A weekend in Chester with older parents

This weekend is built around four unhurried visits and two good lunches, with no more than three stops a day. Saturday pairs the grand rooms of Haigh Hall with the Horwich Heritage Centre. Lunch at The Lancashire Bread House, which holds a 5/5 food hygiene rating, breaks up the 22 miles between them. Sunday is more compact still. John Lennon's Childhood Home and Speke Hall, both National Trust, are 3.2 miles apart in total, and The Coffee House, also rated 5/5 for hygiene, is just 0.6 miles from the morning visit.

If you're arriving by rail, Chester is the nearest station. For a base, Henlle Hall Cottages sleeps four and sits 1.3 miles from Gobowen station. The Stables at Littleborough also sleeps four and is near a bus stop. For a larger family gathering, Lakeside House sleeps 30. It's worth checking access and seating with each venue before you set off.