Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm, Cafe and Shop is one of the top places to visit in Holmes Chapel (Image: Reaching PLC)
Just an hour's drive from Manchester, the car features a quaint village filled with independent businesses, cozy tea rooms and even the famous ice cream parlour. This fascinating spot has gained international recognition thanks to its global musical sense.
Cheshire's Holmes Chapel, with idyllic architecture and population of about 7,000 people, was once home to pop star Harry Styles. The village was struck by fame when the young Harry Styles debuted in the X Factor more than a decade ago. Today, this small community is known all over the world. This is primarily from a former One Direction member who won a Grammy Award.
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George and the Dragon Pub in Holmes Chapel (Image: Cheshirelive)
But Holmes Chapel is not just the stomping ground for the 31-year-old superstar's childhood.
Originally named Hulme, the church, the village began as a modest agricultural community of around 400 residents. The introduction of railway lines, railway stations, local road networks and proximity to the M6 caused a population boom in the 1800s and 1900s.
The Parish Council praises it as a “thriving community,” highlighting the ripe surrounding countryside of expeditions through arrays of local shops and amenities and numerous sidewalks, including sidewalks along the Dane River on the northern boundary, Manchester Evening News reports.
Featuring a highly rated comprehensive school, two primary schools and a picturesque village centre with an impressive St. Luke's Church, Holmes Chapel also has a variety of shops and hospitality venues. One such local gem is the W. Mandeville bakery, known locally as Mandeville's.
Mandeville's Bakery is where Harry Styles did his first job (Image: Stoke Sentinel/Reach Plc)
This historic facility has been a community staple for over a century since it first opened its doors in 1900.
These days it is often referred to as “Harry's Bakery.” The watermelon sugar singer worked there before heading out to audition for the famous ITV talent show.
In the heart of the village, there are two traditional pubs, George, Dragon and Red Lion, along with a bottle bank bar. Nearby are handy amenities such as Sainsbury's local Costa and Tesco Express.
Adjacent to the fire station is a shopping district that houses a variety of businesses, including Morrison's Daily and the much-loved London Road Fish Bar.
Surrounded by the quaint cobblestones behind St. Luke. Head towards the southern tip of the village, discover Vic, social clubs and the popular Chinese restaurant Fortune City.
Bidley Daily Ice Cream Farm, a cafe and shop located in Twemlow, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. (Photo: Male)
The village has many families too. Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm has recently experienced the busiest sales day ever thanks to recent sunny spells.
Set against the backdrop of stunning countryside, the farm is ravaged by visitors of all ages, taking in the adoration of the Jodrell Bank Observatory. Despite the countryside environment, the ice cream farm is easy to access. It is only 4 miles from Junction 18 on the M6, near the mainline Goosetray station.
Since its launch in 2021, Bidlea Dairy has rapidly accumulated a passionate fanbase thanks to its 80 spinning ice cream flavors and an impressive array of seating areas, boasting a stunning view of one of Cheshire's most famous landmarks. Dairy has expanded its offering with a selection of fridges filled with a full dairy range, including dairy products, creams, yogurt and family-sized ice cream.
Some of the delicious flavors offered at Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm (Photo: Male)
Ice cream lovers can choose from a rotating menu of flavors in milk and ice cream vending machines. Every day, 24 options are offered and feature attractive varieties such as biscoff, birthday cake, bubble gum, and mint chocolate chips. Everything is on sale for £2.90 for a scoop, £3.90 for a double, £2.90 for a large triple scoop dul for £5 for £2.90 for £5.
Bidlea's assortment also includes decadent ice cream milkshakes made from two selected flavors for a cost of £6. If you're dropping in a cafe, wait for a delightful hot and cold drink, along with delicious snacks like £3.95 cheese toast, homemade soup for £4.50, or £4.50 hearty bacon and sausage bop.
Even furry friends are unforgettable as they are served lactose-free dog ice cream, so we can guarantee that the four-legged guests are well served. Visitors can taste the stunning panorama Vista over Cheshire's scenery and the cafe's outdoor area and over the elevated seating platform, Jodrel Bank, offering customers the unobstructed views of the famous telescope.
Square in the heart of the village of Holmes Chapel (Image: Cheshirelive)
The appeal of the farm has been expanded with the introduction of Holmes Chapel Zoo. It hosts a variety of animals, including Meerkats, lizards, owls and more. The zoo offers educational workshops and hands-on experiences. Visitors can spend up to an hour in vast habitats custom built for Meerkat.
Another must-see when you are in the area is the Goostray home and leisure time. It's not a typical farm shop surrounded by antique farm structures along the A50. It is known for its various local artisan products and boasts fresh vegetables, meat, dairy products and grilled meals.
Goostrey Home and Leisure is a farm, cafe and retail village in Cheshire with free outdoor play areas for kids. (Image: Reaching PLC)
A deep adventure into a modified barn reveals a true Aladdin cave filled with retail delights. With its collection of food stalls offering everything from home and crafts to clothing and garden plants, Goostrey is welcomed as the “ultimate country shopping experience.”
Additionally, there are a wide range of tea rooms on the premises, packed with unique decorations, allowing guests to participate in a hot meal and indulge in a selection of cakes presented on traditional stands. Parents are pleased with the sheltered outdoor seating area adjacent to the main cafe, offering views of the free play area where young people can burn steam.
The playground is packed with fun features such as ladders and slide structures, adventurous elements like rope ladders and footsteps, swings, crawl-through tubes, and sandboxes for drilling.