Fans say it will still be an affordable family day out
The Garden House, Marple, has been running off donations, but it’s not enough
A much-loved family attraction in Greater Manchester is introducing an entry fee for the first time, but nobody seems to mind.
The Garden House in Marple, Stockport, is a social farm and community garden, home to all sorts of animals including pigs, donkeys, alpacas and more.
As a registered charity, the day to day running of the farm and its Riverside Cafe and Icy Bar is led by a team of volunteers and it offers placements to young people with mental health issues and additional needs.
It has been operating with donations, but with rising costs and ‘donations not forthcoming’, it’s now decided to start charging visitors.
Under threes will go free, but for other children and adults it will be £3 each, or £10 for a family ticket.
The Garden House in Marple is a social farm and community garden(Image: The Garden House, Marple)
Alternatively annual memberships are available, costing £12 for kids and adults, or £30 for a family.
Announcing the fees on social media, The Garden House, which has just launched a new adventure trail for younger children, said: “We want to let you know that from 1st July 2025 there will be an entry charge to visit The Garden House.
“We have always operated a suggested donation policy, however, our running costs as a charity continue to rise along with increased demand for our services supporting young adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. Voluntary donations are simply not enough.”
It added: “We also need to be aware of the number of visitors on site. Our team will welcome visitors and take payment at the usual entry gates, and you will receive an entry wristband. Visitors will also be able to book tickets in advance and collect wristbands on arrival.”
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It’s home to a wide variety of animals(Image: The Garden House, Marple)
Tickets include access to the farm site, riverside and play areas and free parking for those who need to travel by car.
Dozens of people have responded to the Facebook post, with most saying they will happily pay the entrance fee.
“Amazing place and such great value. Happy to pay to visit,” said one.
“It’s well worth it. We love The Garden House,” said another, with a third adding: “Brilliant way to keep something so vital running in a more sustainable way. Fabulous.”
There’s a Riverside Cafe and Icy Bar (Image: The Garden House, Marple)
One visitor said she hopes the charges will make a difference to the charity, adding it’s ‘still so affordable for a family day out’.
Hannah Hodgson, chief operating officer at the site, said the decision had not been taken lightly.
“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to a very difficult decision,” she said.
“It was something we have been nervous about, yet shouldn’t have been. The support has been brilliant. Our operational costs are rising just as every household and business.
“Unfortunately, with entry donations not forthcoming, the charity has nothing spare to focus on its primary aims, which are to meet the demand for placements and projects to support young people with additional needs and mental health issues.
“We don’t receive enough money from voluntary donations and so a low entry charge allows us to be sustainable and plan for the future while meeting our aims to enable more people from disadvantaged backgrounds to access nature.”
The Garden House in Marple is a social farm and community garden(Image: The Garden House, Marple)
The charity supports around 50 young people age 14 plus each year on a number of different projects – some on a long term basis, others as a one off.
The Garden House opens 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday, with the cafe open 11am to 3pm. It is closed every Monday, including bank holidays.
Booking is required for groups of six or more. For more details, visit the website here.