Stockport Air Raid Shelters
A labyrinth of tunnels carved under the town centre that sheltered thousands in the Blitz, explored with a self-guided audio tour. Atmospheric in the best way for 7-and-ups.
The Garden House, Marple
- Cost
- £3.50 each aged 3+, family £12.50
- Ages
- 1 to 10
- Where
- Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Weather
- Mostly outdoors
- Booking
- Just turn up
The Garden House is a charity farm on Lakes Road in Marple, down towards the Roman Lakes, run by a small team of staff and volunteers. Most of the animals are rescued or rehomed: goats including George the mountain goat, alpacas, pigs, donkeys, Shetland ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. The alpacas, pigs and ponies roam free along the riverside walk most days, so you meet them on the path.
Entry is £3.50 each for everyone aged 3 and over, or £12.50 for two adults and up to two children, paid at the kiosk by the café. You can buy food for most of the animals, but you must not feed them your own. The farm is plain that it is not a petting zoo: animals can bite, and children need watching. There are playground areas and a sensory garden as well.
It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and closed every Monday including bank holidays. The Riverside Cafe is a separate social enterprise, usually open 11am to 3pm with mostly outdoor seating, so dress for the weather. The farm car park is small and gets busy. The easier route is to park at Brabyns Brow by the Midland pub, or come by train to Marple, about 10 minutes' walk away.
What it costs: £3.50 per person aged 3 and over; family day ticket £12.50 for 2 adults and up to 2 children. Paid on the gate. Animal food on sale. Registered childminders and professional carers free with ID.
Know before you go
- Park at the Brabyns Brow public car park next to the Midland pub and follow the riverside walk in; the farm's own car park is small and fills.
- Closed every Monday, bank holidays included. The café is usually open 11am to 3pm.
- Buy the farm's feed if the children want to feed the animals; your own food is not allowed.
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