Journeys of the Imagination: moving to the mill at Quarry Bank

The new Journeys of the Imagination adventure provides many reasons for families to adventure around different parts of Quarry Bank this summer. This new interactive trail, in association with award-winning children’s novelist Berlie Doherty, has been inspired by incredible personal stories from this historic place – one of the UK’s most significant (and much-loved) industrial heritage sites.

On weekdays from 20 to the 31 August (excluding Bank Holiday Monday), discover more about the life of farm girl and mill worker Rebekah Steevens who travelled to work at Quarry Bank from Buckinghamshire with her family, most probably by canal. Activities include a canal boat set to create your own nautical experiences. Find out more about how many people migrated north in search of work during the Industrial Revolution and imagine together what such a journey would have been like.

Meet the character of Rebekah herself on the mill meadow to discover more about her story and make your own apple boat to sail down the canal. Make origami roses too, reflecting on the traditional rose artwork on canal boats of this time.

Each day this summer holiday families can also catch the Journeys of the Imagination It’s Your Choice Show in the garden where you get to decide which direction the adventure will take. Follow the tale of escapee mill apprentice William Tittensor to become a runaway and go on a scavenger hunt in the Apprentice House garden to find everything you need to escape the clutches of the mill manager.

Pick up a passport and find the five other fascinating personal stories across the site. The Journeys of the Imagination trail promises adventuring of the highest order together, and many reasons to return to explore this gloriously restored and reinterpreted destination over the months ahead.

Quarry Bank is one of the most picturesque places in the region to visit at all times of year, from the excitement of the gushing river Bollin, the wild woodland, expansive meadows and beautifully restored dramatic cliffside gardens complete with caves, glasshouse, winding paths, beautiful planting and picture-perfect views to explore. It’s good news for families all round that some of the incredible stories can be explored outside in this way.

Quarry Bank admission charges apply.