iKnow North West
- Around Chester
- Chester
- Congleton
- Crewe & Nantwich
- Macclesfield
- Nr Manchester Airport
- Northwich & Winsford
- Runcorn
- Warrington
Ellesmere Port Canal History Boat Museum Blue Planet Aquarium Cheshire Oaks
Ellesmere Port is quite a hive of activity, with easy access off the M53 to the Boat Museum, the Blue Planet Aquarium and Cheshire Oaks designer outlet, if that's your bag.
Ellesmere Port Boat Museum
The Ellesmere Port Boat Museum located at the end of the Shropshire Union Canal was once a busy docks area. The numerous exhibitions housed in old or recreated buildings such as the Toll House, are crammed with photographs and living history stories of canal people of the past who worked the cut. Recreations of dockworkers cottages and working exhibitions of restored steam, diesel and gas engines are on show in the Power Hall and Pump House. It really does work hard this museum to explore the social history of canals, rather than just recounting one industrial date after another - so it is something particularly special. There's an archive centre on site as well if you fancy digging deeper into canal history.
Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FW T: 0151 355 5017
Blue Planet Aquarium
Like The Deep in Hull, Blue Planet Aquarium does not disappoint. Thrilling experiences to be had here walking through one of the longest underwater tunnels, where you can look up and see 'Shakey the Shark' in denims. There's a poisonous frogs exhibition - including the Golden Dart Frog, apparently strong enough to kill 10 men - and plenty of free face painting, guided tours and intermittent fish feeds. Check out the Caribbean Reef, packed with hundreds of coloured fish
Great family fun to stir the soul with restaurant on-site.
Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 9LF T: 0906 941 0088 (pre-booking essential)
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Europe's largest designer outlet apparently with free parking and 'a treasure trail of best buys waiting to be discovered'. Dump the kids in the Play Area, grab your cash from one of the many on-site cash points and buy yourself into an early grave. Ridiculous!
Off Junction 10, M53
