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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Manchester with DC aged 11 and 12

27 replies

DominiqueBernard · 27/12/2023 13:02

What is good to do in Manchester in the winter? First time in England for DC aged 11 and 13. We will go the football stadia, but would otherwise like to keep down costs. We are really up for sightseeing and happy to walk around (or use trams, etc.) Staying near St. Peter's Square.

Also any cheap but delicious places to eat. TIA.

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Original poster
DominiqueBernard · 27/12/2023 13:03

* Aged 11 and 12* (post Christmas sausage fingers).

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Lollygaggle · 27/12/2023 13:06

Entrance to museum is free but if there are special exhibitions (like the current one which should appeal to boys of this age group) there is a small charge. This is one of my favourite museums https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/

Home | Science and Industry Museum

We tell stories about ideas that change the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today and beyond.

https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/

Unescorted · 27/12/2023 13:08

Museum of Science and Industry ( free but they ask for a suggested donation)
People's Museum
Central library has an amazing kids section and also activities

Manchester city council do a "what's on" section on their website

grayhairdontcare · 27/12/2023 13:21

Lowery
Manchester museum
Trafford centre for Lego land , aquarium
Heaton park
Go ape
Escape room
City tour

fatbottomgirl67 · 27/12/2023 13:21

Pizza from Rudys or Franco Manca . Well priced and fabulous x

Gymmum82 · 27/12/2023 13:27

Football museum is good. MOSI. I wouldn’t bother with lego discovery or the aquarium both are rubbish and totally unsuitable for those ages.
There is a nice roller rink in the trafford centre if you’re planning on visiting there.
John Rylands library is free and a very impressive building. Very Harry Potter esq.

Whitchurch gallery often has things on for kids.
I love mowgli for food

Original poster
DominiqueBernard · 27/12/2023 17:19

Thank you so much to everyone!

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caffelattetogo · 27/12/2023 21:36

Manchester museum near the university is great, and free. The Egypt section is world class.

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 27/12/2023 21:58

Museum of Science and Industry

I think they're still doing a huge renovation project so not sure what's open at the moment ... but there used to be too much for one visit!

Chimchar · 27/12/2023 22:24

Another vote for the football museum...my older teen loved it.

We did an Alice in Wonderland escape room which is right next to the football museum. It wasn't cheap but was so good!

We ate here https://www.northernsoulmcr.com which was lovely and very informal.

Also ate here https://www.yardandcoop.com which was ace. They do offers if you go late afternoon.

The northern quarter is great for a wander around...great graffiti down the backstreets and lots of nice quirky shops to cater for most likes... art, fashion, comic book/Pokémon type stuff, 'vintage' clothing.

Chimchar · 27/12/2023 22:25

Forgot to mention...there is a place above a shopping centre with recreations of The Cube games...expensive to play, but fun to watch others.

Changingplace · 27/12/2023 22:29

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 27/12/2023 21:58

Museum of Science and Industry

I think they're still doing a huge renovation project so not sure what's open at the moment ... but there used to be too much for one visit!

It reopened earlier this year, all the renovations are finished, it’s all open :)

If you happen to be here for New Year’s Eve there’s a family friendly alcohol free DJs/fireworks event at Castlefield bowl, first come first served though and it’ll be busy.

There’s a few crazy golf places, the one on First St is good.

There has been an ice rink in town near the football museum but I’m not sure if it’s been taken down now.

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 27/12/2023 23:13

It reopened earlier this year, all the renovations are finished, it’s all open :)

Is it? The website says the Power Hall isn't due to reopen till spring 2025?

Easipeelerie · 27/12/2023 23:15

Eat at Rudy’s pizza.

Changingplace · 27/12/2023 23:31

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 27/12/2023 23:13

It reopened earlier this year, all the renovations are finished, it’s all open :)

Is it? The website says the Power Hall isn't due to reopen till spring 2025?

I completely misread your message as the Manchester Museum that’s been closed for renovations and reopened thus year 🤣🤦‍♀️

OuiOuiMonAmiJeMappelleLafayette · 28/12/2023 10:28

Indico Mailbox does tasty Indian food
And is reasonably priced.

Original poster
DominiqueBernard · 28/12/2023 21:26

Thanks again, everyone. Museum of Science and Industry was a massive hit. Sad that the JR library is closed.

Anyone know any decent pubs for families in the city centre, please? Hoping to have an earlyish pub dinner, but all the pubs we've passed look grim.

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Lollygaggle · 28/12/2023 21:31

Try Sam's chop house not a pub but a traditional Manchester experience. Will be busy but can book table https://www.samschophouse.com/

Gymmum82 · 28/12/2023 21:59

Society if it’s not too late

Gymmum82 · 28/12/2023 22:01

Yard and coop. Almost famous. Common. Rudys

Original poster
DominiqueBernard · 29/12/2023 16:52

Lollygaggle · 28/12/2023 21:31

Try Sam's chop house not a pub but a traditional Manchester experience. Will be busy but can book table https://www.samschophouse.com/

Thank you so much. Do you know if it's OK to eat at the bar (family of 4) and whether we can book that, please?

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Lollygaggle · 29/12/2023 16:55

No problems to eat at bar but may not allow children at bar , no problems to book as a family of four . Just say when booking where you want to go and they will let you know.

Gymmum82 · 29/12/2023 17:40

There’s no issues with eating in most places in Manchester with children that serve food. Just ask when you book

RedToothBrush · 29/12/2023 17:50

Do your kids like Japanese? Waku Waku is quirky but cheap. (It's a 2d comic theme - it's all black and white - Google it)

Original poster
DominiqueBernard · 30/12/2023 16:55

Lollygaggle · 28/12/2023 21:31

Try Sam's chop house not a pub but a traditional Manchester experience. Will be busy but can book table https://www.samschophouse.com/

We went here and it was great. Thanks again.

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