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I only recently discovered this hidden gem. Not so much a place to take the kids as a great place to buy good quality second hand books and toys at very reasonable prices. Cheap coffee and cakes plus a friendly welcoming environment for mums of young kids.

A great park with plenty to interest kids of all ages. The playground will appeal from toddlers up though not too much for really big kids.

The mini zoo which is free has pigs, goats, peacocks, red squirrels, geese, ducks, deer, donkeys and more. Really great for younger kids, well kept and fun.

There is also crazy golf, pitch and put, bowling, a cafe and bike museum.

Only bad point is expensive Warrington Borough Council parking rates.

There seems to be a handful of bird of prey and falconry centres in Cheshire, most of which are quite expensive. Not only is this one reasonably priced £3.50 adults and £2.50 children over 3, it is ideally situated next door to a superb garden centre - Fryers of Knutsford.

In East Cheshire as far as duck feeding this lake is hard to match. Hundreds of ducks, geese and swans enthusiastically jockey for attention of the plentiful children with bread. Plenty of free parking and a cafe for mum and dad to grab a coffee if they've been dragged out far too early!

Follow the A34 south from Alderley Edge. Redesmere lane is the left about 1km after Capesthorne Hall.

So it's true, there is more to Alderley edge than pubs, bars and bistros. Indeed above the village is a superb sandstone cliff outcrop which is the edge which is the villages name sake.

Walk from the village or park on the B5087 toward Macclesfield either at The Wizard or just beyond the outskirts of the village. Plenty of muddy footpaths to explore and rewarding views over Cheshire to discover. The cafe at The Wizard is a great mud and sawdust style warm and welcoming place with oodles of naughty home made cakes.

All round a great way to wear the kids out.

Allow just over an hour for a return trip which costs jet £3.50 for adults and £1.50 for children. Under threes travel free! Ample car parking at the station in Rudyard is free where as the lake parking is pay and display.

The railway is run by friendly enthusiasts and gives kids the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of steam trains close up. The railway runs from Rudyard along the side of the lake through woodland on the course of the old full guage railway which is now a footpath and cycleway.