The Hayloft Cheshire
- Jennifer Kozyra
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 23
The Hayloft Cheshire is a much-loved countryside spot where families can enjoy fun-filled days out all year round. In summer, little ones can wander through the stunning sunflower field, while autumn brings the joy of pumpkin picking and outdoor adventures. A standout attraction is the Whitfield Miniature Railway, offering delightful train rides that become even more magical at Christmas—with festive rides and a visit to the enchanting Santa’s Grotto.
I kicked off my summer in the best way—with a little adventure to The Hayloft Cheshire that involved a miniature train ride to a field full of sunflowers. And the field was absolutely gorgeous and a see of golden yellow flowers.
Top Info
📅 Open daily
🕐 10am – 4:30pm
🚂 Whitfield Miniature Train
🌻 Sunflower trail open from Friday 11th July 2025
☕ Café serves breakfast, lunch, snacks
🍦 Cheshire farm ice cream
Indoor and outdoor seating available
🐐 Meet farm animals
Undercover children's play area
Seasonal events including Pumpkin Patch and Santa Train
Sandy Lane Farm, Sandy Lane, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 3XP
🚂 The Cutest Train Ride
To get to the sunflower field, you hop on the Whitfield Light Railway which was such a fun way to start the visit. It's £2 for a single or £3.50 return for an adult or £3 for a child, and it takes you on a short ride through the grounds before dropping you off right by the sunflowers.
🌻 Fields of Yellow Sunflowers
The sunflower field itself was gorgeous. The flowers were a bit shorter than usual, which actually made it even more beautiful—you could see the yellow heads stretching right across the field. It’s £5 per person to enter, and that includes picking two stems to take home (which is such a nice touch).
There’s also a cute little activity for the kids (and adults if you’re feeling competitive!). You search for boards hidden in the sunflowers, each with a letter on. Once you find them all, you unscramble the letters to work out a secret phrase—and you get a bag of Haribo as a prize!
🥪 Time for Food
No visit to The Hayloft Cheshire is complete without a stop at their warm and welcoming on-site café. Serving up hearty breakfasts, freshly made lunches, and homemade treats, it’s the perfect place to relax and refuel during your visit. on the menu is a classic full English, comforting soup, Toasties, wraps or a slice of cake with a cup of tea, there’s something for everyone—including a great kids’ menu.
For those with a sweet tooth, the café is home to the famous Hayloft Pudding Club—a much-loved event where guests can indulge in a rotating selection of traditional puddings and desserts. Think sticky toffee, treacle sponge, and custard galore!
👨👩👧👦 Great for Families
If you’re bringing kids, there’s more to do as well. They’ve got a covered play area (perfect for when the weather’s a bit unpredictable) and a few animals to say hello to—including goats and Shetland ponies.
🎃Pumpkin Patch
During Autumn and Halloween The Hayloft have their very own Pumpkin Patch, the proper sort where the pumpkins have been grown where you pick them and you have to take them off the plant. Grab a wheelbarrow and pick a good un. Just pay for what you want to take home and carve. Read more about Pumpkin Picking at The Hayloft Here
🎄Christmas Train Ride and Grotto
Each December, The Hayloft transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring:
A festive elves’ workshop, where children help make magical reindeer food to sprinkle on Christmas Eve.
A visit to Santa’s grotto, where kids hear a story and receive a gift.
A ride on the Miniature Christmas Railway to cap off the 45-minute experience
Visit July 2025
Comments