Most of us have dreamed of having a robot butler at one point or another. Something to help us out with our work or studies, do chores around the house or just bring snacks when we’re watching a film on the sofa. This dream is closer to being realised than you might think. Several tech firms are making advances with machines that are intelligent enough to understand commands and complete tasks with sophisticated AI software. But in our eyes, the most impressive thing about them is their mobility, and this is down to the technology of segways. These are futuristic personal transporters that have 2 parallel wheels and a self balancing internal mechanism. Aside from being used for robot assistants, are an innovative and dynamic way of getting around, so if you want to get ahead of the robotic revolution, we recommend that you come to Cheshire and take a ride on one of them.

This region is a rural county with close connections to the urban centres of Manchester, Liverpool and Stoke-on-Trent. The landscape is characterised by agriculture and forests, and punctuated by stately homes in well manicured grounds. These provide great opportunities for finding out what the ultramodern engineering of segways feels like. Though they might look better suited to city streets, the reality is that they are perfectly capable of traversing rough terrain. They have large wheels, powerful motors and retain their balance even on uneven paths. Best of all, it’s a lot of fun to ride one. And with current great offers here, you can’t turn down this opportunity!

Where are the best places to ride a Segway in Cheshire?

• Tatton Park: When it comes to grand country estates, there’s not much that can compare with Tatton Park. There are no less than two mansions here, one from the Tudor period and the other of neoclassical design, and they sit in 2,000 acres of parkland. Aside from the houses, the park boasts woods, a lake, and a herd of deer. All of this makes it a fantastic place for a segway ride. You can admire the impressive façades of the mansions, circumnavigate the lake or get lost in the forests. What’s more, there are many kinds of terrain to try, from well maintained tracks where you’ll get used to riding the personal transporter, to woodland paths and even off-roading areas. Tatton park is on the outskirts of Knutsford, so it’s easy to access from all directions, including Greater Manchester to the North.

• Blakemere Village: This is a business park and outdoor centre outside the town of Northwich. There’s a top quality installation here, with enough space to put these machines to the test. As well as a network of trails that crisscross a woodland area, there’s a purpose built training circuit and assault course. The latter contains tight turns, bridges and see-saws to really test your balance. Remember, speed isn’t always the priority - you might get further if you focus on precision. Segway rides can be combined with other activities here such as archery or rifle range sessions, or even falconry - a chance to meet some birds of prey.

• Delamere Forest: This is a favourite destination for people looking for an escape from city life. The peace and quiet of the forest, a large tranquil lake, and a viewpoint where you can see as far as Liverpool, make for the perfect getaway. And there’s plenty to do here, including experiencing the thrills of gliding between the trees. Apart from the fun, you can enjoy some wildlife watching here in rare marshland habitats - and there’s no risk of scaring animals away because segways are almost silent.

How long does an experience last?

- Segways have been designed for the fast-paced modern world. They accelerate quickly, turn tightly, and come to a stop as soon as you move your weight to an upright position. Ease of use was also a consideration in the development process, so it doesn’t take long to learn how to use one. Indeed, in Cheshire you can have a quick blast on one of these machines for just 10 minutes! If that’s not exactly what you had in mind, there’s an extensive range of options that last between 30 and 60 minutes, which is enough time for an instruction session, a guided tour, and some free-roaming exploration time.

- The longest adventures take place in Delamere forest. They’re guided tours through the woods that take you to scenic viewpoints. In the course of 90 minutes, you’ll cover several kilometres and start to feel that the segway isn’t just a vehicle, but more like an extension of your body.

Who can take part in a tour?

As you’ll be riding on private property here, there’s no necessity for licences or legal restrictions on ages. Having said that, there are some requirements that you have to meet in order to be able to use one properly. These machines are controlled by weight, and if you’re too light or too short, it won’t be possible to shift the centre of gravity of the vehicle in such a way as to make it move. You need to measure over 130 cm and weigh 7 stone, that’s 45 kilograms, or more to do this. At the other end of the scale, there’s an upper weight limit of 18.5 stone, that’s 117 kilograms.

Fall into the class of vehicles known as personal transporters, because they can only carry one person at a time. That doesn’t mean that this is an individual activity. Getting your people onto a vehicle each and going for a ride together is a really fun way to spend an afternoon. If you’re all new to the activity, you’ll have to work together to find out how to control the machines. If you already know what you’re doing, you can challenge each other to pull off some epic stunts. Groups of up to 12 people are welcome at the centres, so bring your friends, family, or your colleagues for a fantastic, futuristic frenzy!

We’re ready when you are, make your dreams come true sooner rather than later!