With the weather not at its best during the first months of the year we've made a point of selecting a few indoor, as well as outdoor, attractions for all the family.

Not too far away for a decent day out, Cheshire has lots to offer.

Blakemere Craft Centre:

Relaxed shopping in some unique gift shops selling fashion, furniture, beauty products and soft furnishings. There's also everything for the garden, so you can at least dream about the good weather to come!

Blakemere is a great day out for all the family with craft activities for the kids including pottery, card making and an indoor playbarn. There's also an outside fair (weather permitting of course)

Most of the craft shops are situated in a restored Edwardian stable block built around a courtyard.

The actual Blakemere Hall was demolished in 1950 and the masonry and internal panelling shipped to America. More recently the stable block was used to house race horses and a piggery.

The centre also puts on regular falconry displays, live entertainment in the courtyard and boasts an aquatic centre.

In the 1890s, Edward V11, the then Prince of Wales, visited Blakemere regularly for, so it is said, some pretty wild parties! So wild, in fact, that once the revellers were over, joiners had to be brought in to mend the furniture!

Visits by the public today are a much more sedate affair and there is a licensed restaurant on site serving meals, drinks and afternoon teas.

That, teamed with over 30 shops and other attractions, make for a perfect day out "inside".

The Lady Lever Art Gallery:

The gallery houses many world famous masterpieces by great British painters like Turner, Rossetti, Holman Hunt and Constable.

Stunning collections of Wedgewood, 18th century furniture (including Chippendale) and sculpture also add to the international reputation of this cultural treasure house.

Of course, The Lady Lever Art Gallery stands in the picturesque 19th century garden village, Port Sunlight built by Bolton soap magnate William Hesketh Lever (later Lord Leverhulme)for his factory employees.

Named after the famous Sunlight Soap, the glory of Port Sunlight is the gallery which was set up by the first Viscount Leverhulme in memory of his wife.

Prestbury

If the weather isn't too bad and you want to see how the other half live, take a trip through this Rolls Royce of a village (there'll be a few of them parked in various driveways!)

This affluent commuter centre near Macclesfield has some beautiful shops, black and white timber bank, Prestbury Hall and the ancient Leigh Arms, which dates back to 1580. Make a point of looking for Pearl Street -- the weavers' cottages date back to 1686!

FACTFILE:

Blakemere Craft Centre, Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich.

Tel 01606 883261. Fax 01606 310495.

Email info@blakemerecrafts.co.uk

Open all year round Tue-Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 10am to 5.30pm. Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays)

Free admission

Parking available

Disabled access

FACTFILE:

Port Sunlight, Wirrall. Tel 0151 478 4136.

Website www.liverpoolmuseums.or.uk

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday noon to 5pm (not open all year round)

Ring for admission prices

Shops, toilets, disabled access and refreshments available

Website www.blakemere-shoppingexperience.com.