Pottery Corner
Chorlton
Beech Road’s pottery studio offers a very local excuse to sit down and get creative together. Check the pottery-painting sessions and booking options before visiting.
New places. Happy faces.
Places that are possibly worth going to in Manchester or nearby.
44 places
The Edge
Chorlton
Theatre, cinema, music and creative courses in Chorlton. Check the ages for individual events.
Stretford Public Hall
Stretford
A community-owned Victorian hall with creative sessions, gatherings and events. Check the programme for activities aimed at younger children before planning a visit.
Platt Fields Market Garden
Fallowfield
A community growing space with a monthly farmers market. Check public opening dates before visiting.
Z-arts
Hulme
A dedicated arts centre for children and families, with theatre, creative sessions and imaginative play.
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Hulme
A leafy community garden tucked into the city, with plants, a café and space to explore. Look out for family workshops and seasonal gatherings.
Minikin Art Café
Sale
A family-run pottery-painting studio for colourful creations, tiny handprints and a drink while you paint. Check booking arrangements and the dedicated session options.
Bean & Brush
Sale
An art café where a family café visit can turn into a pottery-painting afternoon. Choose something to decorate and check ahead for a table and current craft options.
Waterside Arts
Sale
Theatre, performances and family shows in the centre of Sale.
Ordsall Hall
Ordsall
A Tudor manor house with gardens, family trails and seasonal activities.
Wythenshawe Community Farm
Wythenshawe
A working community farm in Wythenshawe Park, with farmyard animals to meet. Combine a visit with the park for an easy outdoorsy day close to home.
The Whitworth
Oxford Road
Art, textiles and changing exhibitions on Oxford Road.
IWM North
Trafford Wharf
Explore how war affects people’s lives. Check family guidance for the themes and displays before visiting.
Manchester Museum
Oxford Road
Collections spanning nature, cultures and history, with family activities throughout the year.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Ardwick
Explore the home and garden of the Victorian writer, with family visits and seasonal activities.
Science and Industry Museum
Castlefield
Big machines, Manchester inventions and hands-on activities for little explorers.
Victoria Baths
Chorlton-on-Medlock
Colourful tiles, stained glass and an extraordinary old swimming-baths building. Plan around a public open day or family event; this is a heritage visit, not a daily swimming pool.
Aviva Studios
St John’s
Large-scale performances and exhibitions at Factory International’s Manchester home. Check suitability for each show.
People’s History Museum
Spinningfields
Stories of democracy and the people who worked towards a fairer world.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery
Salford
Explore art and local history, then wander the recreated Victorian street at Lark Hill Place.
Station South
Levenshulme
A café and community space in an old railway station beside the Fallowfield Loop. Combine a snack with a little bike ride or look out for family events.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Northern Quarter
Independent makers, studios and shops in the Northern Quarter.
Stoller Hall
City centre
Live music and concerts, including a programme of events for young listeners.
Levenshulme Old Library
Levenshulme
A former library turned neighbourhood arts space, with a changing mix of creative activities and community events. Pick a family session from the programme and make a little outing of it.
Manchester Jewish Museum
Cheetham Hill
Stories, objects and a restored historic synagogue, with a changing programme of creative activities. Family workshops can be a good way for younger visitors to explore.
Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
Cheetham Hill
A depot of vintage buses and transport treasures, with plenty of big wheels to inspect. Look out for special running days when historic vehicles take to the road.
Oyez Arts
Altrincham
A community arts programme in Altrincham’s historic town hall, opposite the market.
Hat Works
Stockport
A wonderfully specific museum about hats, headwear and the people who made them. Explore the collections and look for family activities in the programme.
Staircase House
Stockport
An old timber-framed house hiding beside Stockport’s market. Explore its rooms and unusual staircase, with family activities offered on selected dates.
Bramall Hall
Bramhall
A black-and-white Tudor manor with intriguing rooms, surrounded by parkland. Pair a booked house visit with a walk and time outdoors.
Dunham Massey
Altrincham
A Georgian house, seasonal gardens and an ancient deer park near Altrincham.
Heaton Park Tramway
Heaton Park
A little journey on a vintage tram inside a very big park. Check running dates before setting off; the depot, shop and museum are currently closed during improvement works.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
Worsley
A 156-acre garden in Worsley, with plenty of space for a day outdoors.
Portland Basin Museum
Ashton-under-Lyne
Step into a recreated 1920s street and discover local working life inside a canal warehouse. Add a short canalside wander for a change of pace.
Lancaster Park & Animal Farm
Chadderton
An animal-farm day out on the edge of Chadderton, with outdoor space to explore. Check seasonal opening and admission details before heading over.
Cockfields Farm
Ashton-under-Lyne
Farm animals, play spaces and seasonal family experiences. Currently open for selected events only, rather than general admission: choose a dated event and book before travelling.
The Met
Bury
Live theatre, music and children’s workshops in Bury.
Doodle Pots
Mossley
Choose a piece of pottery, settle in with paints and make something gloriously wonky. A small pottery-painting café for a slower, hands-on outing together.
Octagon Theatre
Bolton
Theatre and creative workshops in Bolton, including family sessions and seasonal shows.
Bolton Museum & Aquarium
Bolton
Freshwater fish downstairs, museum collections upstairs: a compact rainy-day adventure in the town centre. The aquarium is part of Bolton’s library and museum building.
Fireground
Rochdale
A former fire station full of firefighting history, engines and equipment. A good detour for children fascinated by rescue vehicles; check the museum’s opening days before travelling.
Dove Stone
Greenfield, Oldham
Reservoir views and big hills at Greater Manchester’s edge. Try a short waterside wander with little legs; the full reservoir circuit is around 4 km and includes some steeper sections.
Smithills Open Farm
Bolton
A hands-on farm outing with animals and a full programme of farm activities. Check the day’s timetable and ticket details to choose what suits your little ones.
Haigh Woodland Park
Wigan
Woodland wandering and a large adventure playground with slides, swings and climbing. Choose the smaller play equipment for younger children and leave time for a muddy stroll.