Right next door to Manchester Airport is a historic mill surrounded by acres of woodland for families to explore. Quarry Bank - located in the village of Styal in Cheshire - is a unique beauty spot where nature and industry collide.
It is one of Britain's greatest heritage sites of the Industrial Revolution, once home to a bustling community driven by the giant cotton mill there. It’s a place of contrast, where the wealthy owners and poor workers, including young children, once lived side by side.
You can experience what life was like back in the day by watching the machinery turn inside the mill or by stepping inside Apprentice House - where children as young as nine were housed in cramped conditions in exchange for their graft. Meanwhile, you can wander around the stunning gardens belonging to the elegant Georgian home of the old owners, and follow the meandering path of the river Bollin, crossing folly bridges.
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Before the mill was built, Styal village was a small collection of barns and cottages, with residents working on the surrounding land. But in 1784, the valley was chosen by businessman and industrialist, Samuel Greg, as the site for Quarry Bank mill.
As the mill expanded, many of the original farm buildings in Styal were converted into houses, with the purpose-built Oak Cottages for workers added in the 1820s. When Samuel came to retire in 1832, it was the largest textile mill in the country.
The community went on to include a school, shop, bakery, and two churches. By 1939, heir Alexander Greg gave the estate to the National Trust to be cared for and for future generations to enjoy.
There are four walking trails to try that range from 20 minutes long to 2.5 hours. The Giant’s Castle Walk passes through a semi-natural woodland, which is a habitat for many native species and dead wood that is important for the 700 varieties of fungi recorded throughout the estate.
During the walk, you will pass Manchester Airport’s busy Runway 2, where you can watch planes take off up close. Later, you will come across the half-timbered Oak Farm and then Tudor Cottage, made up of some of the original medieval buildings of Styal.
Along the Southern Woods Walk, you can spot herons feeding at the Heron’s Pool Bridge before trying out pond dipping at the mill pond. While it’s an ideal place for a picnic, soaking up the tranquil surroundings, the historic site boasts its own restaurant - The Weaving Shed - and café - Garden Café - both serving a menu of hot food, snacks, sandwiches and cakes.
There is also an ice cream parlour for a treat on the go. Or, you could head further into Styal village and visit The Ship, a traditional cosy pub.
Entry to Quarry Bank is free for National Trust members, but non-members will need to pay on arrival. Parking is free for all visitors. Adult entry is £19, child £9.50, family ticket £47.50, family with one adult £28.50.
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