Originally known as “Cunetesford" after King Canute, Knutsford is an affluent market town south-west of Manchester. In the early 19th century, a jail was established here and was transformed into a military prison during World War I. In the wake of World War II, the area was developed with housing estates to accommodate Manchester’s growing population.
Things to do in Knutsford
Occupying a reconstructed, 17th-century building is the Knutsford Heritage Centre, which showcases the cultural, social and artistic history of the town. A highlight of the collection is the Knutsford Millennium Tapestry, a 13-metre-long masterpiece that was created by local residents to celebrate the year 2000. The centre hosts changing exhibitions as well as guided tours of the town.
A short drive north of Knutsford is Tatton Park, a historic estate that encompasses a medieval manor house, a Neoclassical mansion and a deer park. Owned by the National Trust, its opulently furnished rooms are accessible to the public and the park hosts cultural events throughout the year. Be sure to explore the Tatton Park Gardens, which include a terraced Italian garden and a Japanese garden planted with maples.
Bird enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a visit to Gauntlet Birds of Prey, where you can get up close to eagles, vultures and falcons. In addition to flying demonstrations and species talks, the park also offers photography workshops and falconers’ experiences. Gauntlet Birds of Prey is home to avian creatures as well as meerkats, ferrets and goats.
Getting around Knutsford
Knutsford is around 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of Manchester and 20 minutes from Manchester Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Knutsford railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Knutsford is best explored on foot.