Last Updated on 7 August 2026 by Colette
Sunflower fields are a relatively new thing in the UK but they definitely increased in popularity in recent years. A relatively inexpensive day out, wandering through the sunflowers at your local sunflower field can be a fun and memorable way for families to get outside during the summer holidays.
Sunflower field experiences can vary wildly with some offering trails, maize mazes, play areas, ice cream and pizza whilst others are simply fields where you can pick your own sunflowers. Either way, it’s a lovely seasonal day out and a great photo opportunity!
It’s worth bearing in mind that sunflower season is relatively short – you’ll find most fields are open from late July through to the end of August depending on the weather. Don’t forget – visiting sunflower fields is very much an outdoor activity and usually based in muddy or dusty fields (depending on what the weather has been like).
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
Looking for sunflower fields near you? Of course Manchester isn’t really known for it’s fields so you’re likely to have to travel a bit for your sunflower experience – as such I’ve picked out sunflower farms and pick your own experiences within a reasonable driving distance (under an hour) of central Manchester and have tried to order them according to how close they are to Manchester!
Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of publishing but do check directly with individual venues to confirm!
If you’re looking for places near Manchester where you can see sunflowers, here’s some options for you to choose from:
Sunflower Trail at Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm, 34 Station Rd, Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 5SG – Monday 21st July to early September 2026
About 13 miles from central Manchester (or quite a bit further if you head round the M60) is Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm (not to be confused with the Dunham Massey National Trust site – they are not the same thing!).
The Sunflower Trail and Maize Maze are part of a seasonal offering at Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm (they also do a pumpkin trail in October). The Sunflower Trail and Maize Maze are two separate fields but your entry price covers both of these and to complete the highland cow themed scavenger hunt, you’ll need to explore both fields.
Entrance to the Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm Sunflower Trail and Maize Maze is priced at £4.50 for adults and £3.50 for children – this is paid at the entrance by card or cash. No booking is required.
You can read more about the Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm Sunflower Trail and Maize Maze here:
The Sunflower Trail at Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream – Review & Tips
Kenyon Hall Farm, Winwick Ln, Croft, Warrington WA3 7ED – Saturday 1st August 2026 for around 10 to 14 days.
18 miles from central Manchester, Kenyon Hall Farm in Warrington is well known for it’s PYO fruit (especially it’s pumpkins!)
This summer you can enjoy thousands of beautiful sunflowers in bloom on the Kenyon Hall Farm sunflower trail. The trail covers a relaxing 15 – 20 minute walk with lots of opportunites for photographs!
Booking is required. Priced at £5.95 for adults and £2.95 for children (under 18 months go free).
The Hayloft, Sandy Lane Bold Heath, Great Sankey, Widnes WA8 3XP – opening dates unconfirmed
Open daily, The Hayloft offers a sunflower maze trail, PYO sunflowers (how can you resist?), a coffee shop, stone baked pizzas, Cheshire Farm ice cream (delicious!) and a play area for the kids.
There is no need to book. Entrance is priced at £3.50 per person which includes 2 PYO stems, under 2’s go free.
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Great Budworth Ice Cream Farm, Heath Ln, Great Budworth, Northwich CW9 6ND – from Saturday 25th July 2026
The Sunflower Maze at Great Budworth Ice Cream Farm is now open daily from 12.30 to 4.30pm
A themed worksheet is available from the shop and on return children will receive a prize!
Admission to the Sunflower Maze is charged at £2 for adults and £3 for children. A paying adult must accompany children under the age of 14!
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Libby’s Patch Farm, Shellow Ln, Gawsworth, Macclesfield SK11 9RS – open until Sunday 16th August 2026
Around The Sunflower Patch at Libby’s Patch Farm is open for the summer 2026 season with thousands of sunflowers in bloom ready for you to explore, enjoy and pick you own! You can pick your own sunflowers at Libby’s Patch Farm – these are charged per stem so you can pick as many or as few as you like.
Book tickets for Libby’s Patch Farm priced at £2.64 per person.
Crewe Green Sunflower Garden, Park Farm, Slaughter Hill, Crewe Green, Haslington, Crewe CW1 5UP – from Sunday 19th July 2026
Crewe Green Sunflower Garden is about 35 miles from central Manchester and about an hour’s drive so at this point I think we’re stretching the “near Manchester” vibes but let’s include it anyway!
Priced at £15 per car including one bunch of PYO sunflowers.
Keep an eye on their facebook page for updates and special events.
Tips for Visiting your Local Sunflower Field
- Most North West sunflower fields are only open for around 2-4 weeks, usually from late July until mid or late August, depending on the weather.
- Many sunflower trails require advance booking, especially at weekends so do make sure you check availability before setting off.
- Keep an eye out on social media for updates on the flowers, opening times and special events for each of these sunflower attractions.
- Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.
- The sunflowers will face the sun – which means sometimes will feel like you’re just looking at the back of them, different routes around the field will give you a better view!
- Wear comfortable shoes – the paths will likely be uneven. This summer, due to so much dry weather, everywhere is currently very dry and dusty but would obviously become muddy after wet weather.
- Take water and suncream on hot days as there is typically little shade in a sunflower field.
- Not all fields offer a PYO experience -if you want to pick sunflowers, check ahead and choose the right venue for that.
- If you’re hoping for photographs, avoid peak times on weekends or the middle of the day.
- Sunflower fields are full of bees – who frankly are more interested in the sunflowers than you but it’s probably worth forewarning little ones if they are nervous
If you know of a great sunflower field or PYO sunflower experience near Manchester that I’ve missed, drop me a message and I’ll add it in!
Have a read of these articles next:
Free or cheap things to do in Manchester this summer
Where to get the best ice cream in Manchester
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