Good morning, Cheshire 👋

Shakespeare in the woods, flower festivals, street food, and supercars - Cheshire’s in full summer swing (even if the weather hasn’t got the memo!).

Let’s get to it.

Here’s what’s inside this week’s Cheshire Buzz:

• Shakespeare under the stars

• 1940s classic vehicles roll into town

• Hidden gem: Arley Hall & Gardens

• New openings, shoutouts & a local gin you’ve got to try

🎉 What’s On This Week

🐎 Bolesworth International 2025
28 Jun - 6 Jul, Bolesworth Estate, near Chester
A summer spectacular blending elite showjumping, supercar showcases, and celebrity-studded Ride & Drive relays -perfect for horse lovers and petrolheads alike.
👉 Details

🇬🇧 Crewe Armed Forces Day
28-29 Jun from 10 am, Queens Park, Crewe
Military vehicles, dog shows, kids’ rides, re-enactments, stalls, and a vintage singalong - this free two-day family event salutes the Forces in full funfair style.
👉 Details

🎪 Northwich Victorian Fair
26-27 July - 09:30 am - 04:30 pm
A free family carnival celebrating Anderton Boat Lift’s 150th anniversary. Expect traditional games, entertainment, circus skills and workshops.
👉 Details

🌸 Arley Garden Festival
28-29 Jun, Arley Hall, Northwich
Flower shows, specialist plant stalls and a kids’ “Mini Bug-Hunt” trail inside one of Britain’s prettiest gardens.
👉 Details

🎭 Macbeth in the Woods
27-28 Jun 7:30 pm, Norton Priory, Runcorn
A spellbinding open-air take on the Bard’s tragic tale, set among the Priory’s atmospheric trees.
👉 Details

🎶 One Night of Queen
28 Jun 7:30 pm, Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield
All the Freddie moves and pyro you can handle in a 15-acre open-air Tudor garden.
👉 Details

🎭 Romeo & Juliet in the Woods
27-28 Jun 5:30 pm, Norton Priory, Runcorn
A punchy, open-air adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic set in a woodland theatre - expect passion, power, and picnic blankets.
👉 Details

📌 Quick Bites

🐢 Holmes Chapel Zoo is offering five free Fridays (20th & 27th June | 4th, 11th & 18th July). Enjoy a calm, donation-only day out with the animals - perfect for little ones or a peaceful stroll (with a cheeky ice cream afterwards!) 👉 Details

🏃‍♀️ Northwich 10K dashes off 29 Jun; the scenic river-park route still has spots if you fancy a PB.  👉 Details

🌳 National Trust’s Summer of Play kicks off at Dunham Massey - free family challenge passports all summer. 👉 Details

🍷 South African Wine Tasting - 3 Jul, 7:30 pm at Whitmore & White, Frodsham. Showcasing amazing new wines from the Eikendal Estate in Stellenbosch with Dave from Black Dog Wines. 👉 Details

🍸 Local Spotlight: Cheshire Distillery, Siddington

Nestled in an old corn barn on Capesthorne Hall estate, this award-winning craft distillery produces artisan Capesthorne gin using local botanicals and offers immersive tours, tastings, and cocktail masterclasses. A truly immersive tasting experience in a charming, green setting.

For the gin lovers, Cheshire Distillery is running ‘Gin Experience’ tours on the 18th July and 1st August (7 pm).

🔗 cheshiredistillery.com

🔥 Hot & New

🍽️ Street Food Weekend
28-29 Jun, Grosvenor Park, Chester
Free entry, 20+ trucks, tepee bar, frozen cocktails and live DJs till dusk. 👉 Details

☕️ Loungers Café‑Bar
Opening soon, Congleton town centre (the old Boots store)
A casual all-day spot from the Jon Rimmer group serving brunch, cocktails and comfort food in a relaxed setting.

⚽️ GOAT Sports Bar & Restaurant
Opening summer 2025, High Street, Nantwich
With more than 15 screens, a lively pop-up chef menu and match-day buzz, Nantwich’s new home for sports fans and foodies alike is on its way. Follow along with the build and renovations. 👉 Details

🍽️ Pho 
Opening soon, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Vietnamese street-food chain launching its first Cheshire Oaks venue - expect fresh pho bowls and bubble tea during your shopping haul.

🌟 Community Highlights

• Cheshire East bus services rank among the UK’s best - A recent Transport Focus survey shows 88% of passengers are happy with local bus services. A new £5 million grant will fund the upgrade of shelters and the installation of real-time information screens. 👉 Details

• Summer Library Volunteers Wanted (CW&C) - Teens aged 13+ can earn skills helping younger children through the Story Garden reading challenge. 👉 Details

• Kings Moat Community Primary is taking shape. The new 210-place school in south-west Chester has its name and is on track to welcome pupils in September 2026. 👉 Details

• ‘Story Garden’ Summer Reading Challenge - Libraries across Cheshire East & West will run outdoor-themed crafts, science demos and book rewards for 4-12-year-olds all summer (launches 5 July). 👉 Details

💎 Hidden Gem: Arley Hall & Gardens - Northwich

A stunning stately home with some of the finest double herbaceous borders in the country, Arley Hall is a peaceful retreat just outside Northwich - perfect for a summer stroll, stately home wander, or spot of tea in the Tudor-style cafe.

That’s it for this week.

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