Knutsford's Museum in the Street
Knutsford's Museum in the Street guides visitors through a fascinating walking tour of the town. It's a great way to explore central Knutsford whilst learning more about the historic buildings and landmarks.
Display boards at 10 different locations include snippets of information, alongside old photographs of how the main streets once looked.
If you fancy giving Knutsford's Museum in the Street tour a try, here's what to expect:
Starting at the beginning...

The Museum in the Street boards are mainly situated along King Street and Princess Street. Each features a handy map with the approximate locations of boards 1 to 8.
Numbers 9 and 10 are new additions which are not currently included on the map. These new boards can be found at Knutsford Moor (9) and under the railway bridge on King Street (10)
Although the tour can be enjoyed in any order, it's worth starting at one end of either King Street or Princess Street then walking in a loop to avoid too much backtracking.
For the purpose of this post, we'll complete it in order, with the extra 2 stops slotted in where it makes more sense to include them.
1. Canute Place & pubs
Beginning directly opposite Cranford Cafe & Sandwich Bar in Canute Place, board 1 has a large map and overview of the tour on one side, with more details of the current location on the other.
Standing here, you can see some of Knutsford's oldest pubs. The White Bear, The Old Sessions House (previously The Red Cow), plus The Lord Eldon just around the corner, all have many external features still recognisable today.
If you fancy a quick glance at Knutsford Heath, now without it's grandstand, head across Manchester Road. Alternatively, continue towards Princess Street, turning right to find board 2.
2. Miss Matty's
Board 2, situated outside Gail's Bakery, is one for fans of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford.
Here you can learn how one of Princess Street's earliest Georgian houses was once known as The Matty Pharmacy after a character from the book. Quite fittingly, it's now a WH Smith. I wonder if they sell the book there?
3. The Old Town Hall & The Courthouse
Some of Knutsford's most interesting buildings are included on board 3, which is located by the post boxes opposite The Lost & Found.
Taking a look at the adjacent structure as it now stands, you can see it's still recognisable as the Old Market Hall it was designed to be back in 1872.
A little further along on Toft Road, The Courthouse is another iconic building on the tour with an interesting history. Once a prison housing up to 700 prisoners, it's more recently served as a hospitality venue and is currently up for sale.
4. Step back to Tudor times
A short wander down Church Hill before turning right brings you to board 4, located on a sloped part of the church wall next to the opticians.
This is a great one for views of King Street past & present, with many features still recognisable today. Check out the row of beautiful black & white Tudor cottages and how the view has hardly changed.


5. Going to the chapel
Here, I recommend you continue along King Street to find board 10 under the railway bridge on the left. This includes information about The Old Carnegie Library, Brook Street Chapel, and Knutsford Station. All still part of the town today.
If you wish to visit each of these, you can walk in a loop by continuing under the bridge to see the library on your left (now a children's nursery so you can no longer enter the building). Brook Street Chapel is just across the road from the old library, then wander up Adam's Hill to view the station, before walking back down to King Street and heading towards the shops to continue the tour.
6. A spot of recreation
Time for a spot of recreation, and a detour off King Street towards The Moor. Head through the main entrance of King Street car park to find board 9 just inside the right-hand gate.
This popular recreational spot has been used for such purposes over hundreds of years. Fascinating photos show how water once covered more of the area, with a walking bridge situated where the path now stands.
7. Gaskell Memorial Tower
No tour of Knutsford would be complete without the iconic Gaskell Memorial Tower, which is the next destination. This is easily reached by crossing the little footbridge over the River Lily and continuing through the car park.
Board 5 is located directly in front of the tower, on the wall to your right once you've walked up the cobbles of Cotton Shop Yard. This includes more historic views of King Street, with special mention of the tower and The Cross Keys pub.


8. Continuing along King Street
The final 3 boards are all dotted along King Street, each displaying more facts and images to compare against the views today.
Board 6 is located on the wall above the Malt Street sign. Board 7 is a little further along opposite the entrance to Knutsford Heritage Centre - which is worth a visit if it's open to learn more about Knutsford's history and to view the famous Knutsford Millennium Tapestry.
Knutsford Museum in the Street tour concludes at the Tatton Park end of King Street with board 8 on the wall of The Old Vicarage, just around the corner from another of Knutsford's quirky buildings - The Ruskin Rooms.
Hundreds of years of history in just 10 stops
As Knutsford's Museum in the Street is a self-guided tour of the town, you can complete it at your own pace, staying for as long as you wish at the various locations.
Knutsford Moor is a lovely spot to stop for a while, and Knutsford Heritage Centre makes a wonderful addition if it's open (currently Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm).
You can obviously visit the boards in any order, this is just one suggestion to help you find them all.
There are also plenty of eateries along the way, which means you can stop by some of the establishments included on the tour. How about grabbing a bite to eat in what was once the Market Hall (now The Lost & Found), or pop in to one of the pubs for a pint. Many have retained some original features, so you can sip your drink and learn even more about the history of this wonderful market town.