Greater Manchester is a vibrant metropolitan county in North West England known for its rich industrial history, cultural landmarks, excellent transport links, and world-famous football heritage.
Gulliver's World is a family-oriented theme park in Warrington with rides and attractions designed mainly for children aged 2 to 13, featuring multiple themed areas, indoor water play, and an indoor NERF arena as well as an on-site hotel and a WWII heritage centre.
The Galleries was a historic indoor shopping centre in Wigan town centre featuring over 50 retail stores across three sections, including the Marketgate Shopping Centre and Makinson Arcade. It closed in 2022 and is undergoing a major redevelopment to include new leisure and residential facilities.
Dunham Massey Hall is a Grade I listed English country house in Greater Manchester featuring historic formal gardens, a deer park, and a notable collection of Huguenot silver. The venue includes indoor experiences such as house tours and art collections, as well as outdoor experiences in its extensive gardens and deer park. It also commemorates its history as a World War I military hospital with immersive recreations. Visitors can enjoy food on-site and there are facilities and activities suitable for children.
Salford Shopping Centre is a large indoor shopping mall located in Pendleton, Salford, Greater Manchester. It features 81 stores, an indoor market, a Tesco superstore, Aldi, and KFC, offering a comprehensive retail experience in an urban setting.
Manchester Arndale is a major indoor shopping centre in Manchester, England, featuring over 210 shops, a large food court, and connections to major department stores. It is known as one of Europe's largest city-centre malls with extensive retail space and has undergone significant redevelopment since a major bombing in 1996. The centre attracts millions of visitors annually and offers a comprehensive urban shopping experience.
Stretford is a historic market town in Greater Manchester known for its rich industrial heritage, cultural landmarks, and as the home of Manchester United Football Club. It offers a walkable town centre accessible by train and local transport, with notable sport venues, parks, and a range of cultural experiences.
Marsden Moor Estate is a vast moorland area in the South Pennines offering outdoor experiences such as walking on the Pennine Way and exploring natural moorland habitats. It features historic transport archaeology and a visitor exhibition at the old goods shed near Marsden railway station.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
A seven-mile guided walk across the moor takes in views from Dinnerstones and Millstone Edge, a picnic stop at the ruins of Dowry Castle, reservoirs and the site of Roman Castleshaw.
Lyme Park is a large estate in Cheshire managed by the National Trust, featuring the largest house in Cheshire with Elizabethan and Palladian-Baroque architecture, extensive formal gardens and deer park, and historical indoor exhibits including the Lyme Caxton Missal. It also serves as a filming location and offers food facilities on site.
12 Oct–7 Nov (next week)
Explore an exhibition about five tree species at Lyme Park and their fungal associates, then follow a self-guided trail around the Top Lawn. On 17, 24 and 31 October, the exhibition curator will be available to answer questions and discuss the research.
Corn Exchange, Manchester is a historic Baroque-style building that originally served as a corn exchange and now functions as a vibrant food court with numerous food outlets in central Manchester. It retains its heritage as a grade II listed building and offers visitors an indoor dining and social experience in a unique architectural setting.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Author Livi Michael gives an online talk exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell used the Salem witch trials in her novella *Lois the Witch*, and how historical fact and Victorian fiction intersect in stories about witches.
Runcorn Shopping City is a large indoor shopping centre in Runcorn, England, featuring over 60 stores, multiple food outlets, extensive parking, and excellent public transport links. It serves as a central retail and social hub for the town.
Runcorn is an industrial town in Cheshire, England, known for its historic sites including Norman castles and monastic ruins, vibrant arts and culture venues, extensive green spaces, and innovative transport infrastructure including the world's first bus rapid transit system.
Ashton Arcades is a medium-sized indoor shopping centre in Ashton-under-Lyne with around 40 stores across two floors and a large multi-storey car park. Plans for expansion include additional retail space and a new tram station.
Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport is a large indoor retail complex featuring 95 stores over two floors with ample parking. It is built over the River Mersey and is owned by Stockport Council, offering a long-established shopping experience since 1970.
Castlefield Viaduct is a historic 330-meter-long former railway viaduct in Manchester, now transformed into an elevated sky park open to the public, offering a unique urban green space and heritage experience.
Tatton Park is a historic estate in Cheshire featuring a neoclassical mansion, extensive formal and natural gardens, a large deer park, and a working farm showcasing rare breeds. Visitors can enjoy indoor tours of the mansion, outdoor exploration of gardens and parkland, and family-friendly activities including a children's playground and various events throughout the year.
16 Oct (next Friday)
Participants learn wet-felting techniques and create a landscape image inspired by Tatton Park’s Japanese Garden, with expert tuition and a tour of the garden.
The Grand Arcade is a large indoor shopping centre in Wigan town centre featuring 39 retailers, a carbon neutral design, and cultural exhibits including a George Formby statue and memorabilia from Wigan Casino. It also offers food options and ample parking.
Wigan is a historic market town in Greater Manchester, England, known for its rich industrial heritage, Roman and medieval history, cultural venues, and sporting traditions including rugby league and football.
The Trafford Centre is a vast indoor shopping and entertainment complex in Greater Manchester, featuring around 200 stores, Europe's largest food court, a 20-screen cinema, and ornate neoclassical design. It offers a wide range of dining, leisure, and entertainment options suitable for visitors of all ages.
Eccles is a historic market town in Greater Manchester known for its rich textile industry heritage, historic architecture including the Parish Church of St Mary, and its famous Eccles cakes. It offers a walkable town centre accessible by train and local public transport.
Golden Square Shopping Centre is Warrington's primary indoor shopping destination, featuring a wide range of retail stores within a large floor area, well connected to public transport, offering a comprehensive shopping experience.
Warrington is a historic industrial town in Cheshire, England, known for its Roman origins, market town heritage, vibrant shopping centers, cultural venues, and outdoor green spaces. It offers diverse leisure, music festivals, museums, and rich local history.
Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire is a well-preserved historic textile mill from the Industrial Revolution, featuring working waterwheel machinery, factory and worker village tours, and exhibits on industrial heritage and child apprentices. It is operated as a museum by National Trust.
7 Oct–1 Nov, 4–8 Nov…
Explore Quarry Bank using the HistoryScapes app, which brings the history of the historic landscape to life through an outdoor trail. The pilot project aims to help visitors discover more about the site’s history.
Wilmslow is a historic market town in Cheshire known for its quaint town centre, rich cultural heritage, access to railway services, local festivals, and a variety of shopping and dining experiences including luxury car showrooms.