Styal, Wilmslow,
Cheshire SK9 4LA.
Telephone: 01625 445 896 (Infoline).
Website:www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-quarrybankmillandstyalestate.
Email: quarrybankmill@nationaltrust.org.uk.
This
is a major Georgian mill, restored as a fully working cotton mill
and museum, which is situated close to Manchester
Airport, in Styal village alongside the River Bollin.
This is a
highly recommended visit for those interested in the history of
Manchester and its industries. Tours available of the mill and
its hospital, school and the Apprentices' House.
Samuel Greg
founded the mill in 1784, and it is still producing calico which
can be bought at the mill shop. Products were never finished at
Styal - they were and still are sent away for bleaching and dyeing.
Products can
be bought at other National Trust venues. The mill is operated
by former mill workers, mechanical and hand-spinning and weaving
can be seen in progress on the mill factory floor.
The original
water wheel, built by Fairbairn, was 32ft high and 21ft wide but
had decayed so much it was useless and has been replaced by a
wheel from Pateley Bridge in Yorkshire.
It is the
most powerful water wheel still in use in Britain and was visited
by the Queen Mother in 1986. The mill tour takes well over an
hour, but is well worth it.
Is a large
detached house about 5 minute's walk from the mill. It housed
about 60 boys and girls.
The children
came from local workhouses or from parents who could not afford
to keep them.
The house
is now turned into a museum which is open to the public and guided
tours are conducted by an originally costumed custodian.
It can be
seen how the children lived, very basically and primitively by
today's standards, but compared to other mills their treatment
would have been regarded as decent and humane by the standards
of the day.
A doctor and
school was provided for them, where they learned to read and write
- though their main purpose was almost certainly to provide readily
available, trained and cheap millworkers.
GUIDED
TOURS
Average length of visit: Mill: 1½ hours approx. Combined
Mill & Apprentice House: 2½ hours. Onboard coach welcome.
General guided tour, out of hours tours and special interest tours
available including specialist tour with the chief engineer.
PARKING
Parking, 200yds, currently £3.00. Coaches under 12ft high
can drop off/collect from Mill yard by arrangement. 200 yard walk
downhill to the Mill.
ON-SITE
CATERING
Mill Restaurant (licensed), assisted service, 90 covers off Mill
yard. Children's menu during school holidays. Set menu, private
room available.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Telephone
numbers:
01625
445 896 (info line)
01625
527468.
Fax: 01625 539 267.
Email: quarrybankmill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-quarrybankmillandstyalestate
ADMISSION
PRICES
Gift
Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets) Mill, Apprentice
House and garden: adult £14.20 (£12.89), child £7.05
(£6.40), family £35.40 (£32.16). Mill and Apprentice
House or garden: adult £10.50 (£9.54), child £5.25
(£4.77), family £25.20 (£22.90). Mill only:
adult £7.35 (£6.68), child £3.90 (£3.53),
family £18.60 (£16.90). Garden only: adult £5
(£4.54), child £2.50 (£2.27), family £12.50
(£11.36). Garden upgarde: adult £3.50 (£3.18),
child £1.75 (£1.59), family £8.75 (£7.95).
Estate: (Standard Admission) Cars £4, motorcycles £2,
coaches £15. Free upgrade when travelling by public transport
or cycle.
Please
note - prices as of March 2010 - but prices may change over time
- enquire before setting out.
OPENING
TIMES
Open
Bank Holiday Mondays, Boxing Day, 1 January and 15 and 16 February.
Closed 24 and 25 December. Mill: last admission one hour before
closing. Apprentice House guided tours: limited availability –
timed tickets only (available from Mill on early arrival. Popular
school visit destination during school term time. Restaurant,
garden and shop open daily 26 to 31 December. The Garden closes
at 3.pm..
Please
note times as of march 2010 - but times may change over time -
enquire before setting out.
FACILITIES
Shop (gifts, souvenirs, cloth), licensed cafe, toilets, parking.
Wheelchair users please phone in advance - some access, though
certain areas of the mill inaccessible or difficult. Sympathetic
Hearing Scheme - audio tapes. Braille and large print guides available.
Talking Map. Snacks and light refreshments at the Mill Pantry.
Dogs allowed under close control on estate. On lead only in Mill
yard.
