Winter walks at Quarry Bank

Blow away the cobwebs and stretch your legs on a frosty winter walk. Whether it's getting the whole family together for the annual Boxing Day walk, or taking a bit of time out after the festivities and soaking in a favourite view, winter is the perfect time to head out and explore the estate at Quarry Bank.

Download our estate walks

Get ready to stretch your legs and choose from one of our three walking routes - or come back and complete all three! Meander through fields and acres of woodland to see the red brick oak cottages built for the workers of the Mill. Head into the woods where you will find huge redwood conifers and folly bridges once painted by Hannah Greg. Or follow the River Bollin where, if you are lucky, you may see a flash of blue as kingfishers dart over the water in their quest for small fish.

A new accessible footpath in the woodlands at Quarry Bank

Accessible paths

Thanks to funding from WREN and the FCC Community Action Fund we've opened an accessible path in Chapel Woods. The path takes you on a short stroll beside the river Bollin, and is wheelchair and buggy accessible. On your next visit, you can discover the beautiful woodlands here at Quarry Bank.

Spot winter wildlife

Quarry Bank is home to a variety of wildlife and winter birds, some of which travel to us from as far as Russia, Iceland and Scandinavia. Look out for red wing, fieldfare, nut hatches, robins and blue tits which all pay Quarry Bank a visit throughout the winter months. Snow drops will start to make an appearance in the New Year – for one of the best spots to see them, head over to Chapel Woods where 8,000 of them were planted last year.

Visitors catching up over coffee in the winter gardens at Quarry Bank — Catch up over a cuppa

Warm up with a hot drink

Refuel with tasty snacks and hot drinks to take away from the Stables parlour. Or cosy up with a warming homemade soup after a frosty walk, and choose from a whole menu of freshly prepared hot lunches, cakes and bakes in the Weaving Shed Restaurant.

Countryside care

Please stay on the paths to reduce the erosion of banks and damage to plants and supervise children, especially around the river. If you're enjoying a picnic with us then please remember to take your litter home. Please keep dogs on a lead where advised, particularly through Styal village and if entering the garden.