Group and educational visits to Quarry Bank

Learning opportunities 

The Apprentice House 

Home to the pauper children who worked in the mill, the Apprentice House is a recreated ‘home’ where students can experience life in the past.  

What was life like for an apprentice once away from the mill? Understand the different emphasis in the past on education and learn about the ‘jobs’ apprentices were expected to do away from the mill. What did they eat in order to survive this difficult life?  

It all makes for an unforgettable visit which can be tailored to your Key Stage. 

Explore the environment 

From the dipping pond in our accessible outdoor learning area to the oxbow in the Northern Woods, the estate at Quarry Bank is full of interesting features and opportunities for discovery. Our environment workshops explore the river, pond and woodland, habitats providing a fantastic geographical and scientific learning resource.  

Alternatively, learn how to navigate your group through the gardens and woods using a compass including map-based activities along the way. 

Styal village 

Styal village, which is still a living community, was built by the Greg family for their workforce and reminds us of how the workers in the mill lived. Understand why Samuel Greg built the mill here and how and why the community grew up around it. The peaceful cobbled streets evoke an atmosphere of a settled rural community, but this village was built to house early industrial workers. 

Students catered for 

Primary schools can enjoy a day full of activities to investigate the various aspects of being an apprentice. Learn the jobs they would do, understand the dangers and where they sat in the pecking order at the mill all set against the backdrop of the machinery to experience the sights and sounds of a working mill.  

By combining this with a visit to the Apprentice House they will meet the superintendent to see if they would make the grade to become an apprentice at Quarry Bank.  

Secondary school visits can expect an interactive learning experience drawing on a variety of sources and evidence. Students will be set a challenge at the start of the day, they will learn about the working conditions in a cotton mill to develop their knowledge and use this alongside historical documents to form opinions.  

Universities, colleges, and adult learning groups are hosted here to combine a wonderful day out with further education courses and subjects.  

Quarry Bank is also an ideal place for home-educated groups. Please book your visit through the Learning Office as we are a popular site for schools and cannot guarantee entrance on the day. Home-educated groups are welcome in the week, during term time.  

Education Group Access Pass 

Why not make your school visit more affordable and take advantage of the National Trust Education Group Access Pass (previously called Educational Group Membership). This covers all the children in your school for one year across all properties in the National Trust. 

How to book

We are quite busy with school bookings throughout the academic year, so we advise enquiring at least a term in advance about visiting to make sure your group has a wide range of options and dates to suit your schedule. Our booking office is open Monday to Wednesday from 9.00am-5.00pm.

If you cannot reach us during those times, please do either leave a message or email.

To enquire about educational visits at Quarry Bank please contact our Schools Booking Administrator on 0162 544 5850 or Quarry.Learning@nationaltrust.org.uk

Or to book, please complete this booking request form and send to the above email address.