The best way to discover Knutsford is by joining one of our official tours which run throughout the year and may be tailored to suit individual group need, both in and out of hours. Follow your Heritage Centre guide around the town’s streets and discover its rich past and diverse heritage. All tours last approximately one hour and depart from the Heritage Centre, just £5 per person, groups welcome. Booking is essential.
Recent Walking Tour Visitors
103 members of the Lancashire Federation of Women's Institute - coming from as far afield as Grange over Sands in the north, Southport in the west, Greater Manchester in the east and all points in between - enjoyed a very pleasant time with us on Tuesday, 23 April. In groups of 12, our visitors were taken on the walk of theinr choice, Mrs Gaskell and Cranford, by guides from the Centre. The sun shone, there were no mishaps and the afternoon group delayed their departure because they were enjoying their time in Knutsford so much and are definately planning a repeat visit to enjoy everything Knutsford has to offer.
Tour guide Caroline Sherwin said "It was one of the largest groups we've had and all the volunteer tour guides did an excellent job, relaying each group up, down and around the town."
Cranford and Mrs. Gaskell
Travel back in time with your guide to discover Knutsford as the real Cranford. View the childhood home of Mrs Gaskell, see the church where she was married and the chapel where she is buried, and see, also, the shops and residences that would have been frequented by the real Cranford Ladies.
People and Places
This tour takes you on a journey around Knutsford discovering some of its great historical characters. You will learn about Kings and highwaymen, architects and authors, gentry and generals. You will also discover the fascinating history behind some of Knutsford's landmarks: the Battles on the Heath, the old Knutsford Prison and majestic Tatton Park to name a few.
Knutsford Buildings and Architecture
We have introduced two new walks 'Knutsford Buildings (North)' and 'Knutsford Buildings (South)' and their stories.
There are well over 100 listed buildings in Knutsford ranging from 17th century cottages and a Grade 1 listed chapel to fine Georgian houses, an impressive neoclassical court house and a Victorian Gothic town hall, not forgetting of course, the Italianate architecture of Richard Harding Watt. On either of these hour-long walks, you will see the good, the bad and the mad; enjoy their stories and hear about some of their unexpected and famous associations..
Specialised interests
For those with more specialised interests, we are able to offer 2 additional walks to small groups:
- A longer walk of 1-2 hours led by a local enthusiast/expert, taking in the architecture of Darbyshire, Waterhouse and Richard Harding Watt and the stories behind their buildings in Knutsford.
- An hour-long walk - Stories from Stones - led by a local expert, looking at the geology of Knutsford.
Virtual Tours
We also offer 'virtual tours' around Mrs Gaskell's 'Cranford' or the 'People and Places of Knustford' with one of our guides. These are Powerpoint presentations at the Centre each lasting about 45 minutes and cost £3.50 per person.
...or phone on 01565 650506
...or download a form and send it in
