Hartford offers an easy-going mix of outdoor walks, woodland escapes, and low-key activities that suit a slower pace. From riverside trails and forest adventures to relaxed sporting sessions, it’s well-suited to solo wanderers, couples, families, or anyone looking to reset.
Here are some of our top picks of fun things to do in Hartford during your visit.
Find the best things to do in Hartford
Hartford is a handy base for low-effort days out. You’ve got river paths and woodland on your doorstep, plus easy rail hops into bigger green spaces across mid-Cheshire. Whether you want a slow walk, a family-friendly outdoor reset, or something more active, you can build a full day here without needing a car.
Begin with the Greenbank Rail Trail, a circular walk that starts at Greenbank station and loops back again. The route takes you out past Hartford Campus, into Clough Wood, and down to the River Weaver.
You’ll cross small bridges and follow footpaths through mixed woodland before entering Marshall’s Arm Local Nature Reserve. Go in the morning for quieter paths and better chances of spotting birds along the river edge. You’ll also want to wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy after rain.
Going into Marshall’s Arm, you’ll find a protected patch of woodland, meadow and riverside sat close to the Weaver. Its splintered streams, woodland and tucked-away paths offer a sense of exploration close to the centre of Hartford. Taking a walk through here is a fantastic choice for solo travellers looking for some low-pressure wandering, and for families who want their kids to have fun on their own adventures.
For a bigger green escape with a clear start point, take the train from Hartford Station to Delamere Station to be dropped right by the Delamere Forest. You can step off the platform and get walking straight away.
Delamare Forest offers a variety of walks, whether it’s gentle trails for a relaxed stroll or longer routes that will get the miles in. It’s a top pick for those days when you want fresh air and space, but you still want cafés and facilities close by. Aim for a weekday if you prefer quieter trails.
To stretch your day beyond Hartford, hop over to Northwich for Marbury Country Park, a key part of the Northwich Woodlands. It’s a perfect fit for anyone who enjoys both idyllic scenery and history.
Walks take you past broad lime avenues and the arboretum, with remnants that reveal Marbury’s past as a grand estate. It has something for everyone, with flatter routes for families with pushchairs, picnic areas for couples, and tree-lined views and seasonal colours for photographers.
If you want your trip to Hartford to be a hole-in-one, book a round at Hartford Golf Club. It’s a nine-hole course designed to be welcoming for different abilities, with multiple tee options on each hole.
It’s a good choice for beginners who want a low-stress introduction, as well as more experienced golfers who want a quick round without committing to a full day. It’s also an easy choice for small groups, too, with a shorter round that keeps things relaxed and enjoyable without taking up the whole day.