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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

What is there to do in manchester this week?

28 replies

Nixz · 14/08/2006 09:19

I have a 5.5DD and dont want to hit too many shops as 2 holidays have left me buying smart price rich tea fingers this summer!
We have been the cinema and will be visiting MSIM....what else???
All suggestions welcome.
Thanking you!

OP posts:
ledodgyrobespierre · 14/08/2006 09:25

What about the Lowry centre i've heard that's supposed to be brill. They have an art centre for children from 5 years of age here

gscrym · 14/08/2006 09:27

If you fancy a nice long walk, Heaton park is great. There are also some other big parks about.

Original poster
Nixz · 14/08/2006 09:31

ive been to the lowry centre, it was good but we couldnt stay there for more than about 1 1/2 hours before we run out of things to do - it is good though, a lot of the workshops are at weekends.
Where is Heaton Park?

OP posts:
gscrym · 14/08/2006 09:40

It's near Middleton, more Greater Manchester. I only know where it is because my friend lives near it. It has a bit where there are farm animals, a little train to go round it, a duck pond and other things too. If you google it, you should get directions.

Original poster
Nixz · 14/08/2006 09:42

Thanks.....keep em coming!

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 14/08/2006 09:45

do you mean city centre?

fennel · 14/08/2006 09:52

Wythenshaw park - has farm centre and "safari walk" with budgies and indoor waterfalls. as well as playground.

Manchester museum on Oxford road for dinosaurs and mummies.

Manchester city art gallery has good childrens sections.

Poynton Garden centre in the Stockport area, little train goes round it, they have a pottery shed too and various things on for children.

Ashton under mersey boat museum, think it's called Portland Basin, it wins prizes for child friendliness. you can ride on a canal boat and push lots of buttons to make trains go round tracks, etc.

Styal woods, good for a picnic and a paddle if you're not feeling urban.

Tatton park play area.

the manchester libraries have lots of sessions of things on in the holidays, mine enjoy those.
Whitworth art gallery art workshops.

cardy · 14/08/2006 10:02

Whereabouts in Manchester are you? do you have transport.

Things I have done with my 4.11 yo are:

Swimming - good for rainy days. The Aquatic Centre has family time every morning 10-12.

Lyme park - has activity for children on certain days. I went on a Wednesday.

The 'Miffy' exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery is good for a few hours followed by lunch on tampopo.

The science and industry museum (has a train ride).

Stockport Hat museum has workshops for 4-11 yo. My dd went to the kite making one and loved it.

Other parks: Bramhall park, Tatton park, Bruntwood park all have good play areas for children.

Reddish Vale country park has a small farm.

I'll give it some more thought and post again. In the meantime others' suggestions would be useful to me too!

Original poster
Nixz · 14/08/2006 10:02

yes, city centre.
Wow thanks Fennel!

OP posts:
Original poster
Nixz · 14/08/2006 10:05

Thanks Cardy, some good suggestions there!
I dont have a car for the week but there is plenty to keep me going in the centre by the looks of things!

OP posts:
cardy · 14/08/2006 10:48

Don't know about you but my dd likes just getting on a train/tram/bus etc...to go nowhere in particular. In fact she has gone with my mum to the Lowery today by tram.

Also I went to Urbis a while ago and it was OK, dd was proably a bit young at the time but that might be worth a try?

UrsulatheSeawitch · 14/08/2006 10:52

Here you go, Nixz - a website specially for you!

UrsulatheSeawitch · 14/08/2006 10:56

Look at this in Platt Fields Park (you'd have to wait until it was getting dark though)

Original poster
Nixz · 14/08/2006 10:57

that fire sculpture thing looks lovely!

OP posts:
Original poster
Nixz · 14/08/2006 10:59

Ursula - ooohhhh thankyou!!!!

OP posts:
FourJays · 14/08/2006 11:00

Manchester museum is great too. Lots of cool animals and mummies and a dinosaur!

FourJays · 14/08/2006 11:04

Great website Ursula. Cheers have bookmarked that!
Good to know about family time at aquatics, Cardy. My ds are 2 and 4. Can I take them both do you know?

cardy · 14/08/2006 11:09

Fourjays - I have this problem too. My dds are 5 next week and 2.5 I have only been on my own with dd1 (while dd2 was at nursery)DH came when both dds went. I was planning to take them both this thursday but was going to phone to make sure it was OK first.

fennel · 14/08/2006 11:14

you can take a 4 and 2 year old to the aquatics centre, yes. you can take two under 4's alone if it's to a family session there but not otherwise.

the toddler pool there is very shallow and safe with two small children, even sprightly toddlers.

FourJays · 14/08/2006 11:19

Cool. Cheers fennel.

cardy · 14/08/2006 15:28

Nixz - let us know what you decided to do and how it was.

My mum said the Lowery and the Imperial War museum were really good.

Original poster
Nixz · 15/08/2006 15:58

Thanks, i will let you know what i do - DP works in Manchester and we have a city apartment (perk of the job!) so we were gonna spend a few days over there in the next week or so to break the summer holiday boredom! If there is such a thing!

OP posts:
MerlinsBeard · 15/08/2006 16:00

you could awlays give your children a shopping challenge...a fiver each and they have to buy something furry,something green etc etc. onbv u will have to help your younger one but it will pass a few (hopefully) hours in the arndale!

cardy · 16/08/2006 10:31

I picked up at leaflet yesterday and there are some good things going on at Manchester Museum (the one that is near the University). There are organized activitites for 5+ and 8+, that look good fun. I think we'll go to one on Friday.

oliveoil · 16/08/2006 10:37

Daisy and Tom, the toyshop on Deansgate usually have story readings, face painting etc etc going on in there.

Aquatics pool is good, as others have said.

Primark - I know it is hideous but if you go early, you will miss the crowds and your dd could get a treat - I got mine a sparkly purse each for £2, so doesn't cost much.

Heaton Park is brilliant, the only thing it costs in the ice cream bribe from the van on the way in! Has animals and an adventure playground. Need car to get there however.