QUIET fireworks, pumpkin picking, potion making and free indoor play will launch The Ice Cream Farm’s upcoming fun for families this autumn.

The award-winning, rural Cheshire attraction is proving summer isn’t the only time for ice cream, with a calendar of events appealing to visitors throughout the chillier months.

CEO and owner of The Ice Cream Farm Jonathan Fell said: “Our visitors are diverse, and so the team has worked hard to make our autumn and winter schedule as inclusive as possible.

“We’ve got a ‘no bangs’ fireworks display for parents with younger children; free entry to our indoor sand and water attraction for families on a budget; dedicated SEN Santa’s Grotto sessions for little visitors who need a quieter festive experience; and new events at the world’s first Ice Cream Drive In next door.”

Kicking everything off will be Pumpkin Picking at The Ice Cream Drive In and The World of Wizardry at The Ice Cream Farm – the latter including a Special Educational Needs (SEN) session.

In celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary, visitors can have Lunch with Mickey Mouse at Sticky Paws on October 16.

To celebrate Bonfire Night there are Fireworks and Fun on November 4, a sold-out event.

Then the run up to Christmas begins at the end of November with The Ice Cream Farm’s biggest ever calendar of festive events, including Santa's Grotto and Elves' Workshop, Bottomless Breakfast with Santa, a Winter-themed Escape Room, Cookie Making with Mrs Claus and Storytime with Santa.

Jonathan added: “While I’m so pleased we’ve been able to add these fantastic events to our offering, I’m conscious that funds are stretched for some families this year.

“That’s why we’ve made Honeycomb Canyon indoor play area free to enter this winter; have a late afternoon reduced Entry Ticket price of £1; kept our annual Family & Friends Membership at £30 for four people; and organised a shuttle bus for the school holidays from Chester Train Station.

"We’ll also have a drop-off point at Admissions for the KidsBank Christmas Appeal for anyone wanting to donate gifts to this very worthwhile cause.”

The Tattenhall attraction, home to the Guinness Book of Records ‘World’s Largest Ice Cream Shop’, has opened new coffee outlets in recent months within two of the existing play areas thanks to a partnership with The Lost Barn near Malpas.

Managing Director Katie Lewis said: “The Coffee Barn, at our softplay, and The Coffee Pot, at the indoor sand and water play, have been developed to give parents and carers a treat for themselves while the kids burn off some energy on the indoor play attractions.

“Our hope is that by making the latter (Honeycomb Canyon) free this winter, and offering complimentary WiFi in The Fun Factory, parents will find a trip to The Ice Cream Farm more affordable, and consider us as a ‘third place’ to work while the kids are entertained.”