A family-friendly day out at Quarry Bank

Looking through a magnifying glass at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Quarry Bank is the perfect place for a family adventure. Plan your family day out and discover the things to do and events to take part in on your visit.

May half term

Saturday 25 May - Sunday 2 June

This half term enjoya huge selection of indoor and outdoor fashion history fun.

Outdoor trail - Oh no! The apprentices have hung their washing out to dry, but the wind has whisked it all away! As you explore the gardens and Mill Meadow, see if you can find all the giant pieces of clothing you can spot.
Mill indoor trail - the mice in the mill are helping us here and there. How many can you count? Find the answer in the Mill Yard Shop.
Activities on the fourth floor of the Mill - Calling all Fashionistas! Come and discover how your clothing is made and get hands on with some of the processes. Activities will be offered on Saturday 25 - Monday 27 May and Saturday 1- Sunday 2 June only.
Create your own fashion designs in the learning space. Available Monday 27 to Friday 31 May 11.00am - 4.00pm

Guided toddler walks

The popular toddler walks are back for 2024.This is an opportunity for little ones to try walking on different surfaces for a sensory experience. These sessions run on the third Monday of each month, March to July. Simply meet in the Mill Yard at 11.00am on the day of your choosing and set off for a toddler adventure.

Planning your family visit

Family toilets with baby changing facilities can be found in the Mill Yard and Upper Garden.
Find the buggy store area inside the Pre-Loved Book Shop, as prams can't go in the mill.
Step free paths take you between the Upper Garden and Lower Garden.
The playground and the picnic area are located near the mill Yard.
Highchairs, half portions, and lunch boxes are available in the resturant and café.

Looking through a magnifying glass at fern tendrils on the woodland trail at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

See all events at Quarry Bank

Rainy day fun at Quarry Bank

It's not always sunshine during the Great British summer, but there are lots of ways to keep the kids entertained, and make your summer great whatever the weather.

Join a guided tour of the Apprentice House and discover where child apprentices lived.
Enjoy a puddle walk through the woods under the shelter of the tree canopy.
Shelter from the rain inside the mill and feel the floors shake beneath your feet.
Let your little ones play as long as they'd like at the Tinker Stations in the Brain Power Gallery in the Mill.
At weekends and school holidays to the indoor picnic area to enjoy a bite to eat.
Cuddle up on the sofa in the Pre-Loved Book Shop to decide which books to give a new home.
Enjoy a warm drink and a slice of cake in the Upper Garden Cafe or Weaving Shed Restaurant.
Browse the Upper Garden and Mill Yard shops for gifts and activities to keep the kids entertained.

Don't forget your wellies and coats. We look forward to welcoming you!

A family look at wool in the interactive exhibit at Quarry Bank — A family explore the exhibit at Quarry Bank, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Family-friendly things to do at Quarry Bank

Visit the Mill and other historic buildings

Explore the Mill, Apprentice House, Quarry Bank House and more with your little ones, allowing them to experience the conditions the child apprentices would have endured. These indoor historical attractions are not just for rainy days, children will enjoy stepping back in time.

Enjoy the gardens

There are lots of self-led trails around the gardens to enjoy with your family. Whilst you explore, jump in puddles and play a game of poohsticks from the lower garden bridges.

Discover the estate and woodlands

Head outdoors and get your little ones closer to nature. Spot bees and butterflies, buzzards and beetles. Skip along woodland paths and play hide 'n' seek.

Playground

You can find the playground just beyond the Mill Yard. It's small but perfectly formed, giving your little ones the chance to jump, balance and climb obstacles. Picnic benches are close by in this area.

Enjoy a bite to eat and picnic spots

Visit the Upper Garden Café for a light bite, the Weaving Shed Restaurant for freshly prepared local hot meals and light bites, and of course head to the Stables Ice Cream parlour and choose from the delicious range of Snugburys Ice creams. Find out more here

There are a number of locations to enjoy a picnic at Quarry Bank. In the Upper Garden you will find picnic tables near the Garden Shop, including wheelchair accessible tables.

'50 things to do before you're 11¾'

Head outdoors this summer and get ready to tick some activities off your list of '50 things to do before you're 11¾'. Which of the fun-packed things will you try? Do your favourite activities over and over again, or try all 50 – the choice is yours.