Quarry Bank in Styal, one of Greater Manchester's best-known historic attractions, is being transformed this autumn with a Scarecrow Festival featuring a trail, spooky tours and Halloween-themed activities. The National Trust site will host the event from October 3 to November 1, offering an autumnal twist to the sprawling estate.
Scarecrow trail and spooky tours
The centrepiece is a scarecrow trail that takes visitors around Quarry Bank in search of ten unusual characters hidden across the site. The story follows Sally Scarecrow, who is trying to protect her harvest and needs help from visitors to discover the tricks being used by other scarecrows to keep crows away. The trail includes characters ranging from big to small and friendly to scary.
During October half term, visitors can step inside the historic Apprentice House for a special spooky tour aimed at children aged six and over. There is also an autumn-themed indoor play area inside the mill featuring soft play, dressing-up and seasonal games. Outside, the Scarecrow Field will host drop-in activities throughout October, including crafts, games and storytelling.
Interactive folklore app
The National Trust is inviting families to download its new Stranger Folk app, an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore. The interactive game features goblins and other mysterious creatures lurking at historic houses cared for by the National Trust across the UK, turning visits into folklore-inspired adventures.
On Halloween weekend, scarecrow-themed stories will be brought to life by Histrionics, with performances at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm on October 31 and November 1.
Dates, prices and location
The Quarry Bank Scarecrow Festival runs from Saturday, October 3 until Sunday, November 1, with the site open from 10.30am to 5pm. The festival itself is free, but visitors must pay normal admission to enter Quarry Bank. The outdoor scarecrow trail costs an additional £2.50.
Standard admission is £24 for adults, £12 for children aged five to 17, and £60 for a family ticket covering two adults and up to three children. Under-fives and National Trust members go free. Quarry Bank is at Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4HP.
