Good morning, Cheshire 👋 

We’re rolling into mid-July with sunny skies, sizzling food festivals and open-air shows popping up across the county. Whether you’re planning a full weekend adventure or just fancy a wander with a coffee in hand…your perfect Cheshire week starts right here.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s Cheshire Buzz:

• Outdoor cinema is back

• Open-air Austen in Chester

• Tribute beats in Gawsworth’s gardens

• Motown magic, Blondie tributes & indie vibes

• Two stunning circular walks with unbeatable views

• A family-run farm shop that does way more than veg

🎉 What’s On This Weekend

🎬 Moonlight Flicks: Dirty Dancing
10 Jul - 9:30pm, Grosvenor Park, Chester
The iconic 80s romance under the stars with blankets, popcorn and a cosy riverside setting.
👉 Details

🎶 Live Aid 40 - A Tribute
11-12 Jul, Verdin Park, Northwich
A weekend of 12 tribute acts celebrating the iconic Live Aid concert - expect hits from Queen, Madonna, Duran Duran and more, with proceeds supporting local charities.
👉 Details

🎶 Live in the Park - John Colins Band & Blondie Tribute
12 Jul, Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich
Laid-back garden concert featuring feel-good rock from John Colins Band and a classic Blondie tribute - perfect for a summer’s evening out.
👉 Details

🎶 Magic of the Musicals
13 Jul, Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield
This high-energy open-air show celebrates 70 years of Motown magic with hits from Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and more. A Gawsworth summer favourite, now all new for 2025.
👉 Details

🎶 Alsager Music Fest
12 Jul, Alsager
A two-day celebration featuring local bands, indie acts and acoustic sing-alongs, showcasing the village’s creative spirit.
👉 Details

🍽️ Tatton Park Foodies Festival
11-13 Jul, Tatton Park, Knutsford
Savour chef demos, artisan tastings + headliners Blue, The Wanted 2.0 & Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra.
👉 Details

📌 Quick Bites

🏊‍♀️ Adult swim-only lanes - 11 Jul @ Marbury Park Swimming Club
Book a calm, child-free pool session mid-week-members + guests only. 👉 Details

🎬 Moonlight Flicks returns - from 10 Jul @ Grosvenor Park. Catch outdoor cinema showings of Dirty Dancing (10 Jul), Greatest Showman & Pretty Woman. 👉 Details

🧺 Sandbach Makers Market - 12th Jul, The Market Square (cobbles). Shop handmade crafts, artisan foods and local treats at the popular monthly makers market full of independent charm. 👉 Details

🏃‍♂️ Cheshire 10k and 10 Miles in Chester - 13th Jul, Plas Newton Ln, Chester. Race through the scenic Cheshire countryside on a closed-road course, with a 10K, 10 Mile and Junior run, finished off with a medal and post-race goodies. 👉 Details

🧑‍🌾 Local Spotlight: The Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth

Family-run since 1959, The Hollies has grown from a roadside honesty box to a Cheshire icon: farm shop, butchery, fresh-fish counter, gift barn, greenhouse café and even on-site forest lodges for foodie stop-overs.

Winners of Taste Cheshire’s Local Produce Shop of the Year, brothers Phil & Ed Cowap (3rd generation) still stock the shelves at dawn and greet regulars by name.

Their sustainability creds are solid too-solar panels power the dairy fridges and surplus veg becomes soups and jams in-house.

🔗 theholliesfarmshop.co.uk

🔥 Hot & New

🦞 The Sandbar, Chester - Chester’s newest seafood hub, opening 1 Aug, is making waves-expect fresh oysters, coastal cocktails and breezy waterside vibes in the city centre. (source)

🍦 Pesto takes on The Walton Arms - Arley. The well-loved Italian piattini brand Pesto is set to take over this historic gastropub. (source)

🏳️‍🌈 Kaleidoscope Festival celebrates inclusion in Chester (7-11 Jul). Storyhouse’s inclusive arts festival returned with Disability Pride events, creative workshops, and accessible performances, bringing colourful energy and community spirit. (source)

🪴 12 Cheshire gardens open in July for the National Garden Scheme. Twelve private gardens across the county - including Alvanley Hall, Macclesfield & Barbour Lane, Malpas, all opened to the public to support nursing charities. (source)

🍽️ Kiki’s Table, Sandbach - Opened 6 Jul. A fresh Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is opening in Sandbach Market Square this Sunday (6 Jul). Expect relaxed dining with fresh, flavour-forward dishes and a laid-back vibe. (source)

🌟 Community Highlights

• Summer grants open with £15k available - Cheshire Community Foundation invites bids to tackle poverty, isolation and health inequalities, with deadlines in July. 👉 Details
  

• Warrington - ‘Slidie Sliderson’ Slide Park Coming. A brand-new, 25,000 sq ft slide park from the creators of Total Ninja is heading to Warrington’s Cockhedge Shopping Centre, promising big family fun and 35-40 local jobs. (source)
  

• Winsford Market makeover on the table - Cheshire West & Chester Council’s cabinet will review redevelopment plans for Winsford Market, including new stalls and community areas aimed at revitalising the town centre. (source)
  

• Ellesmere Port “Touch the Moon” arts event announced for August

  Cheshire West & Chester Council teases a mysterious August installation set to land on the Port’s waterfront - part of their summer arts programme. 👉 Details
  

💎 Hidden Gem: The Cloud Circular Walks - Congleton

Rising above the Cheshire Plain near Congleton, The Cloud offers one of the county’s most rewarding climbs, with stunning panoramic views from its gritstone summit. It’s a local favourite for good reason, and there’s a route for every kind of walker.

🥾 Short & Sweet: The Cloud Circular Walk

This 4.7 km circular route is the perfect intro. Starting at Timbersbrook Picnic Area, it leads you through peaceful woodland, open fields, and up to the summit where breathtaking views await - on a clear day, you can see all the way to Snowdonia. With manageable inclines and well-marked paths, it’s ideal for families, dogs, and anyone fancying a scenic hour or two in the fresh air.

🔗 Take the shorter route

⛰️ Up for a Challenge: Congleton & The Cloud Circular

Want to stretch your legs a little more? This 15.9 km route is a proper half-day hike. Beginning near Congleton town centre, it weaves through countryside lanes, woodlands, and up to The Cloud before looping back via canal paths and quiet trails. With 400m of elevation and mixed terrain, it’s better suited to seasoned walkers and not ideal for young kids, but for those seeking a full afternoon of adventure, this is a proper gem.

🔗 Take the longer route

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for reading The Cheshire Buzz! See you next Thursday - same time, same inbox.