Quarry Bank Mill is one of our favourite Cheshire National Trust properties to visit with kids. We’ve been visiting regularly for years since we joined the National Trust when our eldest was a toddler. Find more great family days out North West here.
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Where is Quarry Bank Mill?
Quarry Bank NT is located in Styal, Wilmslow. It’s easy to find and there is plenty of free parking for NT members.
Quarry Bank Mill address for Sat Nav is Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4HP
Quarry Bank National Trust
Quarry Bank is one of Britain’s greatest industrial heritage sites. It’s home to an entire industrial community where you can explore and learn so much about the industrial revolution and the life of mill workers and owners.
As well as this you can enjoy many family walks through woodlands and beautiful gardens, shop in a National Trust shop, enjoy a picnic or food from the cafes and there is a newly redeveloped play area. On top of this they also regularly have children’s trails and activities running.
Quarry Bank Mill play area
Kids love playgrounds and having one during your family day out or walk is almost an essential. The one at Quarry Bank is fairly small but it has recently been redeveloped and my kids had so much fun on our visit in April 2022 on the new assault course bit. We also liked the mirror and naughts and crosses area for younger kids. The fireman’s pole and tunnel are still there and popular.
Quarry Bank Mill walks
There are so many different options for walks in and around the estate. No matter how long you have and your walking abilities. I’ve included Quarry Bank in my guide to the best pram-friendly walks Cheshire. There are some walks within the grounds and surrounding areas that aren’t buggy-friendly but you can have a very good walk with one. It’s a little hilly to walk down to the mill (and back up) but it is manageable.
The least appropriate paths for pushchairs are the steep gravel path from the upper garden to the lower garden and some areas of the woods. They’re all suitable for children though.
As well as exploring the gardens and the areas around the various buildings, you can also walk into styal woods and styal village. There are so many options for walks for all the family.
The gardens
The gardens at Quarry bank are beautiful and worth exploring. I particularly love the glasshouse and the kitchen garden area, no matter what season we visit, the gardens look beautiful and have something interesting. The glasshouse is always open and free for you to wander around too.
Styal village
A short stroll from the main properties is Styal village where many of the mill workers lived. These cute little properties are definitely worth a stroll around. I also believe this is where the CBeebies “Mr Tumble’s” house is filmed.
Styal woods
We love the wood which even if you are not members you can access via Styal village. Be warned, some areas are very steep but there are paths that you can follow with a pram, especially if you enter via the gate in the gardens.
Without a pushchair you can walk as far as Manchester airport. It’s been a while since we have done this walk but I remember there were a few up and down bits. We did try to see how far we could get earlier this year but the steep path soon got very muddy and it didn’t seem a great idea with kids. We’ll definitely try again when the paths are drier.
Even if you just stick to the lower part of the woods there is a lovely short walk. There is also a bridge which is perfect for playing pooh sticks and a stream that kids can paddle in when the water levels are lower.
Styal Mill
The main attraction at Quarry Bank Mill is as the name suggests the mill. It’s a large mill with lots to explore over several floors. They often have the machines running too so you can see the machines at work (and hear how noisy they are). You don’t need to pre-book a time slot to visit the mill. Just walk in with your ticket.
They used to do lots of great kid’s activities at the top of the mill and I hope that one day these will return. Even without them, there are some interactive elements within the mill that they can enjoy.
Apprentice house
Access to the aprentice house is via guided tours only which must be booked at the visitor’s centre. I took my eldest on a tour of the house a few years back and we learnt about how the children who worked in the mill (some as young as 8), lived in the cramped house and worked in the mill 10 hours a day.
Quarry Bank House
Qaurry Bank House is the former mill owners house. It was restored only a few years ago and is right next to the mill. The house shows off the wealth of the mill owner and his family who lived here. We’ve looked around it at Christmas when it is beautifully decorated and the table laid with a festive feast including turtle soup!
Quarry Bank Mill Shops
If you enjoy a browse around a National Trust shop, you are spoilt for choice at Quarry Bank. There is a shop in the gardens including an outdoor area for purchasing plants. There is a larger shop opposite the mill selling more of the National Trust’s range as well as quite a bit of products related to the mill including the fabric that is still made here (on a much smaller scale now).
There is also a good size second-hand book shop below the main National Trust shop opposite the mill. I don’t know about you but I love a good second-hand book shop and it’s great to see the money going towards the upkeep of these fantastic places. The book shop at Quarry Bank raised £19958 in 2021.
Quarry Bank cafe
There are 2 cafes at Quarry Bank Mill. One is in a really modern glass building in the upper gardens that was extended a couple of years back. There is another in the mill buildings too. There is also a kiosk near the mill selling delicious ice creams and drinks to take away.
Our top tips for visiting Quarry Bank with kids
- Most of Quarry Bank is pushchair-friendly but there is a very steep section in the upper gardens leading down to the lower gardens. It is possible with a pushchair but not easy!
- There are toilets behind the shop and glasshouse in the upper gardens and some more down by the mill.
- Picnics are welcome and there are places to buy food on-site too.
- Dogs on leads are welcome.
- They often have lovely children’s trails and activities, particularly in the school holidays. They are often free or a small additional cost for members.
- Please check * their website for up to date information on prices, opening times and events.
Where to next?
Looking for another family day out in Cheshire? What about another of my favourite National Trust Properties – Dunham Massey
Find more great NT properties for stunning and family-friendly walks – National Trust walks North West.
There are loads more family walks to enjoy nearby. Find out about Alderley edge walks for families here.
Find more great child-friendly walks in Cheshire here.
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National Trust properties are so perfect for kids these days – they really get how to cater for them! This looks like a lovely trip – I have a soft spot for a glasshouse and could spend hours browsing through them. We love a visit to our local one for an easy morning out. The annual membership makes it the perfect trip out for when you need to get out (and with kids, that’s basically at least once a day), but the winter weather means you don’t want to spend all day out somewhere – it’s just too cold for that! We usually end up warming up with a hot chocolate in the cafe by lunchtime 🙂
I’ve never heard of this place before but it’s going on my list now! We are definitely getting a National Trust membership this year so I can’t wait to get exploring x
Having a child makes you go out in all sorts of weather to tire them out doesn’t it. Looks like you had a lovely time though despite the temp 🙂
This looks like a magical place to visit! The little play section for kids has so much learning to it. Your photos are really stunning!
I love National Trust properties and have been fortunate enough to visit a number in our area. I am hoping we can go further a field this year and listed twelve on our bucket list as such. This one looks like great fun although Cheshire is a little far from Sussex. Although I will make a note incase we are very up your way x
I enjoyed your bucket list of your local properties but all a bit far from us. I should write one on those local to us.
This is why we love our National Trust membership, the properties are just perfect for days out with the children. We go all the time to ones near us. This looks a great one, shame we are so far away x
I’m sure you have some equally as good ones near you. I thought we would get sick of going to the same places but it turns out we have enough variety of local ones that are great for us and also the events are really good for families.
What a lovely use of a cold January day. the seasonal area is very clever, it reminds me of our activity hour here on the farm. I wonder if I could create a seasonal station like this somewhere where I leave props and instructions for families to make their own things like nature garlands, I ‘m liking this idea more and more as I type! There is something special about a walled garden and the National Trust do maintain them perfectly. I don’t blame you having your picnic in the car, but well done on getting out and enjoying the short weekend daylight hours of cold.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Not been there for years! Ought to take my kids to being back memories from my childhood
We keep meaning to go to Quarry Bank Mill but somehow never get round to it. We really must go this year!
That sounds like the perfect mix for little explorers. I love old glass houses and imagining the gardeners who would have tended them over the years #CountryKids
The glass house looks beautiful – sounds like another great National Trust place to visit. Su #CountryKids
How beautiful . We love the National trust places and visit them a lot 🙂
Such a lovely lovely place and so much space to wander too! #countrykids