknowledged not only Cheshire’s strategic importance, but its long-established sense of independence, a quality that continues to shape the county’s character and outlook today.

Established to honour Cheshire’s past, present, and future, Cheshire Day offers an opportunity for businesses, residents, schools and museums to reflect on a county built steadily over centuries. Its story is one of industry and agriculture working in quiet partnership: salt shaping early trade and prosperity; fertile farmland sustaining generations; market towns forming the social and economic heart of local life.

This ability to evolve while remaining deeply rooted feels particularly resonant at Combermere Abbey. Here, centuries of history are not preserved as a static backdrop, but lived alongside thoughtful, contemporary hospitality. The Abbey and its estate embody the same balance Cheshire Day seeks to celebrate.

Respect for heritage, confidence in progress, and a deep connection to place.

The History of Cheshire: Salt, Trade, and Transformation

Cheshire’s story is inseparable from salt.

For centuries, salt shaped the county’s economy, landscapes, and communities. Natural brine springs around towns such as Northwich and Middlewich made Cheshire one of Britain’s most important salt-producing regions, fuelling trade, and leaving a lasting imprint on the land itself.

Today, that history is not confined to museums or archives; it is something visitors can still walk, follow, and experience. Cheshire’s extensive canal network, originally created to transport salt and other goods, now offers peaceful routes through countryside and town alike. Pathways that once supported industry have become places of recreation, and quiet discovery.

Landmarks such as the Anderton Boat Lift stand as striking reminders of Victorian engineering, while the Lion Salt Works preserves the story of salt production, connecting visitors directly to the people and processes that shaped the county. Nearby, Marbury Country Park and Marshall’s Arm Nature Reserve reveal how former industrial landscapes have been gently reclaimed by nature, offering rich wildlife habitats to explore alongside echoes of their working past.

Cheese and Craft: A County Defined by Flavour

If salt gave Cheshire its foundation, cheese gave it fame.

Cheshire cheese is one of Britain’s oldest recorded cheeses, prized for its crumbly texture and distinctive, savoury character. Today, that tradition is proudly carried forward by exceptional local producers such as Bournes and Burts, whose commitment to quality and provenance reflects the county’s enduring relationship with food.

Guests at Combermere Abbey can follow the story of Cheshire cheese from pasture to plate at a host of outstanding local producers and farm shops.

The Cheese Shop in Nantwich and Cheese Yard in Knutsford showcase the county’s cheeses alongside a huge selection of national and international varieties, while Bidlea Dairy is home to the award-winning Burts Cheese, celebrated for its unique flavour. Just a short drive from the estate, J S Bailey allows purchases directly from the factory, and Longmans Farm Shop offers a wealth of local delicacies to take home.

Looking to the Skies: Cheshire and the Exploration of Space

Few counties can boast both ancient salt mines and a pivotal role in humanity’s understanding of the universe.

At Jodrell Bank, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cheshire became a global centre for radio astronomy and space exploration. The Lovell Telescope, rising dramatically from the Cheshire plain, stands as a powerful symbol of curiosity and scientific ambition.

Guests at Combermere Abbey can easily make a day of visiting Jodrell Bank, exploring the observatory’s fascinating history and science exhibits. Afterwards, a stop at the nearby Space Invader pub in Goostrey offers a chance to enjoy hearty, local dishes in a relaxed setting.

Markets and Community: Where Cheshire Comes Together

Cheshire’s character is perhaps most vividly felt in its markets.

Nantwich Market, with its historic square and independent traders, remains a weekly ritual rooted in tradition and community. It is a place where food, craft, and conversation meet. The market runs three times a week throughout the year on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Then there is the wonderfully eccentric Macclesfield Treacle Market, held on the last Sunday of the month. Famous for its bustling atmosphere, artisan stalls, and strong sense of community pride, it is unapologetically Cheshire: creative, welcoming, and just a little unexpected.

Fine Dining in Cheshire: Thoughtful, Seasonal, Exceptional

Cheshire’s dining scene continues to evolve, led by chefs who prioritise provenance and creativity.

In Knutsford, Linden Stores offers an intimate, ingredient-led experience that celebrates the very best of local and seasonal produce. Nestled in the Cheshire countryside near Macclesfield, La Popote is a celebrated French fine-dining restaurant where classic techniques meet contemporary flair. Recognised in the Michelin Guide, it offers both à la carte dishes and refined tasting menus, showcasing the county’s seasonal bounty with elegance and precision.

Restaurant Next Door in Frodsham is a modern British gem set within a charming 17th-century timber-framed building. Once a family butcher’s shop, it has been transformed into a cosy, character-filled neighbourhood restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team. Their focus on locally sourced produce shines through every dish, earning multiple accolades and a place in the Michelin Guide for its hospitality and carefully considered menus.

Together, these restaurants reflect a shared philosophy: food should be memorable, meaningful, and firmly rooted in its surroundings. A taste of Cheshire in every bite.

A County to Raise a Glass: Cheshire’s Drink Producers

Cheshire’s food story is increasingly matched by its incredible drink’s producers.

For guests at Combermere Abbey, a unique experience awaits just a short walk from the doorstep. Three Wrens Gin, with its distillery located on the estate itself and its cocktail bar The Nest in nearby Nantwich, offers a refined, botanical-led approach to distilling that reflects both creativity and craftsmanship. Visitors can enjoy a tasting or go a step further and try their hand at crafting a bespoke bottle to take home.

Beer lovers are equally well served. Westwood Ales and the Bollington Brewing Co continue Cheshire’s proud brewing tradition, creating beers that are characterful and well balanced. And for something truly celebratory, Goldford Wines has gained national acclaim for its English sparkling wines, highlighting the surprising depth and quality of Cheshire’s offerings.

Local Produce, Reimagined: Tatton Services at Knutsford

One of the most anticipated, and exciting developments in the county is the new Westmorland Family Tatton Services on the M6 at Knutsford. With construction expected to begin in Spring 2026, the target for opening is late 2027 or early 2028.

More than a service station, this project will champion local producers, seasonal food, and Cheshire craftsmanship, offering travellers an authentic taste of the county rather than a generic pause along the road.

It reflects a wider shift in how Cheshire values its producers: proudly, visibly, and with care.

Combermere Abbey: A Place to Explore Cheshire

Where you stay shapes how you experience a county.

From Combermere Abbey, Cheshire feels accessible without ever feeling rushed. Days can be shaped by curiosity. Markets in the morning, farm shops or distilleries in the afternoon, and fine dining in the evening. All balanced by returning to an estate that values calm, space, and quiet luxury.

Accommodation in both the Abbey and historic cottages, are designed to support the rhythm of exploration, offering spaces that are comfortable, considered, and deeply connected to the landscape. Combermere provides a convenient base from which to explore all that Cheshire has to offer.

Explore our accommodation and plan your Cheshire stay: