Quarry Bank Mill, Styal - and more rhododendrons

Quarry Bank House

As part of our weekend away in Manchester, last Sunday we headed out to Quarry Bank Mill at Styal, near Wilmslow.

Working round the weather, and anticipated afternoon rain, we started by walking downhill from the car park to the mill and Quarry Bank House, situated together beside the river Bollin which powered the mill's machinery. We thought we'd walk round the gardens first then check out the buildings later if/when the rain came. As it was, we strayed off into Chapel Woods, walked up hill to the village once lived in by the mill's workers - and then decided we (or at least, I) couldn't face walking back down the hill, and up again, to visit the mill.

The Gregs were by all accounts caring, compassionate mill-owners in comparison to others but the juxtaposition of grand house and mill still jars.

The formal gardens lead to wilder areas, full at this time of year with the exuberant flowers of rhododendrons, and on to Chapel Woods where paths lead further afield, or up the hill to the workers' cottages and chapel in Styal.

Today it's a pleasant country park, a destination for an afternoon picnic with lots to do outside - gardens to wander through, a riverside walk, and Chapel Woods to explore. Only one thing disturbs the peace - the noise from adjoining Manchester airport!

Manchester - getting out of town

I've already written about the time we spent in Manchester last weekend, but just the 'city' part of our stay. As the weather was so lovely we couldn't resist getting out of town and checking out a couple of nearby National Trust properties.

 Our first stop was the Dunham Massey estate situated vaguely south-west of the city. It shouldn't have taken long to get there but we had trouble with the satnav and ended up exploring the winding roads of the surrounding countryside (the same thing happened when we left, so in future I'll take a good old-fashioned map, and save some time!)

Some weekends it's possible to take dogs into the garden, but this wasn't one of them. Even so, we had a pleasant walk, round the moat surrounding the house and old stables, and heading out to explore the deer park. We even saw some deer, who didn't seem at all surprised to see people and dogs.

Miles to roam in the deer park

On Sunday we headed out of town again, this time to Quarry Bank Mill and Styal country park.

Fabulous rhododendrons near the tea room

The apprentice house with vegetable garden

We started our visit with tea and cake, which didn't leave a lot of time to explore - so we headed to Styal village and chapel woods.

It seems an almost idyllic place today, but I'm not sure the mill's workers and apprentices would have thought so, back in its heyday

Workers' housing in Styal village

Although we've been to Quarry Bank before it was so long ago (over 20 years!) that we didn't really recognise any of it. At both places, I think we only saw a small amount of what was there, so sometime in the future we'll be back.