Just over the border in Cheshire, and only a stone’s throw away from Manchester Airport, is a magical woodland estate perfect for a winter walk. Quarry Bank Mill is an 18th-century cotton mill surrounded by 400 acres of beautiful countryside.
It’s a location where nature and industry sit side by side. The mill itself is a rare example of a surviving cotton mill and you can still see the machinery in use today.
Nestled in the grounds is Quarry Bank House a Georgian building which was home to Samuel Greg, the founder of the mill, and his family. Contrasting with the building’s grandeur is the Apprentice House, where up to 90 children who worked at the mill lived.
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The site is operated by the National Trust and visitors need to pay (or entry is free for members) to enter the buildings, go on tours and see any demonstrations. However the wider estate is completely free to enter and walk around.
Flowing through the grounds is the River Bollin and there are paths you can follow along the rivers’ edge. The estate was designed for the Greg family to enjoy and contains intriguing features such as folly bridges, gorges and caves.
Nestled in the estate is the picturesque village of Styal, which was expanded by Samuel Greg to provide housing for his workers. It features red-brick terraced cottages and cobbled streets.
On the edge of the village is Norcliffe Chapel, which was built as a place of worship for the workers.
Entry to the estate is free, but admission for the Mill, Apprentice House, Quarry Bank House, and upper and lower gardens costs £19 for adults and £9.50 for children. It’s free for National Trust members. For more information visit the National Trust website.
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