CHESHIRE and Warrington’s Members of Parliament have been out in force this week, visiting attractions, hotels and cultural venues that power one of England’s most dynamic visitor economies.
The visits, coordinated by Marketing Cheshire as part of the national English Tourism Week campaign (13–22 March), put a spotlight on this year’s theme: National Stories, Local Growth. It recognises that the places people love to visit are not just leisure destinations, but engines of economic life, community identity and local pride.
In Cheshire and Warrington alone, the visitor economy contributes £4.2 billion a year and sustains almost 40,000 jobs, figures that speak to the very real difference tourism makes to people’s lives, livelihoods and high streets across the region.
Sarah Hall, MP for Warrington South, explored Warrington Museum, one of England’s oldest, founded in 1847, home to Egyptian mummies, natural history collections and a rich record of the town’s industrial heritage, and a reminder of the deep cultural roots that make local tourism so distinctive.
She said: “For English Tourism Week, it was wonderful to visit Warrington Museum and spend time exploring just how much it holds of our town’s story.
“There are so many treasures there, from beautiful pieces of art, including a Walter Langley, to landscape paintings of Warrington, as well as collections covering geology, botany, and Warrington’s industrial and historical past. It was also wonderful to see Old Billy, the oldest horse in the world, who came from Warrington and is now on show in the museum.
“It was great to meet Steph, Warrington Museums’ Development Manager, and hear about her plans to bring new life to the museum, including new exhibits that will help even more people connect with its collections.
“We also talked about the archives and museum stores, which hold many more pieces that are not currently on public display. It was exciting to hear about plans to open up more of that collection, and about Steph’s ambition to start a conversation with Warrington residents about what they would like to see on show in future.
“Our local museum is such an important part of how we understand where we come from, and how we share that story with future generations.”
Meanwhile, Samantha Dixon, MP for Chester North and Neston, took a tour of the city’s Roman Amphitheatre and Gardens and the Deva Roman Experience, attractions that bring Chester’s extraordinary 2,000-year history to life and draw visitors from across the world to the city.
Sarah Pochin, MP for Runcorn and Helsby, visited Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, one of the most visited heritage sites in the North West, where a medieval monastery has been transformed into a much-loved community and cultural destination.
Andrew Cooper, MP for Mid Cheshire, visited Nunsmere Hall Hotel, a stunning country house set in the Cheshire countryside. It was a timely stop too, as the venue had just scooped two awards at the recent Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards, which celebrated excellence across 19 categories from accommodation and attractions to dining and hospitality.
Jamie Christon, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and CEO of Chester Zoo, said: “English Tourism Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the businesses and people who make Cheshire and Warrington such a welcoming and inspiring destination.
“Our visitor economy is built on the passion and creativity of local tourism and hospitality businesses, and their contribution to jobs, communities and the wider economy cannot be overstated.
“When you visit a local attraction, stay in an independent hotel or eat at a local restaurant, you are directly supporting jobs and growth in your community. That is the story of English tourism, and it is one worth telling.”
English Tourism Week is a national reminder of the extraordinary depth and variety of experiences on offer across the country and a call to action for everyone to discover, explore and champion what is on their doorstep.
From Roman remains and medieval priories to Victorian museums and celebrated country house hotels, Cheshire and Warrington’s tourism offer is a microcosm of everything that makes England a world-class destination. Every visit counts for local businesses, for the people they employ and for the communities they help sustain.
Businesses across the region have been encouraged to share their stories throughout the week using #EnglishTourismWeek26, and the celebrations continue with Cheshire Day on 30 March, when residents and visitors come together to celebrate the county’s heritage, culture and unique identity.
