Farms, zoos and animal days out near Altrincham, Sale & Manchester

October 2026

Moonlight Pumpkin Evenings Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport · 25 min Sat 17, Sat 24 and Sun 25 Oct, 5-8pmUnder £10

Pumpkin Picking at Brookheys Farm Brookheys Farm, Dunham Massey · 15 min Date unconfirmed · Weekends only 4-26 Oct per North West for Kids (not the full month); book a slot onlineUnder £10

Pumpkin Patch and Maze at Pye Ash Farm Pye Ash Farm, Bosley, Macclesfield · 45 min Select dates throughout October (farm says "select dates" - check the Beyonk calendar; earlier listing showed weekends plus Mon 26 and Tue 27 Oct); sessions to 4pm, closes 5pm; hourly sheepdog demonstrations£10–25

Grange Farm Pumpkin Festival (timed pumpkin field, funfair, carving tent) Grange Farm, Lowton, Warrington · 35 min Date unconfirmed · Weekends 17-18 and 24-25 Oct plus 27-30 Oct; two-hour slots from 10am, field closes 4.45pm; pre-booking essentialUnder £10

Farmer Bertie's Pumpkin Patch (walk-in picking) Farmer Bertie's, Glazebury, Warrington · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; walk in, pay for what you pickFree

Halloween on the Farm (pumpkin patch, carving tent, Wizard School and show) Lancaster Park & Animal Farm, Chadderton, Oldham · 35 min Weekends 10-11 and 17-18 Oct, then daily 23-31 Oct; farm 9.30am-4pm (last entry 3pm); Wizard School 9.30am-3pm; online booking only, no cash at the gate£10–25

Halloween Pumpkin Festival at Reddish Vale Farm Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport · 25 min 10–31 OctUnder £10

Indoor Pumpkin Patch and free Autumn Pumpkin Trail Summerseat Garden Centre, Bury · 45 min Daily 9am-6pm; free entry, woodland-themed patch with scarecrows and photo spots; bookable extras: Lancashire Hawks and Owls Mon 26 Oct, Pumpkin Patch Magic School Thu 29 OctFree

Pumpkin Festival at Kenyon Hall Farm Kenyon Hall Farm, Croft, Warrington · 25 min Daily until Sat 31 Oct, 9am–5pm; advance booking onlySelling fastUnder £10

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Special at Smithills Open Farm Smithills Open Farm, Bolton · 45 min Pumpkin patch Sat 17 and Sun 18 Oct, then daily Sat 24-Sat 31 Oct, 10am-5pm; Halloween Special 24-31 Oct£10–25

Pumpkin Patch at Cannon Hall Farm (free craft zone, VR spooky ride, farm admission included) Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley · 65 min Farm from 10am, patch closes 4pm, choose arrival time; weekdays 19-23 Oct £8.95, 18 Oct and 24-31 Oct £12.95£10–25

Pumpkin Patch at Tatton Farm Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Selected dates only£10–25

Bugs and Beasties Detective Trail Lyme Park, Disley · 35 min 11am-4pmUnder £10

Halloween at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo · 45 min Daily 10am-4:30pm, last entry 3:30pm£25+

Seven Sisters Pumpkin Patch and Creamatorium maize maze Seven Sisters Ice Cream Farm, Knutsford · 25 min Open Fri 16, Sat 17, Sun 18, Fri 23, Sat 24, Sun 25, Wed 28 - Sat 31 Oct, Sun 1 Nov (11am-4/5pm). Closed Mon 19 - Thu 22 and 26-27 OctFree

Spooky World Fun-By-Day at Apple Jacks Adventure Farm (daytime, no scares, free pumpkin) Apple Jacks Adventure Farm, Stretton, Warrington · 25 min Sun 18 Oct, then daily Sat 24 Oct–Sun 1 Nov, 10am–4pm (site closes 4.30pm)£10–25

The Great Pumpkin Picking Adventure at Windmill Animal Farm Windmill Animal Farm, Burscough, Lancashire · 55 min Open daily from 10 Oct through half term (end date not stated on the farm site); all-indoor pumpkin patch; Heebie Jeebie live shows 1.30pm and 3.30pm on 10, 11, 17, 18 Oct and every day of half term£25+

The Pumpkin Patch at Cockfields Farm Cockfields Farm, Ashton-under-Lyne · 35 min Main Pumpkin Patch every weekend in October and daily through half term (24 Oct-1 Nov), 10am-4pm; Pumpkin Patch After Dark evenings 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 Oct; Mini Pumpkin Patch midweek in term time; Pumpkin Smashing Sun 1 Nov£10–25

The Wind in the Willows family garden trail RHS Garden Bridgewater, Worsley · 25 min Every day until December 2026 during garden hours£10–25

Our Story with David Attenborough (immersive experience) Chester Zoo, Upton, Chester · 45 min Daily 10.30am-4.30pm in 50-min slots (not 25-26 Dec, 20 Jan); evening showings Thu-Sun until 9 Nov£10–25

Dead or Alive: Birds in our World Manchester Museum · 25 min Mainly an online exhibition on the museum's collections website; check with the museum what's on show in the buildingFree

Pumpkin Patch After Dark at Cockfields Farm Cockfields Farm Park, Ashton-under-Lyne · 40 min Selected evenings 5pm-8pm; festoon lights, Jack and Sally on stilts, Sanderson Sisters disco, animals, carousel; free pumpkin per ticket; not a scare event£10–25

Big Kid Circus: Jurassic (dinosaur animatronics) Haydock Park Racecourse car park, Newton-le-Willows · 35 min Run 23 Oct-1 Nov; the 23 Oct show is 7pm; check other times on Eventbrite£10–25

Steve Backshall's Deadly Live! M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool · 55 min Sat 24 Oct, doors 1pm, show 2pm£10–25

Pumpkin picking and carving sessions at Jersey Girls dairy farm Jersey Girls, Bury · 40 min Date unconfirmed · Daily 24-31 Oct, booked one-hour sessions£10–25

World of Wizardry (20-minute wizarding class) The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall, Chester · 55 min Timed 20-minute sessions daily 24-31 Oct; SEN-friendly sessions also runSEN sessionUnder £10

Boo! Planet Aquarium (Halloween half term) Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port · 45 min Daily 10am-5pm£25+

Fang-tastic Halloween Festival at Matlock Farm Park Matlock Farm Park · 75 min 10am-5pm; Elphaba and Glinda meet 24 Oct; Halloween characters 28-31 Oct£10–25

Half Term Fun at Chatsworth Farmyard (Halloween crafts, face painting, pumpkin carving) Chatsworth House, Bakewell · 75 min Pumpkin carving until 31 Oct; farmyard last entry 4.30pm; house open until 1 Nov£10–25

Halloween at Knowsley Safari Knowsley Safari, Prescot · 40 min 24 Oct – 1 Nov£25+

Halloween at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster · 80 min Park 9.45am-5pm, last entry 3pm£25+

Spooky fun at RHS Bridgewater (Wicked Plants trail, ZooLab potions, spooky grass heads) RHS Garden Bridgewater, Worsley · 25 min Spooky plants trail daily 24 Oct-1 Nov; ZooLab potion sessions Tue 27 and Wed 28 Oct (£5, book); spooky grass heads drop-in 24, 30, 31 Oct 11am-3pm; spell-bag making 26 and 29 Oct (£3, ages 7+)£10–25

SUPER Natural: October half term at WWT Martin Mere (willow wands, potions, canoe adventure, pumpkin carving) WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, Lancashire · 55 min Daily; wand/potion/owl-pellet/silent disco 12–3pm, canoe adventure 1–3pm, pumpkin carving 12–3pm (24–30 Oct), fancy dress comp 1pm Sat 31 Oct£10–25

Wizarding Wildlife School VIP Experience Blackpool Zoo · 70 min VIP experience starts daily 10:30am£25+

The Wind in the Willows (Box Tale Soup puppet show) Storyhouse, Chester · 55 min Sun 25 Oct, 11.30am and 2pm; 60 minutes no interval£10–25

Frightfully Fascinating Workshop with Animal Teach Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Mon 26 Oct, sessions 10.30am, 12pm and 1.30pm£10–25

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min Mon 26 Oct - Sun 1 Nov; check times£10–25

Meet & Feed the Alpacas (Buzz and Woody) Bents Garden & Home, Glazebury · 25 min Tue 10-11am; tickets required for adults and childrenSold outUnder £10

Spooky Halloween Reptile Extravaganza (Torrs Exotics meet and greet, lunch included) Mabel's Cafe & Tea Room, Altrincham · 10 min Wed 28 Oct, from 2.30pm£10–25

Halloween Party at The Ice Cream Farm The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall · 55 min Thu 29 & Fri 30 Oct, 4.30pm-6pm£10–25

Creepy Crawly Halloween Experience Flixton House, Urmston · 20 min Fri 30 Oct, 11am–12pm or 12.20–1.20pmUnder £10

Halloween Fright Night at Smithills Open Farm Smithills Open Farm, Bolton · 45 min Sat 31 Oct, timed slots from 5.30pm£10–25

September 2026

Pumpkin Fest at The Lambing Shed The Lambing Shed, Knutsford · 25 min Weekends and school-holiday midweek; choose date at booking; ticket-only, no walk-insUnder £10

Pumpkin Picking at Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream, Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 10 min Pumpkin patch open until 31 Oct; parlour and cafe 12-5pm daily (start date not stated on the farm site)Under £10

Ascarium: Tricks & Treats Sea Life Manchester, Trafford Centre · 15 min 26 Sep – 8 Nov£10–25

July 2026

Wild Things: free animal storybook exhibition The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min 18 Jul – 1 NovFree

November 2026

Bonfire and Firework Spectacular at Cannon Hall Farm (quiet fireworks, kids disco) Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley · 65 min Kids disco from 2pm, bonfire 5pm, fireworks 6pm; all-day farm admission included£10–25

Steve Backshall's Deadly Live! Winter Gardens Opera House, Blackpool · 70 min Sun 1 Nov, 2pm (doors 1.30pm)£25+

Tiny Tots Zoo Adventure Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 25 min Thu 5 Nov, 1–2pmUnder £10

Vale Fire & Fireworks Festival Reddish Vale Farm, Reddish, Stockport · 25 min From 5pm; fireworks choreographed to music£10–25

Cockfields Farm Fireworks (low-bang, Disney music) Cockfields Farm, Ashton-under-Lyne · 35 min Farm opens 4pm, fireworks 7pm£10–25

Fireworks and Fun (low-noise firework finale) The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall, Chester · 55 min Sat 7 Nov, entry from 2.30pm, fireworks about 6.30pm (Visit Cheshire also lists Sun 8 Nov)£10–25

Walk an Alpaca around the Walton estate (adult plus child aged 8-14) Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 35 min Sat 7 Nov, 9.30am£25+

Lanterns & Light at Chester Zoo Chester Zoo · 45 min Selected dates, 4.30pm–8pm timed entry (Anytime tickets available)£10–25

RSPCA Altrincham branch Christmas Fair (with visiting owls) The Larkhill Centre, 13 Thorley Lane, Timperley · 10 min Date unconfirmed · Saturday 12 noon–3pm. Craft stalls, tombola, toys and cakes, plus owls to meet.Free

Zoology Club with Animal Teach (hands-on animal encounters by age group) Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Sat; sessions 10.15am, 11.45am or 1.15pm by age group£10–25

Winter Illuminations at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster · 80 min 14-15, 20-22, 26-29 Nov; 3-6, 10-24, 26-31 Dec; 1-3 and 9 Jan; closes by 9pm; trail about 90 min£10–25

Enchanted at Knowsley Safari (illuminated Foot Safari) Knowsley Safari, Prescot · 40 min Selected dates 20 Nov–23 Dec, eveningsSEN sessionUnder £10

Santa at Knowsley Safari (daytime and Enchanted-evening grotto) Knowsley Safari, Prescot · 40 min Evening grotto 20 Nov–23 Dec with Enchanted; daytime grotto 21 Nov–24 Dec with safari admission; SEN evening 9 Dec£10–25

Christmas Craft Market at The Lambing Shed The Lambing Shed, Knutsford · 30 min Sat 21 Nov from 10am, Sun 22 Nov to 4pmFree

Festive Junior Farmers at Kenyon Hall Farm (indoor tree forest, tractor ride, craft) Kenyon Hall Farm, Croft, Warrington · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Every weekend from Sat 21 Nov; 45-60 min sessions (end date not yet published)On sale Sun 1 Nov£10–25

Cockfields Christmas Experience (Cockfields Express to the North Pole) Cockfields Farm Park, Ashton-under-Lyne · 40 min Selected dates from 21 Nov (28-29 Nov, 5-6, 12-13, 19-24 Dec listed); train to the North Pole, post office, private grotto, enchanted forest, Mrs Claus biscuit decorating, elf show, Build-a-Bear; SEN sessions also from 21 Nov; up to 45% off early datesSEN session Sat 21 Nov£25+

Father Christmas at the Farm Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Selected dates, 10:30am-4pm£10–25

Festive Skating at The Lambing Shed (Christmas on the Farm) The Lambing Shed, Knutsford · 25 min 1-hour sessions (45 mins skating); socks and gloves required; individual session times on booking page£10–25

Storytime with Father Christmas at Chatsworth Farmyard Chatsworth House, Bakewell · 75 min 28 Nov-13 Dec sessions include Christmas at Chatsworth entry; 18-23 Dec farmyard-only; relaxed 5 Dec, autism-friendly 21-22 DecRelaxed Sat 5 Dec£25+

Farmer Christmas (reindeer, private Santa visit and toy shop) Farmer Ted's Adventure Farm, Downholland, Ormskirk · 60 min 28 Nov - 24 Dec 2026; timed sessions£25+

Santa and the Reindeer Rangers at Cannon Hall Farm Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley · 65 min 28-29 Nov; 5-6, 12-13, 19-24 Dec only£25+

The North Pole Experience Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport · 25 min 9:30am-4:30pmSEN session£10–25

Tiny Tots Christmas Zoo Adventure (ages 3-5) Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 35 min Mon 30 Nov, 10.30am–12pm£10–25

Mr Popper's Penguins (Pins and Needles musical with penguin puppets) Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min Public shows weekends and 19–27 Dec, times vary; BSL and relaxed performance Sat 5 Dec 11am; 60 mins, age 3+Relaxed Sat 5 Dec£10–25

December 2026

Christmas at the Zoo (guided tour of the Children's Zoo plus bauble craft) Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington · 35 min Selected dates 5–19 Dec, 10.30am–11.30am session£10–25

Sail to Santa (boat trip to Santa's Island, elves' workshop crafts) WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough, Lancashire · 55 min 5, 6, 12, 13, 19–23 Dec; timed boat slots, last boats from 3pm, activities end 4pm£10–25

Christmas on the Farm (grotto with Mrs Claus story) Lancaster Park & Animal Farm, Chadderton, Oldham · 35 min 5-6, 12-13 and 17-24 Dec; farm 9.30am-4pm, last entry 3pm; online booking only, bring cash for extras£10–25

Polar Bear Santa's Grotto Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster · 80 min 5-6, 12-13 and 19-24 Dec£10–25

Santa at SEA LIFE Blackpool SEA LIFE Blackpool · 85 min 5-6, 12-13, 19-23 Dec 10.15am-3pm; 24 Dec 10.15am-1pm£10–25

Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs Aviva Studios, Manchester · 25 min Tue 8 Dec - Wed 6 Jan£10–25

Santa's Grotto at The Ice Cream Farm The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall · 55 min Date unconfirmed · Ticket includes all-day entry and two scoops of ice cream in a collectible Christmas mugSEN session£10–25

Deer Feed Trailer Ride with the Rangers (Christmas holidays) Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Wed 16 Dec 2026, 9.30-11am; meet at Main Car Park£10–25

Zoology Club with Animal Teach (hands-on animal encounters) Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Sat 19 Dec 2026; age-banded timeslots£10–25

Breakfast with Scuba Santa Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellesmere Port · 45 min Date unconfirmed · 20–24 DecNot on sale yet£10–25

January 2027

Winter Welly Walks at Kenyon Hall Farm (free self-led farm trails with activity sheet) Kenyon Hall Farm, Croft, Warrington · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Farm says walks return 'in January and February 2027'; open daily from 9am, last entry 4pm; no bookingFree

February 2027

Dear Zoo Live! Stockport Plaza · 25 min Sat 6 Feb 1.30pm; Sun 7 Feb 11am£10–25

Gordon Buchanan: Lions and Tigers and Bears (wildlife filmmaker live) The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min Mon 7.30pm (February half term)£10–25

Dinosaur World Live The Lowry, Salford · 18 min Mon 15-Thu 18 Feb 2027 (Feb half-term); 50 mins + 15-min meet & greet; times TBCNot on sale yet£10–25

Deer Feed Trailer Ride with the Rangers (February half term) Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Wed 17 Feb 2027, 9.30-11am; meet at Main Car Park£10–25

The Dinosaurs Are Back! (Dommy B) The Met, Bury · 40 min Wed 17 Feb 2027 (Feb half-term), 2pm£10–25

Amazing Animals (life-size puppet animal show) Lyceum Theatre, Crewe · 45 min Thu 18 Feb (half term), 2.30pm£10–25

Reaseheath Lambing & Zoo Weekend (newborn lambs, mini zoo, farmers' market) Reaseheath College farm and Mini Zoo, Nantwich · 50 min Sat and Sun 10am-4pm, last entry 3pm£10–25

March 2027

Reaseheath Lambing & Zoo Weekend (second weekend) Reaseheath College farm and Mini Zoo, Nantwich · 50 min Sat and Sun 10am-4pm, last entry 3pm£10–25

Amazing Animals (life-size puppet show) Buxton Opera House · 45 min Sun 7 Mar 2027, 2.30pm (1hr 20 plus interval)£10–25

Palm Sunday parade with a donkey St George's Church, Altrincham · 10 min Sunday 11.15am–12.15pm. All-age service with a short parade, palm branches and a real donkey.Free

Easter Egg Hunt at Kenyon Hall Farm (returns March 2027) Kenyon Hall Farm, Croft, Warrington · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Exact dates not yet announced - the farm only says the hunt 'will return in March 2027'; dates shown are the Easter school holidayNot on sale yetUnder £10

Farmer Ted's Easter Eggstravaganza (lambs, Easter bunny, Eastersaurus dinosaurs) Farmer Ted's Adventure Farm, Ormskirk · 55 min Daily 10am–4pm through the Easter holidaysNot on sale yet£10–25

April 2027

The Last Wild (Unicorn / National Theatre world premiere) The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min Wed 2.30pm; Thu 11am (autism-friendly) & 2.30pm; Fri 2.30pm & 7pm; Sat 11am (BSL) & 2.30pm£10–25

Natural History Museum Presents Dinosaurs Live Buxton Opera House · 45 min Sun 11 Apr 2027, 12.30pm£10–25

May 2027

Natural History Museum Presents Dinosaurs Live Parr Hall, Warrington · 30 min Sat 15 May 2027, 3.30pm£10–25

Blue Planet III Live in Concert (Hans Zimmer score, giant screen) AO Arena, Manchester city centre · 25 min Fri 21 May 2027, evening (tour opens in Manchester)£25+

Dear Zoo Live! Lyceum Theatre, Crewe · 45 min Sat 29 May (May half term), 1.30pm£10–25

Roman Day at Chester Races 2027 Chester Racecourse · 55 min Date unconfirmed · Sat 29 May 2027, gates from 11.30am (start of May half term)Not on sale yet£10–25

Jurassic Wild: The Musical Adventure M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool · 55 min Mon 31 May 2027 (bank holiday, May half-term), 12pm & 4pm (doors 11am & 3pm)£10–25

June 2027

Royal Cheshire County Show 2027 Tabley Showground, Tabley, Knutsford · 30 min Tue 15 Jun gates 8am-10pm; Wed 16 Jun 8am-6pm£10–25

Royal Lancashire Show 2027 Salesbury Hall, Ribchester, Lancashire · 60 min Fri 25 to Sun 27 Jun, gates 9.30am-5.30pm£10–25

Arley Garden Festival 2027 (show gardens, Animal Teach, fun dog show, children's entertainment) Arley Hall & Gardens, Great Budworth, Northwich · 25 min Sat and Sun 10am-5pm; fun dog show first class 11.30amNot on sale yet£10–25

Bolesworth International 2027 (showjumping and family show) Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, Cheshire · 55 min Wed 30 Jun - Sun 4 Jul 2027 (weekend 3-4 Jul best for school-age kids)Not on sale yet£10–25

July 2027

Maize Maze at Kenyon Hall Farm (new theme, returns July 2027) Kenyon Hall Farm, Croft, Warrington · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Farm says the maze 'will return in July 2027 with a brand new theme'; exact dates and times TBC - dates shown are the summer holidayNot on sale yetUnder £10

The Nantwich Show 2027 (agricultural show) Reaseheath College showground, Nantwich · 50 min Wed 28 Jul 2027, all day (summer holidays)Not on sale yet£10–25

August 2027

Family Fun Day at the Races 2027 Chester Racecourse · 55 min Date unconfirmed · Sun 1 Aug 2027, gates from 11.30amNot on sale yet£10–25

Meat Up Festival 2027 (food, farming, butchery demos and family fun) Ashley Showground, Ashley, Altrincham · 15 min Fri 6 to Sun 8 Aug; times TBANot on sale yet£10–25

September 2027

Chatsworth Country Fair 2027 (under-16s free) Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire · 75 min Fri, Sat, Sun; gates 9am-5pm daily; tickets valid for one day£25+