Brindley Theatre

The Brindley sits right in Frodsham's town centre and is a proper little cultural hub - the kind of place that punches above its weight. It's a theatre and arts venue rolled into one, hosting everything from local drama groups to touring productions, plus comedy nights and the occasional musical. The building itself is modern and welcoming rather than grand, which somehow makes it feel less intimidating than some of the big regional theatres.

What you get depends on when you visit - there's no fixed permanent exhibit, so it's all about checking their programme first. On a good night you might catch a genuinely talented amateur production alongside professional shows. The acoustics are decent, the sightlines work, and there's a real sense that this matters to the community.

It's ideal if you're staying at somewhere like The Ridgeway Country Holiday Park nearby and fancy an evening out without driving far. Families with older kids will find age-appropriate shows - though obviously you need to check what's on. Younger children might fidget through a two-hour play, but matinees and shorter performances crop up regularly.

Costs and opening hours vary wildly depending on what's playing, so you absolutely have to visit their website beforehand. Tickets are usually reasonable - nothing like London prices. Allow the usual theatre time plus a drink before or after if you fancy it. It's worth building into your week if there's something on that appeals, rather than arriving hoping for a show. Frodsham itself is pleasant enough for a poke around before curtain up.