Places to go for a weekend near Manchester airport

[Pitstop1986]

We're planning a trip up to near Manchester airport to visit a showroom there. We decided to visit for 3 days so that we can go back to the showroom if we needed to change our minds about what we wanted (building a house so lots of decisions to be made!) But are happy to stay up to 30 mins (give or take 10 mins) drive away from the showroom

We live in a very rural area with basic shops/cafés/restaurants/etc, so somewhere with a few nice clothes shops/near a designer outlet and with good cafés and restaurants so that we can treat ourselves to some good food (although not too fancy as we'll be dining with an 18 month old and I don't like taking them to places where people have gone out for a relaxing meal with no kids) Me and DH aren't big drinkers or night owls, so we're not fussed about pubs/wine bars, we'd prefer nice cafés to go for coffee and cake during the day.

Obviously, we're traveling with a toddler but will have a car, so if the shopping centre is driving distance, that's fine, but cafés within walking distance would be fab.

Obviously, Manchester is huge and a half an hour drive from Manchester airport (our preferred search radius) brings up many, many options.

Any ideas?

Chester? Also Cheshire Oaks outlet mall is close by.

It's a little further than 30 mins but I think you'd have a nicer time there with a toddler in tow rather than going into the centre of Manchester.

You could stay in Altrincham, Sale, or Chorlton and have a day at the Trafford Centre - or go a bit further to Wilmslow / Alderley Edge.

Cheshire Oaks is a good designer outlet, usually about 50mins from Manchester Airport

Personally Liverpool is worth a visit as so much to see and do and lots of free stuff
http://www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/

It has some good beaches too should the weather be good

Cheshire oaks is the nearest outlet place (and v near Chester zoo which is great for toddlers), Trafford centre is also good for shopping.

I would stay somewhere like altrincham which has lots of good eating options and is 20-25 minutes on the tram into Manchester if you want to shop

Would also recommend the Trafford Centre. Lots to do there from shopping to eating and cinema/arcade etc. May be worth seeing what they have for toddlers in terms of activities.

Cheshire Oaks is a bit further out and IMO not worth the drive.

For more outdoorsy type activities you could visit Dunham Massey or The Town of Knutsford which has some lovely little independant shops, cafes and a National Trust area just off the main High Street where deer roam and there is a play area and possibly still a petting zoo.

Maybe stay in Altrincham or Knutsford. Easy drive to the Trafford centre if that floats your boat, both are nice towns (knutsford is a bit prettier) both are close to national trust places (Dunham Massey and Tatton park).

Altricnham is on the tram so easy to get to Manchester City centre if you wanted to, the train from knutsford is a bit crap.

You can drive to Cheshire oaks in about 45 mins and there’s a giant M and S near there as well.

I'd agree with Cheshire... the zoo, Cheshire oaks, Quarry Banks is a fab day out as is Chirk Castle

Stay in Manchester and go to Pollen bakery. Order the Basque cheesecake and thank me later.

look around south Manchester along the tram or railway line then you can use public transport into the city centre. There’s Dunham park, styal mill, tatton park, Chester zoo, delamere forest, and loads more to on that side of the city heading out towards the airport and into Cheshire. Altrincham is a good shout but I’m not sure what hotel offerings are like. There’s a travelodge in the town centre but not a lot else AFAIK.
i absolutely hate the Trafford centre, definitely wouldn’t want to stay there! Also check Man Utd home fixtures before you book a stay on that side of the city.