TATTON Park, and Jodrell Bank are amongst the numerous tourist attractions offering free entry to Cheshire residents.

Marketing Cheshire has announced the launch of the first Cheshire Residents’ Festival, to coincide with English Tourism Week, as a thanks to people who live in the county for welcoming 48 million tourists a year.

The concept of the festival was borne from the idea that although many people travel across the country to visit Cheshire’s attractions, many residents themselves have never visited.

Katrina Michel, Chief Executive of Marketing Cheshire said: “To celebrate English Tourism week, we are encouraging our residents to put themselves in the shoes of the tourists.

“Our tourist economy continues to enjoy a wonderful growth, thanks in a large part to the continued investment and the innovative nature of our world-class attractions.

“Cheshire Residents’ Festival will give the opportunity for the residents of Cheshire to become even prouder ambassadors of our county, by giving them more of a taste of all that Cheshire has to offer and discover attractions they might not even have known were on their doorstep.’”

Attractions offering free entry, between March 25 and April 2, include Tatton Park, and Quarry Bank Mill as well as Adlington Hall and Gardens, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens.

Jodrell Bank will release 250 free entry tickets to the discovery centre, a chance to explore the world-renowned Lovell Telescope.

Wildlife lovers can visit RSPB Burton Mere or Reaseheath Zoo and culture vultures can enjoy performances at Crewe Lyceum for free, entry to the Port Sunlight Museum and the chance to have a behind the scenes tour of Chester’s new cultural centre, Storyhouse.

To book tickets and for more information visit visitcheshire.com/cheshire-residents-festival.