Christmas in Chester: the Christmas market around the Town Hall, the Rows lit up, and the Lantern and Winter Watch parades through the streets.

Tarporley and Whitchurch at Christmas: both high streets switch on their lights, and Tarporley is at its prettiest in December.

Bolesworth Christmas Lights Trail: an evening walk through the castle grounds and woods, lit up for Christmas, with food stalls and firepits along the way.

Christmas at Erddig and Chirk Castle: the National Trust decorates both houses for Christmas, with evening events at Erddig. Wrap up for a walk round the parkland afterwards.

Snowdrops at Chirk & the Sandstone Ridge: Snowdrops: in the woods at Chirk and along the Sandstone Ridge in late winter, the first sign that spring is on its way.

Fireside pub lunches: open fires at the Cholmondeley Arms, the Pheasant Inn and the Carden Arms.

Good to know: Stretton Watermill and Cholmondeley Castle Gardens are closed until spring.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens reopen in March, with more open days from April. The rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias are at their best in spring. Combine a visit with lunch at the Cholmondeley Arms.

Daffodils at Erddig, and blossom in its walled garden.

Stretton Watermill opens in April for weekend afternoons.

Chester Races: the season at the oldest racecourse still in use in England begins in May. Take an Uber in and out.

Spring flowers in the woods at Plas Power and along the Sandstone Ridge.

At the Lakehouse: cherry blossom and magnolias around the lake.

Bolesworth International: international showjumping in the castle grounds each summer, with music, food and shopping alongside.

Stretton Watermill is open every afternoon except Mondays.

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester (20 min drive): Storyhouse's summer season of plays and outdoor cinema in the park. Take a picnic and a bottle of fizz, and book early for the best nights.

Eaton Hall gardens: the Duke of Westminster's private gardens open on a few Sundays in spring and summer, in aid of local charities. Tickets sell out quickly. Pair it with the Aldford walk and lunch at the Grosvenor Arms.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens events, such as the summer plant fair.

The Ice Cream Farm drive-in on a sunny afternoon.

Long evenings on the deck, and bike rides to the Cock O'Barton, the Lost Barn and the Carden Arms.

Heritage Open Days in September, when places like Stretton Watermill and Walk Mill usually open their doors.

Chester Literature Festival: author talks and readings in the city each autumn.

Apple harvest at Erddig: the walled garden grows around 180 varieties of apple, with harvest events in autumn.

Whitchurch Blackberry Fair in October.

Autumn colour in Chirk Castle's parkland, along the Sandstone Ridge, and in the maples and dawn redwood around the lake.

Good to know: Cholmondeley Castle Gardens close for the winter in the autumn.

Guest chef nights at the White Horse, Churton: follow them on Instagram for dates.

Storyhouse, Chester: theatre, independent cinema and talks all year round. It also has a great coffee shop which is surrounded by the shelves of Chester's public library.

Whatever the weather: the Grosvenor Museum (free) and Chester Zoo.

Whitchurch farmers' market every Friday.

William Aston Hall, Wrexham (17 min drive): comedy, live music and touring shows, next to the Racecourse Ground.

Walks in every season: the Bishop Bennet Way from the door, the Sandstone Trail and the canal at Whitchurch.