The attraction has had to close off an area due to visitors not following the rules
16:55, 31 Jul 2025Updated 16:55, 31 Jul 2025
The Sunflower Trail at Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm(Image: Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm)
Bosses at a sunflower trail have had to close off the designated picking area because of people not following the rules.
The annual event started at Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm on Wednesday – with fields of flowers for people to visit and a separate picking area.
But some visitors to the site have been picking from the trail area itself, sparking fears there could be none left for other people to enjoy.
Now they’ve decided to have a selection of pre-cut flowers available at the start of the trail for customers to choose from.
In a post on Facebook, bosses said: “Please note due to some visitors not picking from our dedicated picking areas we have taken the decision stop sunflower picking within the sunflower field.
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“We will instead have a selection of sunflowers available at the start of the trail. Please refrain from picking sunflowers from within the field to ensure as many people can enjoy the field and we can stay open for as long as possible.”
They’ve had to stop people picking their own sunflowers(Image: Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm)
They told the Manchester Evening News they ‘want everyone to have the same experience’ and the opportunity to enjoy the trail in full bloom throughout August and said the action was needed because ‘people weren’t listening’.
Responding to the post, customers said it was a shame such steps are necessary.
“There’s always some that spoil it for everyone,” said one, with another adding: “I was there today and told a couple they couldn’t pick where they was picking from, but still carried on as the sunflowers were the different colour ones but chose to ignore what I said to them. Some people ruin it for everyone else.”
A third said: “I was there today and I saw many doing it, it just spoils it for the rest of people wanting to go. I personally took photos on the lovely sunflowers.”
With families looking for ways to keep the kids entertained through the school holidays, the trail – which costs £3 for kids and £4 for adults – is a popular event for visitors of all ages. You can get one large sunflower or two smaller ones for £1.
The Sunflower Trail at Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm(Image: Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm)
There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way and a scavenger hunt to keep the little ones busy and tickets include also access to the new flower meadow at the site, in Altrincham.
The place has its own ice cream parlour too and sells hot food including toasties and pizzas, as well as hot a cold drinks.
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The trail will stay open until the end of August. There is no need to book, you can pay by card or cash on arrival. Dogs on leads are welcome on the fields in the ice cream parlour, where you can buy them their own doggie ice cream.
Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm opens daily from 12pm to 5pm. Use the postcode WA14 5SG.
Don’t forget to checkout our list of 50 things to do with the kids this summer. And you can find 40 places kids can eat free or for £1 here.