The Courtyard Café, Knutsford

The Courtyard is a café in a cobbled courtyard off King Street in Knutsford, around 20 minutes’ drive from Lapland UK Manchester at Capesthorne Hall.

It’s a genuinely child-friendly stop: there’s a model railway to keep little ones entertained and a dedicated children’s menu, and breakfast is served all day.

At the time of writing it’s open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays except bank holidays), from mid-morning until 4pm — so it suits a leisurely breakfast or lunch rather than an early start.