Activities in Altrincham

The marvellous Altrincham Market is a trip in and of itself. Altrincham is one of England’s original market towns, with a charter that dates back to 1290. It makes the most of Cheshire’s fertile farmland and the artisan makers of Greater Manchester to offer shoppers the finest local produce and a fantastic array of arts, crafts and gifty goodness. The Market House Altrincham is the stylish indoor food hall, which is open every day bar Monday and has stalls upon stalls of sublime eating, great coffee, a chocolatier, world wines and craft beers. It’s among our favourite places to eat in Altrincham. The New Market Square is home to yet more fantastic food options. The outdoor covered market consists of 60 stalls selling pretty much anything under the sun.

If you’re a sucker for a stately home, Dunham Massey Hall is a gorgeous Georgian house set in a sprawling estate with manicured gardens and a deer park. It’s a National Trust property, so if you’re already a member, you can enjoy free access to this incredible piece of history. Dunham Massey Hall was built in the 17th century and survives in fantastic condition today, despite being used as the Stamford Military Hospital during World War I. The deer park covers some 300 acres of parkland, while the grounds also contain the largest winter garden in Britain. It’s really no wonder that Dunham Massey Hall is among the most popular National Trust properties in the UK. There’s so much to see and do. If you fancy a sit-down and something to quench your thirst following your visit, the Swan with Two Nicks is one of our favourite pubs and a pick from our Altrincham nightlife page.

Another fantastic National Trust day out is the Quarry Bank Mill in nearby Styal. It’s a 20-minute drive from our Altrincham hotel but worth the mileage to explore one of England’s most impressive and best-preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution. It sits on the River Bollin, the lifeblood of the mill’s mighty waterwheel, which is the largest in the UK and still turns to this day.

The National Trust has done an incredible job at Quarry Bank. The cotton mill contains an informative and interactive museum. Quarry Bank House has been beautifully restored. Visiting the nearby workers’ village of Styal is like taking a trip back in time. You can also explore the Apprentice House, where the mill’s child workers would live. It’s all absolutely fascinating, but be sure to set some time aside to simply wander the riverside gardens and visit the renovated greenhouse.

If the weather takes a turn for the worst and you’re looking for something to do indoors, Planet Ice Altrincham is the popular local ice rink where you can kill an hour or two. Prices are affordable, and it caters to all ages and abilities. It’s also the home of the Manchester Storm, a professional team that plays in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Ticket prices are less than £20 for adults and under a tenner for children. Check to see if there’s a home game during your stay; it’s highly likely as the Storm have more than 30 home fixtures a season.

Fans of escape rooms will want to take on Code to Exit, Altrincham’s No. 1 escape activity. For anyone unfamiliar with the premise, you’re challenged to break free from one of three rooms in under 60 minutes. To do so, you’ll need to find clues, decipher riddles and solve puzzles that ultimately culminate in your freedom. The three rooms are each unique and offer different difficulties, which will have even the cleverest of clogs scratching their heads. Escape rooms broke out of Budapest to take over the world as one of the most popular activities on the planet. They’re especially fun when taken on with a team of friends, family or colleagues.

Of course, if you’re looking to kill some time, you can always head to the local cinema. The Everyman Altrincham on George Street recently opened to offer comfy sofa seating, tasty eating and alcoholic drinks to the cinemagoers of Altrincham. It has four screens in total and shows all the latest blockbusters, as well as live screenings of musicals, ballets and concerts from around the world.